WATCH: WFMZ Highlights Muhlenberg Research Project

The College received a grant to explore the founding of the original Allentown Public Library, which opened in 1912. Sophia Framm ’24 and Yuyang (Hector) Chen ’23 worked as research assistants on the project.

 Monday, July 1, 2024 01:10 PM

Two college students sit in a library and handle a fragile archival newspaper carefullySophia Framm ’24 and Yuyang (Hector) Chen ’23. Still used with permission from WFMZ.

WFMZ recently came to the Allentown Public Library to interview Sophia Framm ’24, Yuyang (Hector) Chen ’23 and Head of Special Collections & College Archives Susan Falciani Maldonado about a research project that examined fundraising efforts that paved the way for the Allentown Public Library. Framm, a mathematics and history double major, and Chen, a history major and studio art minor, served as research assistants; the project was co-helmed by Associate Professor of History Lynda Yankaskas.

The WFMZ story (which can be seen here) details the rediscovery and conservation of a special women’s edition of The Morning Call newspaper. Created by women employees of Hess's department store in 1908, the edition was meant to raise money for the library project. The work, which took place during the 2021-2022 academic year, was supported by a $10,000 Humanities Research for the Public Good grant from the Council of Independent Colleges (CIC).