YSU Students to Unveil Exhibit at McKinley Memorial
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio -- A new exhibit researched, designed and assembled by Youngstown State University graduate students will be unveiled Wednesday at the National McKinley Birthplace Memorial in Niles. The exhibit features two cases that highlight the presidential campaigns of President William McKinley, born in Niles.
YSU graduate students in a museum curation class taught by professor Marcelle Wilson spent four months gathering rarely seen political memorabilia they found in the archives. During their research, the students discovered some items relating to the campaigns were produced by local businesses.
Tile manufacturer American Encaustic Tiling Co. Ltd. of Zanesville produced portrait tiles for the 1895 Republican State Convention. Two commemorative canes were produced, one by the Falcon Tin Plate and Sheet Co. in Niles, the other by Winfield Manufacturing Co. of Warren.
Samantha Basile, curator of collections at the museum, said, “The exhibit showcases never before seen artifacts as well as previously displayed campaign memorabilia.” Some items are from the Bechtel Collection purchased in 2010. In addition to the new exhibit, the museum has restructured previously displayed cases.
The museum will be open for self-guided tours during the reception and refreshments will be provided. The students will be on hand to answer questions regarding the new exhibit. The public is invited to view the exhibit and attend the opening reception from 1 to 3 p.m. Wednesday in the auditorium of the memorial.
The museum is free and open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Tours may be arranged for other times by calling the museum at 330 652 4273.
SOURCE: YSU News Center
Published by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.
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