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BRISTOL, R.I. – After a highly competitive application process, Roger Williams University History professor Kristin Gallas received one of two prestigious Coffeehouse Fellowships. 

Gallas’s fellowship, titled Whose History, Whose Voice? The Future of Interpreting Enslavement at Historic Sites, will unite public historians, curators, interpreters, and workers at sites of enslavement nationwide to discuss the theoretical and practical aspects of interpreting enslavement. 

“It's really a great opportunity for my work because it's going to pull together folks from all over to help think about what's next in how we tell stories of slavery at museums and historic sites,” said Gallas. “It will be great for me to hear from people who are all across the country on site at these properties, what stories they're telling, what problems they're confronting, what they need to know, where they are, and where they see the field moving.”

The fellowship will also aid in the research and writing of her upcoming book, Interpreting Enslavement at Museums and Historic Sites (Bloomsbury Publishing).  The new book will utilize the latest practices of interpreting the history and legacies of African chattel slavery by  exploring concepts of empathy, agency, inclusivity, humanity, and integrity.  It will also examine how this Historical field will be pushed forward in the coming years. 

Preserving the history of slavery is essential, and this work will help Gallas further her research in the field, with the potential to influence how she teaches her students moving forward. 

“It's essential to the story of American history. It's essential to the story of Rhode Island's history. It's essential to the story of 91��������'s history and the millions of people who were enslaved in the colonies and in this country. They deserve to have their stories told. Theirs is just as important as anybody else's history.”