Beyond the Barstool: Culture and Community at The Woodland Inn

Abstract

The project ―Beyond the Barstool: Culture and Community at The Woodland Inn – sought to identify, record, and present that history and to examine the notion that a neighborhood bar can significantly contribute to the sustainability and cohesion of a community. To illustrate the strong ties that people have formed around The Woodland Inn, this capstone focused on the specific function of collective memory shared through personal photographic archives from patrons of The Woodland Inn. Conducted over the course of eight months, the study involved community interactions, observations, and historical research. This evidence, when presented collectively, demonstrates how The Woodland Inn has and continues to provide a powerful binding force between culture and community. These materials provide a substantial foundation for the transformation of this thesis from an individual endeavor into a community-wide initiative to preserve a dynamic cultural identity.