Professor Carl Milofsky and students from SOCI 206: Video Ethnography craft together an ethnography film that explores a unique museum in the small town of Shamokin, Pennsylvania. Through this museum, a community unfolds their rich vibrant history.
Shamokin Fire History Museum: One Man, One Museum, One Community is created in memory of John Smith, a passionate town historian who created what is now the Shamokin Fire History Museum. Many years ago, Shamokin was an important and successful town because of the high demand for anthracite coal. Now, it is considered to be a distressed city after the decline of the coal industry. Several Shamokin residents discuss their experience with the local fire departments and the significance it has had in their lives and in the community. They see the museum as a symbol of community strength, unity, and camaraderie. This small town of Shamokin, Pennsylvania which consists of 7,200 people now have a Fire History Museum to honor its volunteers and give a voice to the town’s rich history.
Special thanks to Professor Carl Milofsky, Instructional Technologist Brianna Derr, and Bucknell students from Spring 2015 Sociology 206 Video Ethnography Course Laura Lujan, Stephanie Salazar, Michelle Lutz, Colin Sygrove, Connor Hayes, Abu Chowdhury, and Clayton McManus, for creating this video.
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