When is a sweatshirt just a sweatshirt? When is it much more? For Lauren Massaro, a University of Cincinnati sophomore, the UC sweatshirt she bought at freshman orientation holds a special place in her heart. Lauren and her roommates, who are all friends since preschool, bought these matching sweatshirts and they continue to wear them years later as a representation of their school pride and their friendship. The warm fleece has comforted Lauren through years of college, and after it will continue to hold the memories she made with her friends. When clothing is connected to people we care about through memory, even fabric can hold a special place in our hearts.
Listen to Lauren’s story in her own words:
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.
Transcript
Lauren Massaro: Well, I bought it when I first went to my UC orientation. So, it kind of represents like the beginning of my educational journey here at UC. Um, well, it’s really important to me because I have it matching with actually two of my roommates. So, I don’t know it just represents like friendship and the beginning of like a new era in my life.