As I racked my brain to recall my walks through Murray Hill, I struggled to come up with a thesis subject because there were too many questions to narrow down. However, I remembered passing by a very old barber shop that looked very rundown and contrasted from the shiny Starbucks right next door. I began to think about gentrification and how the history of Murray Hill affected these older shops and how the residents felt about this new wave of redevelopment. Once a neighborhood for the wealthy older generation, Murray Hill has gradually been filling with younger post-college graduates, young professionals, and new families. I looked up both primary and secondary sources on the history of Murray Hill and the information I received was very interesting. The interviews and studies conducted contained not only facts but also opinions about my topic. This helps me get a better idea on who I should interview when it comes time. I would like to focus on not only the barber shop owners and the workers, but also the people who pass by it every day of all generations. Through my cabinet, I wanted to showcase the division between the old and new residents on redevelopment while also highlighting the history and culture of Murray Hill. Through my interviews, box, and research I wish that viewers can better understand the feelings and thoughts for both sides while also realizing how the history of Murray Hill contributed to them.
