Dr. Paul Niell Lectures at Goodwood Museum and Gardens

In early January, Associate Professor Paul Niell gave a lecture at Goodwood Museum and Gardens reporting on the results of his 2018 graduate seminar’s research projects. For the seminar, “Plantation Architecture and Landscapes of Florida and Beyond,” Goodwood Museum served as an art historical research laboratory. The class explored the site’s artifacts, history, and architecture, and proposed new ideas for visitor experiences. The course considered the intersection of race, class, and culture in the southern U.S. plantation setting. Working with material in situ, the class had the opportunity to apply new methods and research practices unavailable in the limits of the seminar classroom. Research foci ranged from ceramics, mirrors, murals, and staircases to floor plans, outbuildings, gardens, and museum didactics. In his lecture, Professor Niell summarized the goals of the seminar and the ways in which his students approached the many issues of historic plantation landscapes and museums. He proposed new opportunities for Goodwood to expand its museum narrative. This talk was part of the museum’s Friday Lecture Series.

Dr. Niell’s Plantation Architecture and Landscapes of Florida and Beyond Seminar Students at Goodwood Museum and Gardens