Creative Spaces: Dr. Julie Sweet
Creative Spaces is a continuing series in Baylor Arts & Sciences magazine that looks at some of the most distinctive and eye-catching offices in the Baylor University College of Arts & Sciences.
In this inaugural installment, we visit Tidwell Bible Building and step back in time as we are invited into the memorabilia-filled office of Dr. Julie Sweet, professor of history, whose main interests are Colonial and Revolutionary America and military history. Here are just a few of the many treasures we found on Sweet's walls and shelves.
George Washington hand puppet: “My George Washington hand puppet comes to class when we have ratified the Constitution, and I interview him about what he thinks about that. Students find it hilarious.”
Collection of miniature cannon replicas: "These were collected mostly at the various Civil War battlefields that our family went to while I was growing up. My dad was a history buff -- that's where I got it from -- although he wanted me to be an accountant like he was. As an accountant, my dad saved everything. After he died, anything of his that was history-related came to me, and the cannons were the big thing. I believe most of them are pewter or bronze replicas of cannons used during the Civil War."
Tomahawk: “The tomahawk is always a big hit with my students. I always mention the tomahawk in class because it's something you bring to a treaty negotiation. The fun thing about a tomahawk is that having one makes you look like you're prepared for war, but it's also a peace pipe. Part of it is a little bowl you can put tobacco in, so carrying a tomahawk signifies that you're prepared for both war and peace."
Bayonet: “I actually use the bayonet as a pointer in class, when I’m pointing to various battles and things on a map.” The weapon is displayed with items including a Revolutionary War Minuteman figurine and an Uncle Sam coin bank.
Park ranger hats: These hats were worn by Sweet when she worked as a National Park Service ranger at Colonial National Historical Park in Virginia.
Williamsburg straw hat: “I wore this straw hat when I worked at Colonial Williamsburg. I was a historic interpreter, and dressed in costume. That's where I learned to teach. It was easy to wear the straw hat every day because I had always been a hat kid, even when I was in grammar school and high school. Below the straw hat you'll see the women’s storage pocket I wore that I made and embroidered myself. Back in colonial times, women's clothes didn't have pockets built into them. Essentially you had one pocket, and a woman would tie that around her waist and put all her stuff info it."
Costumes kept behind the office door: Sweet’s numerous historic costumes which she wears in class are hung behind her office door. Dr. Sweet wore the Revolutionary War costume in a 2019 lecture recorded at Baylor which still runs on C-SPAN. “I kind of work my way through time in costume,” Sweet says.
Bear mask on the wall: This modern bear mask from the Cherokee Nation Bear Clan was made from a gourd.
Washington figurines, including GI Joe George: Sweet says this George Washington action figure (in red box at rear) is part of a series of famous Americans put out by G.I. Joe manufacturer Hasbro.
Boston Tea Party memorabilia: Sweet has an entire shelf dedicated to items related to the Boston Tea Party, which she and her students marked with a historical interpretation on campus on October 19, 2023 -- the 250th anniversary of that important event in American history. The "Brazos Tea Party" program on the back wall was created as part of that event.
DAR medal with ribbon: Dr. Sweet won the 2021 Women in American History Medal from the Daughters of the American Revolution, which honors women who have made an important difference in their communities.