MA Student Maggie Weatherwax discusses the process of making newspaper clippings into a 3D exhibit and highlights what this tells us about the physical scope of J.A. Roger’s work. 
 

This free public lecture will be given at the Gorgas House Museum on February 14, 2026 at 1:00 p.m. 

Visit the Gorgas House Museum until February 28, 2026 to see the "Decoding Diaspora" exhibit. “Decoding Diaspora” is a hands-on, multimedia exploration into the stories we tell about the places where we find ourselves. At the Gorgas House Museum from February 3-28, 2026, this exhibit will showcase a rare early-to mid-20^th century collection of Joel Augustus Rogers’ Facts About the Negro. Through this, Dr. Richard Newton displays how Religious Studies scholars are using digital tools and social theory to enhance our understanding of identity.

Follow his student research team as they investigate his family’s mysterious scrapbook, the myths of a once-influential writer, and a mythic history of our fractured world. Featuring GIS, a digital timeline, text visualization, sonic archivism, and 3-D printed artifact reproductions, come learn about why–for some peoples– the past isn’t past.

This exhibit and connected lectures are in collaboration with The University of Alabama’s Barefield College of Arts & Sciences, Department of Religious Studies, REL Digital Lab, Research & Economic Development, and University Libraries.