Heely Scholars in Archival and Historical Research

Heely Scholars in Archival and Historical Research is intended for rising seniors who have demonstrated a keen interest and ability in their study of American history. The program includes a two-week summer session and an Advanced Research Seminar in the fall. Heely Scholars in Archival and Historical Research are introduced to primary research from collections in the School’s Stephan Archives and through excursions to other research institutions. Through the course of their investigation, Scholars:

• Develop a culminating senior thesis in the fall as part of the Advanced Research Seminar
• Present a group project during the academic year on a topic of relevance to the Fourth Form history curriculum
• Enhance community awareness and use of Stephan Archives through digitized exhibits, documentary films, podcasts, and Master Classes for parents
• Craft instructional tools and curriculum that may be adopted by future visitors to the Stephan Archives

Sample Heely Scholars in Archival and Historical Research projects have included:

Investigation of World War II

Scholars profiled School leadership through the war years; studied perceptions of Japanese students in attendance at Lawrenceville; detailed how the administration implemented a “wartime program” academic curriculum, moral education, and physical training; and highlighted the experiences of Lawrenceville students while in prisoner-of-war camps and after returning home. Scholars also conducted archival research during a spring break trip to Europe, including at the Imperial War Museum and the Emanuel School in London, England.

Cultural trends of the 1960s

Scholars utilized the archives to generate research on how Lawrenceville compared to other campuses that were being jolted by the cultural trends and events of the 1960s. The final collaborative project was a podcast that the Scholars crafted from the oral histories of various members of the community. The audio recordings and transcripts of the oral histories were donated to the Stephan Archives for use by future researchers.

Cherokee Nation

Scholars considered the observations of Alexis de Tocqueville, who may have passed the School’s predecessor, the Lawrenceville Academy, during his early 19th century visit to America. Scholars attempt to discern what he would make of the School’s rich history and ties to the antebellum reform movements, slavery, and the Cherokee Nation. In addition to the curriculum developed for use by history classes, the scholars also produced a documentary film of the era utilizing a sound treatment of archival documents.

"The Heely Scholars program was my most profound academic experience during my time at Lawrenceville. The opportunity to learn how to analyze primary source material, glean historical themes, and communicate newfound insights prepared me well to conduct further archival research at the National Geographic Society and Georgetown University Archives. The program effectively demonstrates how the Stephan Archives remain a critical means of understanding how Lawrenceville became the institution it is today."

Bobby Vogel ' 18