Three Journeys: One Project

Abstract

The Bethel Project is about the history of Indianapolis’ oldest black church, archival records, preservation technologies, virtual experiences, and collaboration and co-creation among many different departments, heritage institutions and community members. This paper provides three perspectives on this project from individuals who’ve worked closely together over the past four years. This may seem like a long while to work on one project but for those whose research is community-based it seems about right. Three unique voices will be presented with each telling their own narrative of what she thought when the project started and how her thinking has changed until now. Andrea Copeland is an associate professor in the School of Informatics and Computing whose research focuses specifically on public libraries, community collections, and engagement. Kisha Tandy is the associate curator of social history at the Indiana State Museum who researches African American history and culture. At the center of the project is Olivia McGee Lockhart: Bethel AME Church of Indianapolis’ Keeper of History, Indianapolis native, and an Indianapolis Public Schools educator for nearly four decades.