The quincentennial of Columbus discovering America has inspired an exhibit of the man, not the myth.

The exhibit will be displayed in the Founders Memorial Library and is based on the life of the man in contrast to his heroic status.

The display is titled “Columbus/Rethinking Columbus.” It focuses on disputing the myth and revealing the truth surrounding Columbus.

“The exhibit presents Columbus in a realistic manner, less as a hero and more as a man possessed and driven by three forces—God, Gold and Glory,” said exhibit coordinator Byron Anderson.

The display focuses both on Columbus’ heroic stature in children’s literature and “on his treatment, or ill treatment, of the native American population,” Anderson added.

“I think the quincentennial can serve as a time of reflection on both the discovery and the time since then to present,” he said, alluding to the problems Native Americans currently are having.

“I don’t want to overwhelm people. The display does look somewhat sparse, but only until you read some of the material,” Anderson said.

Jenny Meness, president of NATIONS (Native Americans Together Insuring Our National Sovereignty) was pleased to see that the display had been erected.

“I think the display is good because it presents the counterpart opinion to the quincentennial and the whole idea of the ‘discovery.’ It shows that injustice to Native Americans didn’t end with Columbus and that it still hasn’t ended,” she said.

“I think it’s great,” said Micheal Nitz, a junior history major. “We all grew up hearing about the heroic side of Columbus, this is a good time to hear the other side of the story.”

“I’m hoping that people do not focus on or assume that Columbus is a hero, but rather a man who is a reflection of his times who did some things right and some things wrong,” Anderson said.

The exhibit will be on display in the library from Oct. 5 to 30.