This semester as part of the Center for Public Humanities, I returned to the ongoing work of writing stories in place for the new Harrisburg Historical tour site which is the latest part of the Digital Harrisburg Initiative. More specifically, my work was on the story of the Black laborers who built Fort Couch during the Confederate march toward Harrisburg in the Civil War. In what is present-day Negley Park in Lemoyne, Black laborers under the leadership of the Union Army built a fort to protect the Harrisburg area from an incoming Confederate invasion. The resulting inclusion of the local Black population to serve in protecting the city was a notable step in the journey to recognition, visibility, and dignity for the much-maligned Black population in the United States.
This is my second time returning to the Center for Public Humanities to contribute to the ongoing Harrisburg Historical series, where our research of subaltern communities in the Harrisburg area is presented to the public in an approachable and polished manner. Previously, I wrote a story on the time that abolitionist Frederick Douglass visited Harrisburg and was violently ejected by a racist mob, which is currently available on the Harrisburg Historical website. Being involved with the Center for Public Humanities has been a rewarding experience. Without the research and investigations into local history, I would not have been aware of the Harrisburg area’s rich history of activism and resistance. In my own research, I was surprised to know that Douglass came to Harrisburg. My involvement in the CPH has made me more aware and proud of the history of the Susquehanna Valley, retelling stories centering the voices and perspectives of overlooked groups.
More personally, working in the CPH has been an excellent opportunity to develop professionally. In publishing these stories in place, I have been able to improve my writing and research skills. Working on a public-facing project has allowed me to be more adaptable in my communication, creating material that is both informative and approachable. The skills I have used and refined this semester have served me well, allowing me to create a published article I can present as a product of my own writing and research. None of this could have been accomplished without the guidance of Dr. David Pettegrew. His advice in the editing and research stages has been invaluable in the project, from directing me to sources to removing Grammarly’s notorious yellow underlines. I plan on using the lessons and skills I learned in the CPH to do research, write, and continue to tell stories and advocate for those less heard in society.
Dominic Gomez is a Senior at Messiah University graduating with a degree in Politics & International Relations. He plans to continue his work in research and advocacy by working in the non-profit sector relating to issues of humanitarianism and development in the Washington, DC area.
Digital Harrisburg 