Iona Students Curate 250th Anniversary Exhibit of “Common Sense” in Thomas Paine’s Historic England Home
Through the Institute for Thomas Paine Studies, students spent three weeks gaining invaluable hands-on experience abroad.
Iona University students recently had the opportunity to travel to Lewes, England, to curate an exhibit commemorating the 250th anniversary of Thomas Paine’s “Common Sense,” set to open January 2026 at Bull House, site of Paine’s historic home and business.
Due in part to the generosity of the Lapidus Initiative for Early American Inquiry at the ITPS, students spent three weeks working directly with Leanne O’Boyle, director of Bull House, and Iona professor Adam Arenson, Ph.D., to create the exhibit, which highlights the enduring legacy of Paine’s ideas on democracy. Students also received three course credits in DH 492 – Internship in Public and Digital History for their involvement.
“This program was an incredible opportunity for students to immerse themselves in museums, historic houses and rare-book archives,” said Arenson. “We were thrilled to see how our students could learn how Thomas Paine’s legacy is understood in England and to contribute to the growth of the Bull House museum.”
Students were housed at the University of Sussex, located in Falmer, England, which offered social events and various excursions. For instance, students enjoyed traveling to Arundel Castle, touring the Royal Pavilion in Brighton and interacting with other students from around the world.
Hear from students as they reflect on how this transformative experience deepened their understanding of democracy, expanded their global perspective and brought the study of history to life in meaningful and unexpected ways:
Janae Nora ’28: “I had the opportunity to immerse myself in the town where Thomas Paine spent a pivotal part of his life, and through that, I gained a new appreciation for public history and the role it plays in connecting the past to the present. One of the most meaningful aspects of this internship was the hands-on approach to historical interpretation. We were not confined to a classroom or library, we were out in the field, learning how to interpret physical space, communicate historical ideas to a general audience, and contribute to a broader understanding of an important historical figure. This program fosters a deeper understanding of Thomas Paine’s legacy, while also equipping interns with critical skills in research, public interpretation, and historical communication. Supporting this initiative ensures that future students can gain similar transformative experiences, and that the memory of Paine’s contributions remains vibrant and accessible.”
Megan Basile ’26: “This internship exposed me to other possible career paths that I would have never before considered. This experience requires students to think critically about the purpose of the museum, the story it should tell, the audiences it should attract, and the information it should provide. I think one of the most unexpected topics we covered on this trip was the importance of ongoing discussions about democracy. I believe it is important for the ITPS to continue this trip so that students can have conversations about democracy on an international scale.”
Mackenzie Murphy ’28: “This experience was valuable because it gives students an opportunity to explore topics outside of their major that they usually wouldn't have the opportunity to engage with. It allows students to experience new places and learn new skills. Conducting research and witnessing archives is something most students wouldn't do on their own, but it is something that we learn about in our Public History and Digital Humanities class. Being able to do this with my fellow classmates was an amazing experience.”
ABOUT IONA
Founded in 1940, Iona University is a master's-granting private, Catholic, coeducational institution of learning in the tradition of the Edmund Rice Christian Brothers. Iona's 45-acre New Rochelle campus and 28-acre Bronxville campus are just 20 miles north of Midtown Manhattan. With a total enrollment of nearly 4,000 students and an alumni base of 55,000 around the world, Iona is a diverse community of learners and scholars dedicated to academic excellence and the values of justice, peace and service. Iona is highly accredited, offering undergraduate degrees in liberal arts, science and business administration, as well as Master of Arts, Master of Science and Master of Business Administration degrees and numerous advanced certificate programs. Iona students enjoy small class sizes, engaged professors and a wide array of academic programs across the School of Arts & Science; LaPenta School of Business; NewYork-Presbyterian Iona School of Nursing & Health Sciences; and Hynes Institute for Entrepreneurship & Innovation. Iona also continues to be recognized in prestigious national rankings. Most recently for 2025, Iona has been named one of the nation’s best colleges by The Princeton Review, The Wall Street Journal, Forbes and others. Additionally, U.S. News & World Report recognized Iona as one of top for social mobility in the country, while Georgetown University's Center on Education and the Workforce (CEW) ranked an Iona degree in the top 6 percent nationally for long-term return on investment. Iona’s LaPenta School of Business, meanwhile, is also accredited by AACSB International, a recognition awarded to just 6 percent of business schools worldwide. In addition, The Princeton Review once again named Iona to its “Best Business Schools for 2025,” recognizing both its on-campus and online MBA programs. Connecting to its Irish heritage, Iona also opened a new campus in County Mayo, Ireland, located on the historic 400-acre Westport House Estate. A school on the rise, Iona officially changed its status from College to University on July 1, 2022, reflecting the growth of its academic programs and the prestige of an Iona education.