Abstract
We are surrounded by vestiges of a past that are no longer considered relevant. Specifically focusing on the territory of Geneseo, New York, there are landmarks all over that house narratives overlooked by those familiar with the present space. Uncovered with the right lens, these narratives are brought into the light, and Geneseo’s history is laid out before us. What my project attempts to accomplish is defining these vestiges, physical objects that existed before our time now, that remain under our noses. When history is forgotten, there will often not be a sign on a plot of land, or before a structure, that lays out the significant historical events it is tied to. This project invites those who have found space in Geneseo to not just look at their surroundings, but see past them as they existed before this new present environment. My hope for this project is that it can become a resource for the community, one linked online for people who are interested in navigating. So how can this abstract concept of tapping into a past that isn't familiar, be made accessible to those who seek it out? By matching old images of the current environment, to current images of the present environment, I hope to bring Geneseo’s many lives lived into the light for those looking to explore more about its history. I hope this lens, my ideal way of visual learning, can be adopted as a tool by surrounding museums and up-and-coming local historians.
Recommended Citation
Bernet, Hailey
(2026)
"Vestiges of Geneseo's Past: Narratives of Local Identity,"
Proceedings of GREAT Day: Vol. 17, Article 14.
Available at:
https://knightscholar.geneseo.edu/proceedings-of-great-day/vol17/iss1/14