Interior of Appleton Chapel (with organ) 1861 - 1866

Editor: This albumen print, "Interior of Appleton Chapel (with organ)," by George Kendall Warren, shows a grand, almost theatrical space. The organ seems to dominate, imposing its presence. How do you interpret the power dynamics at play within this image? Curator: I see this image as a document of institutional power. The organ, a symbol of religious and academic authority, is elevated, literally and figuratively. What does this architectural emphasis on the organ suggest about the intended experience and perhaps, the enforced conformity within Harvard’s early community? Editor: It definitely feels like a statement about hierarchy. I hadn't thought of it that way. Curator: Exactly. Considering the historical context, who had access to this space and whose voices were amplified, or silenced, within its walls? Reflecting on those questions helps us understand the image’s complex social narrative. Editor: That’s a powerful perspective. It makes me see the chapel not just as a place of worship, but as a stage for social performance. Curator: Precisely. It's about recognizing the intersection of space, power, and identity.