Building an Education in the Humanities in Southeast Ohio

This exhibit explores the early educational history of Athens County, spotlighting institutions and individuals who seized on or expanded humanities-based education, a theme especially important in today’s intellectual climate.

As you walk through the panels, you will find stories of the foundation of Ohio University by an act of Congress at a time when support for public education was very strong in the fledgling nation and how this set the precedent for future “frontier universities.” The exhibit also presents institutions that furthered humanities education, from the 1804 Coonskin Library to the local Carnegie Library, which served as the university library from 1905 to 1930 and as a center for literacy for the whole community.

You will also learn about the McGuffey Readers, a series of educational primers that was created by one of the university’s first presidents and quickly became the most popular primers in the 19th century. Displays also explore the experience of veterans who enrolled at Ohio University in response to state and nationwide initiatives that made higher education more affordable. 

In sum, this exhibit provides viewers an opportunity to reflect on the history of education in Southeast Ohio and to ponder the cultural value and accessibility of humanities-based education.