Research

Before the painting could even begin, groups conducted investigative research to determine which scenes and themes from North Carolina environmental justice history should be represented in the mural.

The research process began in the Rare Book Room of the Davidson College Library. Here, students looked through hundreds of papers and images kindly provided by Research and Archive and Special Collections librarians.

Students were shocked to find that Davidson and its surrounding areas had such a profound environmental justice history.

Interest in the history of hog farms, indigenous lands, Lake Norman, asbestos and cotton mills in Davidson, and the events of Warren County was shown by many groups.

Each group attended a follow-up session, diving deeper into their respective interests. These sessions included closer readings and a specific focus on images that could serve as inspiration for the mural.