Roadside America

This week we explore the origins of a distinctive American cultural landscape, the “roadside” – how & when it came to be, how Worcester’s history connects, and where we can find examples and legacies in our own locality today.

Tues 9/15 Workshop: How to Read Wikipedia.
Reading: Raitz, “American Roads” (PDF on Blackboard). Bring laptops to class.

Thurs 9/17 Road Food.
Explore these links:
Worcester Historical Museum / Diner

“Ten Diners Stamped ‘Worcester’” Boston Globe 3/7/2010

Diner Lingo (lots of places on the web, try here or here or here)

Fri 9/18 or Sat 9/19 (we will plan / decide the details of this in class) – we’ll take a field “research” trip to a classic Worcester diner for dinner or breakfast (pay your own way)