Cranford High School students in Mr. Hoglund’s AP World History class ventured to the Metropolitan Museum of Art this past month. Founded in 1870, the Met presents over 5,000 years of art from all over the world. The Met encapsulates the culture of differing regions, religions, and ethnicities around the world through its conservation of numerous artifacts. From European sculptures to Egyptian inscriptions, the Met offers its visitors a plethora of opportunities to immerse themselves in various cultures. 

Mr. Hoglund’s students focused on the Ancient American, Islamic, and Medieval European collections; these were the areas most relevant to the course. Students snapped photos of artifacts from the target regions and completed an assignment regarding global interaction and cultural exchange. 

After students explored the required exhibits, they were allowed to part from the group and check out another area of their liking. Fellow dialogue member, Chloe, and I gazed at the Temple of Dendur in the Egyptian wing, which was built around 15 BCE under Roman emperor Augustus to honor local Egyptian deities. It was a symbol of international cooperation and the cultural fusion of the Egyptians and Romans. Fun fact: Ariana Grande performed here during the 2024 Met Gala, and Cynthia Erivo joined her for the finale!

CHS students left the Met enlightened by all of the artwork and with a more complex understanding of the world.