Stephen Kidd: Archive of what locals read in 1890s proves to be a treasure trove

In August, the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), which has supported the valuable work of Indiana Humanities and other organizations for more than four decades, announced $29 million in grants to 215 projects nationwide. One among these deserves particular recognition: a grant to professor James Connolly, director of the Center for Middletown Studies at Ball State University. This grant, which will bring researchers from around the world to Muncie, marks the third in a decade-long investment that has brought a unique Indiana archive to the public and shaped the way scholars understand American reading culture.