When Leadership Falls Short: The Crisis of Care in Library Work
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Revolutionary Ideas, Revolutionary Spaces
Posted on January 15, 2025 in Blog Posts
Authors:
Ashleigh Coren
I have a confession to make. As a native Bostonian, I have managed to go my entire life without visiting two of the city’s most iconic landmarks: the Old State House and the Old South Meeting House—now collectively known as Revolutionary Spaces. Previously, I actively avoided these historic sites. My reluctance was not due to a lack of interest in history but rather assumptions I had made about what these spaces represented: overly simplistic narratives, exclusionary storytelling, and a focus on ideals that felt disconnected from the present. Over the past few years, however, I have challenged myself to revisit these assumptions about some historic museums and their inclusivity. Instead of judging them from a distance, I have chosen to explore these spaces and engage with their stories firsthand. My recent visit to Revolutionary Spaces was an opportunity to do just that while reflecting on history, inclusivity, and the evolving role of civic engagement in museum spaces.
For the past few months, I have been serving on a committee focused on the upcoming 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence in 2026. During our discussions around the intersection of museums and civic engagement, a fellow committee member—shoutout to Matt—mentioned his involvement in casting reenactors for the 251st anniversary of the Boston Tea Party. His passion for this project reminded me of the historical gems I had yet to explore in my hometown.
I decided it was time to visit Revolutionary Spaces, not only to experience these historic sites but also to gather inspiration for how I might reframe the Declaration of Independence, moving beyond the traditional narrative of rebellious men fighting a common oppressor to a more nuanced exploration of how that moment shaped America’s political evolution and its complex relationship with power. The Old State House and the Old South Meeting House were focal points for the American Revolution, a historic moment that feels increasingly relevant every day.
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| One of my favorite examples of interpretation: the scent stations designed to evoke different locations in colonial Boston. |
Rather than framing the American Revolution solely as a story of courageous men rising up against a shared enemy, Revolutionary Spaces asks visitors to consider the broader context. How can we highlight the roles of women and people of color in this pivotal moment? How does the Declaration of Independence reflect the complexities of power and governance that continue to shape the United States today? These were the questions that guided my exploration. A huge highlight of my experience was the Impassioned Destruction: Politics, Vandalism, and the Boston Tea Party exhibit, which “invites visitors to consider other acts of property destruction in the context of the Tea Party.”1 This show excels in providing a comprehensive context for the Boston Tea Party, including its origins and aftermath, and also by illustrating how we can see parallels to subsequent movements like Black Lives Matter. Additionally, it highlights how the event remains an evolving benchmark for how Americans have understood and reinterpreted the American Revolution over time.
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| Visitors encountered these participatory installations. |
Visiting these spaces provided clear examples of how history can be interpreted in ways that resonate with contemporary audiences. Revolutionary Spaces does not just preserve the past, it invites visitors to grapple with it. The exhibits and programs encourage critical thinking about the founding ideals of the United States and their ongoing implications. By including diverse perspectives, these spaces are beginning to tell a more complete and inclusive story of the Revolution. As we approach the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, I am inspired by the potential for museums like Revolutionary Spaces to lead the way in reimagining how we engage with history. It is not about rewriting the past but about expanding our understanding of it, making connections to the voices and stories that have long been overlooked.
For those who, like me, have avoided certain historic spaces due to worries about inclusion, I encourage you to take another look. Revolutionary Spaces reminded me that good storytelling is dynamic, multifaceted, and, most importantly, ours to explore and reinterpret.
Notes
1. “Impassioned Destruction: Politics, Vandalism, and the Boston Tea Party,” https://revolutionaryspaces.org/explore/exhibits/impassioned-destruction/.
About the author:
Ashleigh Coren is a content strategist, educator, and curator based in the Washington, D.C. area.
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Header image is a detail of This is Harlem by Jacob Lawrence. Courtesy of Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden. © 2021 The Jacob and Gwendolyn Knight Lawrence Foundation, Seattle / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York. For more information, click here.