Posted: March 26, 2025
The Pasto Agricultural Museum at Penn State is excited to announce the launch of "Land & Legacy: A History of the Russell E. Larson Agricultural Research Center and its Landholders," an interactive StoryMap project that explores the research center’s historical development and the personal histories of the farms and families that once owned its land.
Maps and local history will be incorporated into the StoryMap interactive exhibit. this image is from the Centre County Historic Aerial photos found in the Pennsylvania Spatial Data Access (PASDA), Pennsylvania's official public access open geospatial data portal.
This initiative aims to uncover and present the transformation of private farmland into a leading agricultural research facility through digital storytelling, combining historical narratives with geographic data. Undergraduate interns from history and digital media disciplines are working collaboratively to develop this StoryMap, ensuring that the research center's past is documented and made accessible to the public in an engaging format.
The Pasto Agricultural Museum invites the community to engage with the project and support undergraduate research internships. Those interested can visit the project website at https://agsci.psu.edu/pasto/land-and-legacy to learn more.
Project Progress and Objectives
The project is currently in its research and development phase. Interns are engaged in foundational work, including:
- Tracing land ownership through Centre County Recorder of Deeds records to establish a timeline of property transfers.
- Conducting archival research using newspapers, court records, obituaries, and other historical documents to construct detailed narratives of the landholders.
- Consulting with librarians and GIS specialists from the Donald W. Hamer Center for Maps and Geospatial Information to refine mapping techniques.
- Engaging with experts such as Penn State Archivist Emerita Jackie Esposito to identify additional primary sources and enhance the project’s structure.
- Developing interactive mapping frameworks that allow users to navigate the historical landscape over time.
Public Engagement and Future Additions
The initial release of the "Land & Legacy" StoryMap is scheduled to coincide with Penn State's Ag Progress Days, August 12-14. Visitors to the Pasto Agricultural Museum can explore an interactive digital display, gaining insights into the center's evolution and the families who shaped its history. As part of an ongoing effort, new content will be added in future semesters, leading to a full and comprehensive StoryMap release by 2026 in alignment with the U.S. Semiquincentennial.
About the Pasto Agricultural Museum
The Pasto Agricultural Museum explores the intersection of science and history, focusing on tools, technology, and agricultural heritage. The museum connects the agricultural past to contemporary research and challenges in food systems and environmental sustainability through exhibits and programming.
Pasto Agricultural Museum
- Email PastoAgMuseum@psu.edu
- Office 814-863-1383
Pasto Agricultural Museum
- Email PastoAgMuseum@psu.edu
- Office 814-863-1383
