Lonnie Bunch: Smithsonian director's mission ... A history of the people, for the people
It was by his grandfather's side that 4-year-old Lonnie G. Bunch III first saw the pictures. The photographs of several children, perhaps from the 1800s, were in a book his grandfather picked to read with him before din ner. The faces staring back at him had no names, nothing to identify them. Young Lonnie was mesmerized. He wanted to know more about the kids, where they came from, how they lived, if they were happy.
This was his first brush with history, the impetus that put him on a path of discovery and ultimately in an arena that would become his life's work.
Bunch is one of the nation's leading figures in the cultural-historical community. It's a distinc tion that has brought him a long way from Newark, where he was born, and Belleville, where he was raised, to be the founding director of the Smithsonian National Museum of African-American History and Culture in Washington, D.C.
In his nearly 30 years as a public historian, author, educator and cu rator of museums, Bunch has brought history to people. His efforts to make it relevant were recognized last night by the New Jersey Historical Society at its annual gala fund-raiser in West Orange.
Honors are not uncommon for a man of his stature, but this one is different.
"This is special," he said. "This one is from home. I'm unbelievably humbled. I'm honored in ways I can't describe."
Bunch, 55, said he has always been fascinated with helping people remember history, an interest that started from the pictures and a compelling thought from his late grandfather, Lonnie Sr.
"You can live your whole life, die and be anonymous," said Bunch, recalling his grandfather's words....
Read entire article at Star Ledger (NJ)
This was his first brush with history, the impetus that put him on a path of discovery and ultimately in an arena that would become his life's work.
Bunch is one of the nation's leading figures in the cultural-historical community. It's a distinc tion that has brought him a long way from Newark, where he was born, and Belleville, where he was raised, to be the founding director of the Smithsonian National Museum of African-American History and Culture in Washington, D.C.
In his nearly 30 years as a public historian, author, educator and cu rator of museums, Bunch has brought history to people. His efforts to make it relevant were recognized last night by the New Jersey Historical Society at its annual gala fund-raiser in West Orange.
Honors are not uncommon for a man of his stature, but this one is different.
"This is special," he said. "This one is from home. I'm unbelievably humbled. I'm honored in ways I can't describe."
Bunch, 55, said he has always been fascinated with helping people remember history, an interest that started from the pictures and a compelling thought from his late grandfather, Lonnie Sr.
"You can live your whole life, die and be anonymous," said Bunch, recalling his grandfather's words....