Mars Grubbs

Hi, I am Mars Grubbs and I am a student in the dual masters program. I am pursuing an M.A. in History with a concentration in Public History and an M.S. in Architecture with a concentration in Critical Heritage. I received my B.A. in Art History with a concentration in Architecture from UNC Asheville. I am passionate about historic preservation, studying the built urban environment, ethnic identity and heritage, architectural policy, property law, and local Charlotte history. 

 What are you working on as part of your research assistantship? 

I am assisting Dr. Emily Makas’ project on the Mostar Partisan Memorial Cemetery as part of my 2024-2025 CHArts research assistantship. The Partisan Memorial Cemetery in Mostar, Bosnia, is considered a contested heritage site. The space faces vandalism and attacks from neo-Nazi groups that interpret the site differently from its intended purpose: memorializing the soldiers who liberated Mostar from Axis powers during World War II. The project includes an app that provides photos of the site from the 1960s and 70s along with significant history. This digital project provides contextual information for tourists and citizens alike. This semester we decided to format the project into a published guidebook for tourists. I am currently working on expanding my research and reformatting previous work for our historic travel guide. 

Why do you think its important to connect heritage and the arts to communities?

I believe it is important to connect heritage and the arts because they uplift communities and help restore representation and individuality to the groups within them. Heritage and the arts open avenues for cultural exchange, expression, and awareness. Heritage through various artistic mediums empowers and shapes public history and cultural experiences. 

What are you studying?

I am currently writing my graduate thesis on early to mid-twentieth-century immigration of the Greek community to Charlotte. My research examines the mutual heritage and identity development between Greek immigrants and African Americans amidst a period of immense social change. I argue that Greek immigrants and African Americans shared interactions that mutually shared their identity, heritage, and experience in the New South. I investigate two areas of focus for my study: heritage development through the physical urban environment and within settings centered around labor opportunities. This paper will feature a digital component that maps Greek immigrant settlement in Charlotte as well as historic African American communities. This project showcases how Greek immigrants internally strengthen their heritage and cultural identity despite external social pressures from the dominating white Anglo-Saxon society. 

What kind of career do you hope to have?

After I graduate in May of 2025, I hope to find a career in historic preservation where I can conduct research and consult developers on ethical practices to help the City of Charlotte grow in a productive way. I believe it is important to expand as a city, but also conserve and uplift our existing heritage. I’d like to receive my law degree and one-day influence building policy towards a more sustainable urban landscape.

When you are not in class, studying, or working, what do you like to do for fun?

When I am not participating in academic life I enjoy weight lifting, hiking, playing video games, being social with friends, and spending time with my two cats: Trevor and Simon!