We all have unique experiences that shape us into the people we become and the items we value. In 2021, while this young man was skiing with his ski club at Snow Trails, he and his friends noticed employees getting ready to discard a 3×3 foot sign. They saw an opportunity to retrieve the sign as a trophy and symbol of their friendship, so they snuck it onto their club’s bus. The sign has since been a series of different things: an airsoft shield, basement decor in multiple friends’ homes, and presently decor for a college dorm. The sign shows his adventurous spirit and holds all sorts of different memories.
Having unique experiences while people are young can have a positive impact on one’s brain development as well and play a huge part in someone’s psychology. In Owen’s case, these experiences contribute to growth mentally, giving him more creative abilities, social skills, etc. I know this will be a story passed down to his children one day because of how unique this experience was and how it did affect him.
This object is part of the “Transitions” section of the Artifacts of Experience exhibition designed by University of Cincinnati students in the “Introduction to Public History” course in 2023.
We encourage you to explore the other objects in our collection.