The Henderson Library on the Georgia Southern Statesboro campus is hosting "Bearing Witness to the Holocaust: Remembering, Representing, Reframing," an exhibit curated by graduate English students at the university. The exhibit explores public memory practices in Germany and the United States, focusing on their Holocaust memorials and museums.
The exhibit opened on Monday, December 2, 2024. Students involved in the project, alongside their professor, Dr. Lisa Costello, welcomed visitors to view the exhibit for the first time. Family and friends attended to support the graduate students.
Graduate student Hailey Bowen encouraged everyone to visit, regardless of their prior knowledge of the topic. “The information and rhetoric we present support an important way to critically engage with the world and inspire anyone to look at and remember history differently. This kind of critical thinking and engagement is crucial to preventing something like this from happening again.”
The exhibit showcases research developed during and after a September 13–14, 2024, trip to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C. Students also participated in a virtual exploration of the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe in Berlin as part of their coursework.
“It was interesting to study a moment in history in a different context,” said class member April Trepagnier. “Instead of starting with classroom literature, we were able to be in a space, like a museum, and approach the stories of these people, these women, in a different light.”
She noted the importance of uncovering untold or overlooked narratives from Holocaust survivors, which are often overshadowed by traditional stories of war heroes. “There are so many definitions of heroism, and that’s part of what this project helped me to understand.”
The impact of physical spaces on memory became a key theme of the project. Liz Williams, a student from Savannah, focused her research on this concept. “After my experiences at the museum, it just brings your attention to all of these things you may never have noticed before. Walking down the street [in Savannah], for example, it’s easier to notice whose stories are shared loudly and whose stories are quieter, going unnoticed. ‘We’re hearing the same stories over and over again. What’s going unsaid? Who is being left behind in these narratives?’ This class opened my eyes to that.”
For Liz, this perspective has become part of how she continues to "bear witness" to the Holocaust. Her biggest takeaway? “The choices we make in education can be really, really powerful. We need to make a greater effort, and I hope to encourage my future students to seek out the historical stories left behind, to share those narratives, and give a new voice to what’s been forgotten.”
Dr. Costello emphasized the exhibit’s impact on visitors. She hopes it inspires reflection and action.
“Remembering those who died is primary, but it’s also important to understand how the past affects the present and how the present is always infused with past trauma and history. It’s not only a learning experience but a catalyst for being a better person and doing good in the world.”
"Bearing Witness to the Holocaust: Remembering, Representing, Reframing" will remain on display at the Henderson Library through March 2025. A formal reception is scheduled for International Holocaust Remembrance Day on Monday, January 27, 2025. A version of the exhibit will open on the Armstrong campus in March 2025.
The Henderson Library is located on the Georgia Southern Statesboro campus at 1400 Southern Dr., Building 208, Statesboro, GA 30458. Click here for current library hours.