This page is no longer being updated and remains online for informational and historical purposes only. The information is accurate as of the last page update.
For questions about page contents, contact the Communications Division.
“I was motivated to do this project because I hope to go to graduate school and pursue a master’s degree in museum studies,” says Beverly Kendall, a senior history major from Rock Hall, Md., and a graduate of Kent County High School. “My previous museum experience and internships made it easy to see that was the career for me. This thesis fits neatly into what I want to do with my future.”
Beverly Kendall is helping create a museum exhibit that will shed light on the social history of Lafayette College’s home county in the early 19th century.
As part of her senior honors thesis in history, she is conducting research on material culture, compiling lists of household possessions and probate inventories in Northampton County, Pa., from 1800 to 1850.
“I’m pursuing this research in order to establish the lifestyle of the county’s residents during that era. The goal of the overall project is a comprehensive plan for a museum exhibit to reflect my findings,” Kendall explains.
She is working with adviser Deborah A. Rosen, associate professor of history, whose areas of specialization include American social history. Kendall’s work is impressive in both scope and quality, Rosen says.
“This is really an exciting project. Beverly is doing primary research with documents, many of which are handwritten, that I doubt anyone has ever looked at,” Rosen says. “She has established a wonderful professional working relationship with the Northampton County staff in downtown Easton. She’s doing serious work on par with graduate students. I’m really impressed with her approach.”
Kendall is particularly excited to be involved in a project that directly affects her future career plans.
“I was motivated to do this project because I hope to go to graduate school and pursue a master’s degree in museum studies,” she says. “My previous museum experience and internships made it easy to see that was the career for me. This thesis fits neatly into what I want to do with my future.”
Kendall is vice president of chapter development of her sorority, Delta Delta Delta.