By The Keystone Newspaper Student editors reflect on identity at the State Museum of Pennsylvania
By Katelynn Humbles
A group of student editors from the Keystone Newspaper at KU visited the Pennsylvania State Capitol on Thursday, April 24 for a field reporting trip that included both civic and cultural experiences.
The visit began with a guided tour of the Capitol complex, where students learned about the state’s legislative process and architectural history. The group then walked to the nearby State Museum of Pennsylvania for a stop at Portraits of Identity: Harrisburg Asian American Pacific Islander Stories Through the Lens, a temporary exhibit highlighting the personal narratives of local AAPI community members.
Running from March 9 to June 15, the exhibit showcases portraits and stories that honor the Harrisburg Asian American Pacific Islander (HAAPI) community. Created in collaboration with the HAAPI organization and The Foundation for Enhancing Communities, the project was developed in response to rising anti-Asian hate incidents in 2020.
“The Portraits of Identity exhibit was something that really stood out among the dozens of other exhibits at the State Museum, mainly for its unique display of Asian American Pacific Islander identities,” said staff writer John Mahoney. “Each photo in the assortment displayed its model in a way that was unabashedly true to themself, which led to some really cool pieces, with interesting stories to match.”
Photo Credit: State Museum of Pennsylvania
The exhibit pairs community-contributed stories with professional photography to offer visitors an intimate view of both the pain and pride that shape the HAAPI experience in central Pennsylvania.
State Museum Director Angelica Docog described the exhibit as “a testament to the strength and beauty of the HAAPI community in Harrisburg,” and emphasized its ability to spark meaningful conversations around identity and belonging.
The State Museum of Pennsylvania, operated by the Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission, is located adjacent to the Capitol and features exhibits spanning geologic time, industrial innovation and modern civil rights.
For the KU students, the visit served as a blend of professional development and cultural exploration. In addition to reporting and documenting their reflections for a forthcoming article in the Keystone Newspaper, students engaged in discussions about diversity in journalism and the importance of community storytelling.
More information about the Portraits of Identity exhibit is available on the State Museum of Pennsylvania website.