Julian Abele ‘Out of the Shadows’ Virtual Symposium Now Online

The Department of History and Anthropology and Monmouth University hosted the fourth annual Julian Francis Abele "Out of the Shadows" Public History Symposium on Dec. 10 via Zoom.

A recording of the event is now available.

Led by Melissa Ziobro, curator for the Bruce Springsteen Archives and Center for American Music and adjunct professor of public history, "Out of the Shadows" featured discussions on Abele, the pioneering African American architect who significantly contributed to the design of Monmouth University's Great Hall, a National Historic Landmark.

The virtual event featured Rick Geffken, an independent scholar focusing on various aspects of New Jersey history, as the keynote speaker; Peter F. Rogers, a retired Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas judge, who presented "Julian Abele: In Photos"; and Bob Ashley, immediate past board chair of the Museum of Durham History, who highlighted Abele's work on the Duke University campus.

Tim Orr, executive director for campus planning and facilities management at the University, also discussed recent updates made to the Great Hall.

The symposium is designed to bring regular attention to Abele's story and to highlight work focused on other figures underrepresented in the historical record.