WILMINGTON ARCHIVES PROJECT (WAP) is a community-oriented digital project at the University of Delaware. Funded by the IHRC as a pilot initiative in 2018, WAP has launched six new and redesigned courses taught by UD faculty and Wilmington partners, with the goal of collaborating with various communities to create digital archives and digital storytelling that documents Wilmington’s histories and lived experiences. With the support from UD Library staff and faculty guidance, the students are given the opportunity to contribute to the development of this new archive designed for Wilmington and the broader public.   

• Anne Bowler
• McKay Jenkins
• Michael Kalmbach (co-PI)
• David J. Kim (co-PI)
• Victor Perez
• David Teague
• Margaret Winslow
• UD Library: Nico Carver
• Interdisciplinary Humanities Research Center: Ann Ardis (former dir.), Tracy Jentzsch, Julie McGee (dir.)

ART in the COMMUNITY

The Creative Vision Factory (CVF) is a peer-run arts space that provides social services and resources for creative endeavors for its members. The students in the courses taught by Anne Bowler and Michael Kalmbach (dir. CVF) help to create the digital archive of artists’ works and digital stories on community murals throughout Wilmington.

WILMINGTON 1968

In 2018, organizations throughout Wilmington and Delaware formed Wilmington 1968, a yearlong reflection of the National Guard’s occupation of Wilmington following the assassination of Dr. MLK, JR. Joining this remembrance and the initiative for call to action, the students in the courses taught by Margaret Winslow (curator, Delaware Art Museum), David Teague and David Kim helped to create the digital archive of the images of this history. 

SOUTHBRIDGE and BEYOND 

The Southbridge neighborhood of Wilmington has faced many environmental issues, including frequent flooding and poor air quality. Building on Victor Perez’s ongoing research and involvement with organizers and activists in the area, the students interviewed the members of the community to develop digital stories. McKay Jenkins redesigned his Environmental Journalism course for the students to investigate environmental issues in the area, including the Vulcanized Fiber Factory in Hockessin, Delaware.