GSEHD faculty member Dr. Lotte Lent recently presented a research poster at the DC History Conference titled (Re)Activating Resistance: Interpretation and Multiple Truths about Black Lives Matter Plaza in Washington, DC.
The presentation explored how public spaces can serve as sites of memory, dialogue, and interpretation. As part of the exhibit, Dr. Lent featured a vitrine displaying a foot-long artifact from the letter “R” of the Black Lives Matter street mural, creating an opportunity for viewers to engage with questions of history, place, and collective memory.
Her work highlighted the importance of interpreting contemporary historical moments and examining how multiple narratives shape public understanding of events and spaces. By bringing a physical artifact into the conference setting, the presentation encouraged conversation about preservation, meaning-making, and the evolving role of public history.
The conference was also notable for the strong presence of Museum Education Program (MEP) alumni, including graduates from the classes of 2008, 2023, and 2024. Their participation underscored the program’s intergenerational impact and ongoing engagement with cultural heritage initiatives in Washington, D.C.
Dr. Lent’s presentation reflects GSEHD’s commitment to advancing scholarship and practice in museum education and public history, particularly in ways that foster inclusive dialogue and deeper connections to place.