Lighting Lesson - Night at the Museum by Morgan Hahn

Morgan Hahn - Lander, WY, USA

mhahn44 — 2025-02-19 17:55:02 UTC

My artifact is our family sourdough starter! My family has used the same starter for over 100 years and food has always been central to connection in our family. This is a tradition passed on from the original sourdough, which came from Sheila Whitlock, my great-grandmother. Nana grew up during the Great Depression, which, while meant that families had to be frugal and resourceful in order to survive; both during the Depression and during difficult winters! For this reason, sourdough pancakes, which require flour, 1-2 eggs, and a small amount of sugar, were a staple “treat” breakfast during this trying time in American History. Long after the Depression, this tasty and resourceful breakfast food has been a center point of meals during times of joy and celebration, heartache, and hardship.

Madison, WI

2025-02-20 00:09:27 UTC

James Baldwins Letter to his nephew

South Carolina

2025-02-20 00:10:28 UTC

My family artifact is my great grandmother’s Bible. She got it as a young girl, read it daily, and I loved hearing her tell stories from it. However, she also used it to record our family events. Not just big things, like births and weddings, but small events too. On one page it would record my first steps were taken and the next passage would have a notation that she was reading it when she heard Kennedy was shot. Through it, I see my families history alongside what was happening across America through her life.

Alabama

2025-02-20 00:10:42 UTC

My grandmother’s apron symbolizes southern traditions of home and culture. A tradition based upon slave culture.

Lower East Side, Manhattan, New York, NY

2025-02-20 00:11:34 UTC

My great grandfather who was a Jewish immigrant from Russia created kosher knives as his trade. They were very artful however and inspired future generations of our family to pursue careers in the arts. His story connects to the larger theme and importance of immigration in our country.

Newark, DE

2025-02-20 00:12:44 UTC

I pride myself on living a minimalistic lifestyle since my family did not pass down or keep anything we used to have. Historic time periods like the Great Depression taught people to value simplicity and resilience without being attached to material things. This has helped me heal and build resilience as well!