Discovering Mary Ford

Project Overview and Objectives:

The primary goal of this project was to develop a comprehensive research collection focused on the life, career, and legacy of Mary Ford. This research will serve as the foundation for a future museum exhibit, digital archive, or education display that highlights her contributions to music history. Ideally, WPI students will be able to use it for an Interactive Qualifying Project or a Major Qualifying Project. While Mary Ford was remembered in the shadow of other musicians, the project seeks to acknowledge her as a vocalist, musician, and pioneer in recording technology.

A second goal is to organize and preserve all collected research materials in an organized excel spreadsheet, along with all sources documented in Zotero. This includes books, articles, websites, photographs, recordings, newspaper archives, and other primary and secondary sources. Creating a centralized repository will allow students to design an exhibit and resort back to specific materials. This will also make them easily accessible.

Another objective is to study existing museum exhibits and interpretative displays. This will help explain Mary Ford and her life in an engaging way for the public. This will also help to be presented in an educational manner.

Finally, the project aims to provide suggestions for the future. These recommendations may include exhibit concepts, interactive technologies, artifact acquisition strategies, educational programming, and digital experiences that could further expand public understanding of Mary Ford’s impact on American music.