"Stories, Not Objects" and "No Story Left Behind"

 

    The loss of culture and cultural practices is detrimental. Especially in the United States. There are so many examples of the blatant erasure of culture through whitewashing, mis-telling history, and through the glaring ways that those in privilege strike out the culture of others. Today, through so many banned books, so many writers censored, and so much media discourse, preserving personal histories is all the more important. 
    When I traveled abroad in Melbourne, I was amazed and touched by the way in which they consistently and thoughtfully included the histories of the Aboriginal culture and tribes. Consistently, they would also admit their wrongdoings, and how they acknowledged the original owners of the land. This often came as a statement before each class, special events that commemorated traditions, and different ways to learn about these traditions. It was not perfect, but it was still an immense effort to try and preserve these histories that were so important to Australia's history. Constantly, those in privilege were preserving the history that they had previously stripped by giving the individuals their voices to tell their own stories. 
    In contrast to the United States, where Indigenous tribes are still fighting for their land rights, or even some recognition of their history. Where there is a constant pushback against preserving black history, and a consistent erasure of LGBTQ voices. It is a wild contrast. Nowhere could ever be perfect. But every day, it is frightening to see so many stories being struck from history. 
    However, it is so important that in the face of all of these things, that there is hope. And that there are people willing to work for that hope. I was interested to find a foundation here in Baltimore that preserves personal stories. A few lines of their mission spell it out clearly, "Stories Not Objects", and "No Story left Behind". 
    The Peale Museum is the foundation behind this non-profit mission. The museum is different than a typical historic or cultural site, and its work is concerned with preserving these voices that you might not get to see in museums. 
    The Peale explains another important part of their mission, "The Peale does not collect objects, but stories-memories, experiences, community recollections. We are not just defined by the unique history of this space but continue its legacy of adapting to the city’s needs by democratizing power and access to space, knowledge, and historical narrative." 
    The Peale is unique in the sense that it is not just a space for the community to contribute to Baltimore's legacy through creative endeavors and through connecting with others in Baltimore that want to do the same. 
    What interested me the most about this passion project was their own words and dedication. "Everyone’s story matters to Baltimore’s cultural legacy. Baltimore is one of the oldest cities in the United States, but systematic erasure, rewriting, and falsification has resulted in an inaccurate historic record that does not represent the full diversity of Baltimoreans’ voices and experiences," The Peale said. 

    It goes beyond collecting relics and storing them up. While that is still important, The Peale is more interested in preserving Baltimore's history through the voices that are here and in investing in amplifying them. 

    The Peale also has a compiled collection of some of these stories that I will link here. What makes these voices unique is that it is a blend of stories that accompany what's on physically in the museum. however, these stories are pieces of a greater history that might have been forgotten if not for the Peale's dedication to uncovering them. The stories are found in the places people might not typically look. One story for example follows black female leaders in Baltimore City. Another talks about art in Baltimore but through the murals and graffiti. There are rich histories in the city that go beyond what is held within history books, and the Peale is determined to uncover it. 

Here is more about the Peale's mission in preserving history that isn't always taught.