ALMA — Alma College has been awarded a grant through the Daughters of the American Revolution Legacy Grant Program to support a student-led public history initiative that will take place during the 2026–27 academic year.

The project, developed collaboratively by faculty and members of Alma’s History Club, will fund an immersive exploration of Revolutionary War–era history in Michigan, culminating in a campus and community history fair designed to share student research through interactive, public-facing programming.

This project gives students the chance to move from studying history in the abstract to engaging with it directly — through places, people, and public interpretation, said Charles A. Dana Professor of History Kristin Olbertson. It allows them to move beyond the classroom, engage directly with historical sites and experts, and then translate that knowledge into something meaningful for a broader audience.

The grant application itself was a fully student-driven effort, with History Club members taking the lead in developing the project vision, drafting the proposal, and outlining the budget in collaboration with campus partners. Faculty and staff, including the Department of History and the Advancement Office, provided guidance and revisions throughout the process.

History Club secretary Kay Keller helped coordinate the student effort and said the project reflects both collaboration and ownership among students.

We created the vision for what this project could be, said Keller, a history major from Owosso, Mich. That includes the trip itself, but also the history fair, where we’ll present what we’ve learned and show others how they can get involved in history-related careers. It’s something I wish I had experienced as a high school student.

The project will include travel to key historical sites in Mackinac City and Mackinac Island, where students will engage with museum professionals and examine how historical narratives are interpreted and presented to the public. Insights from those experiences will then be shared through a public history fair featuring interactive demonstrations of historical clothing, games, material culture, and other elements of everyday life in the Revolutionary era.

What’s most important is that this was a student-led effort from start to finish, Keller added. We worked collaboratively to plan the budget, define the goals, and think about how to make history engaging and relevant.

Assistant Professor of History Adam Matthews, faculty advisor for History Club, emphasized that the project reflects a broader commitment to experiential learning and professional preparation.

Opportunities like this allow students to develop professional skills that are valuable in any field, Matthews said. Grant writing, project planning, collaboration — these are experiences they can draw on when applying for jobs or graduate school. We give students the space to build that foundation themselves and then step in to help refine and strengthen their work.

The initiative also highlights the collaborative nature of the grant process, including contributions from student assistant Isabell Bryans and support from Alma College’s Advancement Office in shaping the proposal.

The DAR American Revolution Legacy Grant Program exists to support the kind of work that Alma College plans to do, and we are looking forward to seeing the students’ work, said Amy Adams, community classroom chair with the Jean Bessac chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution.

The project will officially launch in the 2026–27 academic year, with planning and preparation already underway across the History Department and History Club.

History as a field needs renewed energy and interest, Keller said. We want to make sure we’re having honest, accurate conversations about the past and preserving the artifacts and stories that shape our understanding of today. This history fair is about opening that door for others.