Students in the Archives

We often send students into the archives to do research for their honors theses. This year they went to archives in Portugal, Tasmania, and France, where they found fascinating materials. Can you guess which picture connects to which archival visit?

Lost Los Angeles: The Wine Capital of the World!

USC students in a history course had the chance to learn about the history of winemaking in Los Angeles. Unbeknownst to many, Los Angeles was a powerhouse in the industry in the 19th century (take that Napa), with vineyards dotting the landscape around Union Station and downtown. Here we are visiting Angelino Winery downtown, which still produces wine from grapes grown in LA County (sadly no wine tasting took place).

Angelino Winery

Drawing of the Sainsevain Winery on Aliso Street, Los Angeles, ca.1870

Courtesy of University of Southern California Libraries and California Historical Society

From USC Digital Library

Sunny Slope Winery in Pasadena, Los Angeles, ca.1899

Courtesy of University of Southern California Libraries and California Historical Society

From USC Digital Library

Dohney After Dark: Halloween in USC’s Special Collections

Every year we co-host a Halloween event with USC Libraries in Special Collections (where they house all the cool rare books and manuscripts). We pick a number of spooky items and set up ghoulish challenges for you to complete in teams.

Where You Stand: Chinatown, 1880-1939

Here are students examining the exhibit “Where You Stand, 1880-1939,” which highlights the fact that LA’s Union Station stands on top of its Old Chinatown. On this field trip, students were introduced to the topic by the history department’s own Prof. Deverell, who helped develop the exhibit.

 

“Portrait of “The Old Chinatown Blacksmith” in Chinatown, ca.1899”

Courtesy of University of Southern California Libraries and California Historical Society

From USC Digital Library

Crowds watch train celebrating completion of the new Union Station, 1939

Courtesy of University of Southern California Libraries

From USC Digital Library

Sex and the City: Exploring how Gender is Inscribed into the Fabric of London

Every year history students are given the opportunity to take a fully funded travel course, where they journey to a location chosen by the professor for a week. Here we see students exploring London in HIST 395: Sex & the City: Constructing Gender in London, 1700-1900.