Humanities Truck Community Archive

While interviewing Petworth resident Karen Abbott for the 2021 Celebrate Petworth Festival, the Humanities Truck filmed a series of videos featuring dioramas made by Karen’s mother, Norma Adkins, in the early 1970s. Her mother acquired the necessary materials and created all dioramas by hand, crafting scenes often based on stories she was told, her memories, and her life experiences. The eleven dioramas depict a variety of scenes from Norma’s life as a native Washingtonian, including a church choir singing at Brentwood AME Zion Church, her grandmother’s house in Georgetown on 27th and N St., Thaddeus Stevens Elementary School, and a park in Petworth on the corner of Hamilton St. and Illinois Ave. In these videos, Karen narrates each scene and offers insight into her mother’s craft, process, and their family’s history. This collection includes videos of the dioramas, with Karen Abbot's narration, a short form interview with Karen, and photographs of the dioramas.