Mapping Freedom Program Teaches about History in a Digitized Format

In the summer of 2023, York College of Pennsylvania students Sydney Slack and Alaina Crowell participated in the research project at the University of Southern Mississippi.

Mapping Freedom, a National Science Foundation Research Experience for Undergraduates, is a University of Southern Mississippi research experience that uses mapping technologies to explore societal transformations in history. It aims to provide academic enrichment, professional development, and the opportunity to build lasting connections as students prepare for graduate school and future endeavors.

Two York College students who participated in Mapping Freedom last summer, seniors Sydney Slack and Alaina Crowell, enjoyed those benefits and more.

Blending science and history

Sydney, a dual major in History and Forensic Chemistry, discovered Mapping Freedom through an email forwarded by Corey Brooks, Ph.D., Chair of the History and Political Science Department. Intrigued by the prospect of blending her passions for science and history, Sydney saw this as a chance to create educational tools in a new environment while collaborating with a diverse group of individuals.

For Sydney, who enrolled at the College as a Forensic Chemistry major, Mapping Freedom became a pivotal experience in shaping her academic trajectory. The program utilized the written correspondence database of the Civil War & Reconstruction Governors of Mississippi Project, from which participants developed unique projects based on their individual findings.

“The ‘harder’ skills I learned, such as GIS (geographic information systems), are probably not things I will use with any sort of regularity in my career,” says Sydney, who hopes to work in the field of museum education. “But the presentation skills, website design, critical thinking, and synthesizing information are all things that are applicable to any occupation, especially mine.”

Throughout the two-month program, Sydney and her peers created diverse projects that showcased the richness of their exploration into historical archives. The program culminated in a research symposium at which participants presented their findings.

The Mapping Freedom program wasn’t just about academic exploration, according to Sydney. It was a journey into independence and personal development. Being away from home for an extended period for the first time, she found the experience challenging but ultimately enriching, helping her to be more comfortable with solitude and self-reflection.

Finding patterns in history

Alaina applied to the program as a Public History major. Motivated by an interest in the Reconstruction period, they focused on digitizing letters from the Civil War, providing a fresh perspective as the first cohort to explore and analyze these digitized materials. The program exposed Alaina to interdisciplinary methods, including GIS systems, mapping, coding, historical research, paper formatting, and library science.

“I ended up focusing on religion and violence,” Alaina says. “I noted a pattern in letters that there would be churches burned or people would be mailing each other about days of fasting and prayer.”

Through the mapping technologies and historical research, Alaina visualized the locations mentioned in the letters, adding a spatial dimension to the analysis. Mapping Freedom not only broadened Alaina’s academic horizons but played a crucial role in the decision to pursue graduate studies.

“I never thought that I was going to go to grad school,” Alaina says. “I thought there was this huge cost obstacle until I went to this program. They really pushed us to go to grad school. Talking to peers, I realized there are options.”

Alaina’s experience led them to focus on learning more digital skills to better prepare for graduate school. Mapping Freedom, with its emphasis on digital history, showcased the evolving nature of historical research and presentation methods in the technical realm. 

For Sydney and Alaina, the Mapping Freedom experience was not just an academic endeavor. It equipped them with valuable skills, confidence, and a network of like-minded individuals as they explored and mapped the complexities of historical narratives.