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The Magna Carta came to Pitt State for the first time this month and the exhibit is on display on the third floor of Axe Library. The exhibit was scheduled by the Student Government Association (SGA) and will stand on display from Monday, Sept. 10, to Friday, Sept. 28.
The Magana Carta exhibit originated by the U.S. Library of Congress, supported by the American Bar Association and other entities, as a celebration in 2015 for the Magna Carta’s 800-year anniversary. The Magna Carta influenced significant government documents within the United States, such as the U.S. Constitution. This exhibit was made in Washington, DC, and traveling exhibits were created from the original, traveling to different U.S. states since 2015.
More than 50 students and faculty will visit from Neosho Friday, Sept. 14, to tour campus and the Axe Library with Stephen Harmon, associate history professor, who will present about the Magna Carta.
“I like to think of it as an exhibit for the whole of the university and we’re hosting it here in Axe Library where we make it available for faculty and students,” said Randy Roberts, dean of Axe Library. “And we appreciate the opportunity to kind of post it on behalf of the whole of the university and make it available and we’re really excited that we have a number of student groups from Neosho coming from Baxter Springs-Galena area and others that will come and see the exhibit.”
Students, faculty, staff, and community members are welcome to visit the exhibit for free; it is open and available for viewing on the Axe Library third floor Monday through Thursday 7:30 a.m. to 11 p.m., Friday 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday noon to 5 p.m., and Sunday noon to 11 p.m.
“We invite anyone to come and learn about this well-done exhibit,” Roberts said.
The exhibit provides information that visitors can take with them, such as a booklet on the U.S. Constitution. Teachers and others interested in this exhibit can also pick up worksheets with questions that are based on each of the 16 panels featured.
The Axe Library values the importance of the Magna Carta exhibit, displayed for students of all ages as well as the community, as it is an opportunity to connect with American history. This exhibit shows the connection between history and how documents like the Magna Carta have influenced America today.
“It is important for our students and for people in general to have curiosity about history and where we are today,” said Jorge Leon, learning outreach librarian. “What are the things that have evolved to have gotten us here, also what have been the concerns of the citizens, what are the things that created these documents of the Magna Carta that kind of evolved to even where we are today nowadays.”
