[Note: I have replaced any information that would reveal the identity of respondents to the queries with XXXX or similar sorts of codes.]
Reply #1:
I am responding to your email regarding research on people in public history. My address was listed on the web page for the XXXX County Historical Society because I am the current co-president. It is a volunteer group which promotes local history and has some members who could be considered public historians. Aside from my volunteer position with the Historical Society, my (paid) job for 10 years was as the XXXX County Archivist. I have not held that position since January. I fell into the job accidentally as I worked for the XXXX County Library which administers the archives. I have a BA but no graduate training in public history except for the two week Western Archives Institute and quite a few workshops given by SAA and SCA. Therefore, I can't comment on what was or wasn't helpful in school. I am a member of a pioneer family in this county and have lived here all my life which I think was a real advantage in getting to know the holdings of the Archives, helping people to do research, and in establishing a collection policy. My successor is in the public history Masters program at YYYState and can be reached at the XXXX County Archives at (phone number) if you would like her input. I am a Caucasian female, age 54, still working for the County Library in a public library branch because I was tired of the Archives, there was no opportunity for advancement in either career goals or salary, and I was tired of supervising retired volunteers.
Reply #2:
I am a white male, aged 35. I am an assistant professor of history, and the Graduate Coordinator of the Department of History here at YYY State University (we have a Masters Degree program in History and Public History), a school of 5500 students in the University of XXXX system. Formerly I was the Public History Coordinator.
When I was coming through school, there were not really and Public History programs around. I have a BA in History and English from ZZZZ University and an MA and PhD in History from the College of QQQQ. My MA included an apprenticeship in Archaeology. I have also taken classes from the University of RRRR's, School of Architecture program. At QQQQ, I had classwork in archaeology, museum studies, architectural studies, and vernacular architecture. In terms of education, what made me marketable as a professor was the diversity of my studies, a solid background in history, and the ability to write. While I chose to teach, I could have easily gotten a job in the museum field or in archaeology. I wish I had taken a drafting course somewhere along the way.
Other training has come from extensive work in museums. I worked at SSSS, Inc. for two years as a craft interpreter; Historic TTTT as a interpreter and assistant director; Colonial UUUU in the Department of Archaeological Research and the Company of Colonial Performers.
Reply #3:
Sixty-five year old Caucasian male. Professor and Director of the ZZZZ Campus Public History Program at XXXX State U., a program that grants an M.A. degree in public history. Adjunct Professor of History, University of YYYY. Coordinator for the VVVV State Universities.
My responsibilities are to keep the program running successfully. I recruit and advise students, create and supervise internships, direct graduate seminars, direct M.A. theses, organize various sorts of events for students in the program, and provide a strong role model.
> What sort of preparation or training did you have before you became a public historian?
B.A., summa cum laude, UUUU College (1955). Ph.D. in American History, University of XXXX (195x). Teaching at Northern PPPP University (1959-1968) and (present institution) (1968- ). (Retired in 1998, under an arrangement that permits me to continue teaching on a limited basis.)
> Are there things you wish you had learned in school but didn't?
Not really. My undergraduate and graduate school training had little or nothing to do with public history, but it provided me an education in how to learn new material and acquire new skills--the key components for anyone in public history.
> Are there things that you learned in school that turned out to be misleading or unhelpful?
If so, I've long since replaced such "things" with more useful knowledge.
> What led you to choose a career in public history?
My career is primarily in teaching, because of the model of faculty members I encountered as an undergraduate.
Public history became for me a variation on teaching as (during the late 1960s and 1970s) some of my students found work in public history while teaching positions were rare. My own work in cultural resources management (as principal in more than two dozen CRM studies) has been a sideline, partly to make money, partly to respond to the challenge of this new field and its research opportunities, and partly to gain practical experience as a public historian that would better qualify me as a teacher.
> What suggestions/advice would you give a student who hopes to become a public historian?
Educate yourself broadly in pertinent subject matter areas. Strive to improve your research, analysis, and writing skills. Develop a superior work ethic. Be persistent in your job searches. Do not expect to drive a Mercedes.
Reply #4:
>Please describe yourself briefly, including your age, sex, race, job title, and a list of your responsibilities in that position.
(Name), associate Editor, XXX Historical Society, Age 46, male, white. Produce and edit scholarship, especially historical documents; plan conferences and public events; routine editorial duties (eg., indexing, proofing).
>What sort of preparation or training did you have before you became a public historian?
Ph.D. in history from the QQQQ University
>Are there things you wish you had learned in school but didn't?
No.
>Are there things that you learned in school that turned out to be misleading or unhelpful?
No.
>What led you to choose a career in public history?
Not by choice. Went with the flow of the job market. No teaching job available.
>What suggestions/advice would you give a student who hopes to become a public historian?
Don't. Go into honest labor.
Reply #5:
(Name), 50, female, caucasian, Director, Organizational Historian's Office, (Museum). I direct the program on the history of the museum, run an oral history program, supervise graduate student research in the history at the museum, direct a documentary editing project on the first Secretary of the museum, conduct research on the history of the museum, prepare scholarly and popular publications, give scholarly and popular lectures, prepare exhibits, www sites, etc.
I have a B.A. and M.A. in American Studies from XXXX University and a Ph.D. in history of science from the University of YYYY. Public history requires a wealth of knowledge, talents and skills. I believe a strong subject matter background is crucial. The other skills -- exhibits, oral history, etc., you learn on the job. Nothing I learned in school was particularly misleading or unhelpful. I don't use everything I learned, but I developed the skills that I use everyday.
Public history was only emerging as a field when I began working here 25 years ago, so I didn't consciously enter "public history." I wanted to do historical work in a non-academic setting and reach a broad audience. I therefore wound up in public history.
I would advise students to pursue internships in the area they wish to work in. They will find out whether or not they really want to do this type of work. I've had some absolutely love it, others walk away and look for another career choice.
Reply #6:
I'm the Deputy Director of the (state) Division of Archives and History (the largest division of the (state) Department of Cultural Resources). We have about 425 employees (including temps) scattered at some thirty-seven locations across the state. I'm a WM, age 55. My current responsibilities center around planning, research, and development; I also serve as "Chief of Staff" for the director, oversee divisional computing and division financials, and direct/coordinate special projects.
I've held numerous positions with my present employer, dating back to 1965 and the then Department of Archives and History. These jobs have included Education Specialist, Exhibit Designer, Interpretations Specialist, Audiovisual Curator, Historic Sites Section Operations Officer, Historic Sites Section Assistant Chief, and Historic Sites Section Chief. I became Assistant Director of Public History years ago and was "retitled" Deputy Director in 1994.
I received a BA in English from XXXX University in 1965, with unofficial minors in philosophy and technical theater arts. I count virtually all of my time with the department/division as training, but won't bore you with the many details.
Much of my current work involves computers--the Web, networking, electronic records (I'm acting State Electronic Records Officer). My liberal arts background has served me well in terms of applied critical thinking, and the few history courses I took gave me a better background than I realized (I had really good profs). My non-credit experience with technical matters and "process", however, turned out to be of equal or greater value.
If you haven't read C. P. Snow's essay, "Two Cultures and the Scientific Revolution," I recommend it as illustrative the problems I think classically trained public historians face today. Public history is a "big picture" profession and, while a "sense of history" is definitely a basic requirement, one must also apply logic and engineering to cause growth and change.
Reply #7:
>Please describe yourself briefly, including your age, sex, race, job title, and a list of your responsibilities in that position.
48 year old white woman working as reference/local history librarian in a small resort town library. The local history part of my job entails answering questions about the town and former inhabitants, maintaining a vertical file with clippings, supervising volunteers who index the local newspaper, ordering books and other material on the history of the town and the state. I volunteer on the advisory board of the local history museum, which is a town department but is also supported by contributions from a Friends organization. The seven-member advisory board oversees daily operation of the museum and a staff of 2.5 fte. We recommend exhibits and approve a schedule of programs and events. We volunteer with duties such as cataloging collections and have had some training in collections conservation.
>What sort of preparation or training did you have before you became a public historian?
I have a degree in library science. Most of my history training has been on the job or because I happen to remember events that happened as I was growing up. (Resident of the town summers for 23 years and year round since)
>Are there things you wish you had learned in school but didn't?
I wish I had paid a little more attention but I think the most important thing to learn in school is critcal thinking. If you are interested in history, it also helps to learn about historical perspective.
>Are there things that you learned in school that turned out to be misleading or unhelpful? In the past twenty years there has been more research about the role of women and people of color in what had formerly been a record of white men's achievements. That history was not misleading, it just didn't tell the entire story.
>What led you to choose a career in public history?
I truly believe that history affects and is effected by us all. I want to share that belief with as many people as I can.
>What suggestions/advice would you give a student who hopes to become a public historian?
Learn as much as you can about whatever you can.
Reply #8
Age: 29; Sex: Male; Race: Caucasian; Ethnicity: Irish/Polish/English/Slovak; Title: Curator of Urban and Industrial History.
Responsibilities: MANY!! I'm responsible for collecting and interpreting all the artifacts for the proposed XXXX Museum of Industry, which is currently being designed, and will open (hopefully) in 2002. I also do a great deal of primary-source research in my topical area, I keep track of the records for this museum project, I coordinate all the acquisitions and accessions for the new museum, I interact with the public, I do research and writing for exhibits, I help in the conceptualization and design of exhibits, both currently at the historical society and also for the new museum. I also coordinate the intern program here.
Preparation and training: Well, I've got a B.A. in History (American), an M.A. in History (modern America, with specialization in urban and labor history), and I've been working on a Ph.D in history (again focusing on modern America, labor, business, and industrial history). However, I did start the Ph.D. before I discovered public history. It is highly doubtful that I would have pursued it had I known about public history.
I have also been fortunate to have a number of internships. I've interned in an archive composed of millions of newspaper clippings and photographs. I've interned for a National Park Service-chartered commission in (state), where I did curatorial work. I interned here at this historical society, researching for an exhibit that we decided later not to build.
Are there things I wish I learned in school? Well, when I was pursuing my M.A., public history was mentioned, but my profs were all academics, so they disdained it; it wasn't the kind of job a "real" historian does. The same goes for my profs in Ph.D. school. I still have some profs who think I'm wasting my time. I wish I would have had more museum-studies classes (I had a general one, and that's it), so I've had to learn on-the-job, though that's still worked out very well.
Are there things I learned in school that were not useful? YES. A great deal of it. But that's because professors live in a pretty unrealistic world. My best prof had worked for a historic site; he knew what the world was like, and was able to advise us accordingly. The rest of the profs had us focus on useless theories.
What led me to a career in public history? Well, to tell the truth, I fell into it. My internship was ending, and they offered me a job here. I was broke, so I took it, and I've been promoted and given raises since then. But I've also decided to stay in this field, because I've never felt so much job satisfaction. The job is constantly a challenge, which I welcome, and it's also immensely fun.
What advice would I give someone? First off, take a public history class if one is offered, so you can learn a bit about the field. Secondly, and actually most importantly, GET INTERNSHIPS! No classroom can substitute for real-world experience, and getting out there, getting experience, and getting known will help your job more than any classwork will. The key thing I've learned is that it's not WHAT you know, but WHO you know, and staying in a classroom all the time won't introduce you to anyone. Get out there, and get some experience!
Reply #9:
I am a 42 year old Hispanic male serving as one of several historians at the society. Currently I am in charge of research for the XXXX Group. We research and produce scripts for development into exhibits, work with the public on historical questions, and work with the curators for collections items.
I have a AA, BA, MA, and PhD-all in history
> Are there things you wish you had learned in school but didn't?
Well, it depends on circumstances, but there are very few programs in Public History, so most training is in your specific field.
> What led you to choose a career in public history?
Job market. My field was in military/naval history and there are rarely that many spots available for historians, much less a field in military history.
> What suggestions/advice would you give a student who hopes to become a public historian?
Be prepared to work outside your immediate field of interest but still being able to use your skills and training to contribute in new areas.
Reply #10:
1. executive director, (state) Historical Society
2. administer staff of library, museum, press, finance, development departments
3. have a master's degree (necessary for directing even small historical societies nowadays)
4. it would be useful to study more business admin and planning.
5. I came to this field with a belief that the better people appreciated their local history, the better they would care for their land, place, town, neighborhood, etc. One must have a strong belief before entering this field.
6. suggestions for prospective public historians: work in a museum or related historical agency; study the basics of history, as well as courses in museology, librarianship, editing, and administration.
Reply #11:
This is a small, all volunteer Museum / Historical Society about the local (Native American people). We do not have adequate funding or training.
Reply #12:
Our area, XXXX County and its county seat YYYY, used to have a number of countrywide historians, but since 1976 I have been alone in this field. The Grim Reaper called home all the others, within a period of several years.
I am 61...male....white...and a retired educator who for nearly 4 decades taught English and history--and local history on the 6th grade level. Much that was taught relative to local history was done using learning stations that I prepared--based on my writings (from newspaper stories and my books)--and slides, videos, and ViewMaster 3-D views that I prepared especially for classroom use.
My interest in local history started when I was 11, which is when I first became interested in historical sites, esp. old buildings that had architectural significance...at least to me! A neighbor showed me how to develop black and white negatives and prints....and I was off and running.
Along the way I started collecting cameras, which worked out fine because I was always going on to try "my new camera." The result was that I looked for things to take that I had never captured previously...so as not to waste film. We were not well to do. Only "average."
The end result of all is that I now have in excess of 18,000 pictures and negatives on file....and I have no idea how many slides, but the number is in the thousands.
The real push to get into history occurred in 1959 when I began to teach 6th grade. I was told that I was expected to teach a unit on local history...but was given virtually nothing to do same...so I leapt headlong into hunting and gathering and preparing materials--with a visual core--suitable for educational purposes at a 6th grade level. As time went on, converting much of that material to adult standards was not a major step.
I had no local history taught to me in public school, or college, which I think a shame because--based on my experience--students show considerable interest in "their" history.
Yesterday my wife and I were involved in an autograph party for our latest book....our 12th of local history....and during the course of the day, seven former pupils showed up. All still have their 6th grade XXXX History notebook, some of which were prepared nearly 40 years ago.
I never chose a career in public history. I was drawn into it for two reasons....those previously involved all died off and the newspaper wanted to continue its series of local history pieces--and the Historical Society of XXXX County (3,000 members) wanted to put out "a local history" again (after a lapse of decades) and I was the only one around in a position to do it.
The first volume in (name of series) series sold 5,000 copies in 8 days. For obvious reasons, I keep getting "put upon" to continue the series for the Society. Yesterday the public received its 11th volume in this series. Each book has 272 pages. The index for our first ten books contains in excess of 23,000 entries...so we're been busy!
What advice would I proffer? Learn what sources of local history are accurate...or most accurate...and read like mad. Time is the historian's greatest asset. The more you read, the more all the pieces of the puzzle begin to fit together. But be wary, because much in print is not necessarily correct. Bits of local history penned many years ago, in nostaglia columns, often were not based totally in fact. Newspapers were more interested in "a good read" than total accuracy. There are many pitfalls along the way for the historian. NEVER take anything at face value, regardless of the source.
I find old newspaper accounts of daily reporting valuable, because in the era when there were competing dailies, even in small towns, reporters were held to a high level of accuracy. Reporters who were careless usually were sacked.
It's been my experience that in this era of numerous changes in society and our general surroundings, more and more people enjoy looking back and basking in the relative security of the past. Local history, especially fortified with quality pictures, is beginning to be a profitable thing. We've been writing in an attempt to preserve as much of the local past as possible. That said, the fruits of our labors have been of great benefit to the Historical Society.
If I were a beginner in the field of local history and wanted to get my foot in the door, I'd attempt to donate columns to local papers or try to set a spot on local tv...preferably public access...just to get noticed. The public LOVES old pictures. My approach from the very beginning has been visual.
Being available for slide presentations for local organizations is another good way to get before the public. Most communities have countless goups that meet on a weekly or monthly basis and ALL are looking for programs. Once you become known for giving a good presentation, the word spreads like proverbial wildfire!
Reply #13:
>Please describe yourself briefly, including your age, sex, race, job title, and a list of your responsibilities in that position.
Female, white, 28. Assistant Archivist (not a public historian). Responsible for processing of collections, reference duties, web site, book aquisitions.
>What sort of preparation or training did you have before you became a public historian?
Master's in Information and Library Studies with specialization in Archives Mgmt.
>What led you to choose a career in public history?
Liked working with historical documents. What we choose to document influences how history will be written and viewed for future generations.
>What suggestions/advice would you give a student who hopes to become a public historian?
Get an archives degree. Far more jobs. And get as much experience as possible while in school and before.
Reply #14:
I am a volunteer with the XXXX Tribe Cultural Society who answers the e-mail questions. Many of the responses are in the form of a bibliography I developed to help students on their projects and to direct persons interested in genealolgy. Officially, I am the newsletter editor and not an expert in history, genealogy or many other facets of Native studies. The articles you see at the website outside of the newsletter issues are written or obtained by others and represent many sources.
Since I am not appropriate to answer your survey, I will share the bibliography, which may help find those who can assist you. The XXXX Tribe Cultural Society would be a good place to start.
Reply #15
>Please describe yourself briefly, including your age, sex, race, job title, and a list of your responsibilities in that position.
I'm a 61 year old WASP, currently employed as a Substitute Assistant Professor at XXXX College, XXXX. As such, I teach three 3/hr. classes per semester. I teach lower division, upper division, and master's degree classes.
What sort of preparation or training did you have before you became a public historian?
MA and PhD in History
Are there things you wish you had learned in school but didn't?
Yes, I would like to have had a good course on the teaching process itself. I also wish I had become fluent in another language.
Are there things that you learned in school that turned out to be misleading or unhelpful?
No.
What led you to choose a career in public history?
Though I am not currently working as a public historian, I have in the past had several positions in public history. I catalogued (historical figure)'s papers at the XXXX National Historic Site in (location). I worked for (city name) museum , a multidisciplinary recovery and celebration of (city's) history leading up to the centennial celebration for the (famous local location). I directed the (state) Women's History Institute and prepared a traveling exhibition on (state) Women. The basic reason I took all these positions is that the various bodies I worked for were hiring at a time when I could not find an academic position. So I didn't choose the career, I simply took the positions because they were the only places where I could use my historical background and be gainfully employed.
What suggestions/advice would you give a student who hopes to become a public historian?
Develop your computer skills and learn very early how important it is for public historians to cultivate good relationships with the board members and the fellow employees at the site where you are working. The ability to share your enthusiasm for the historical quest with as wide a circle of those people with whom you come into contact is key to success as a public historian.
My last advice is to the person asking the questions. It is very impolite, and poor professional practice, to ask anyone to answer such personal questions without identifying yourself. I answered them because I assumed you are a student who has yet much to learn but I would urge you to rewrite your letter of inquiry, identifying yourself, your institution of study, and and your age, sex, race, etc.
Reply #16
Please describe yourself briefly, including your age, sex, race, job title, and a list of your responsibilities in that position.
Female, age 34, white, Museum Educator. I plan all museum programs, coordinate school field trips, create teaching materials.
>What sort of preparation or training did you have before you became a public historian?
BA in American Studies, MA in History, PhD Candidate in History, Internships at numerous museums
>Are there things you wish you had learned in school but didn't?
My more valuable experiences came through my internships. I had lots of hands-on training in school.
>Are there things that you learned in school that turned out to be misleading or unhelpful?
I really can't remember.
>What led you to choose a career in public history?
A family that works in museums. A lifelong interest in museums, education, and interpretation.
>What suggestions/advice would you give a student who hopes to become a public historian?
To get as many internships or summer jobs in the field as possible.
Reply #17
I am (name), age 58, male, caucasian, executive director. Responsibilities: overall management, short and long range planning, personnel supervision, budget development, fund raising, public relations, approval of publications, historic building maintenance, grant writing.
>What sort of preparation or training did you have before you became a public historian?
I was trained as a professional historian. Most of what I learned in the field of public history was through experience, as a museum director, editor, researcher, and grant writer.
>Are there things you wish you had learned in school but didn't?
Budget development, grant writing, personnel management.
>What led you to choose a career in public history?
I sought a career in public history because of a lack of other opportunities.
>What suggestions/advice would you give a student who hopes to become a public historian?
Acquire skills in business management and editing.
Reply #18
Age, 53; sex M; Race, White; Job Title, Research Assistant, responsiblities include working with public who use our library, I also answer the email and update the web page.
>What sort of preparation or training did you have before you became a public historian?
None
>Are there things you wish you had learned in school but didn't?
No.
>Are there things that you learned in school that turned out to be misleading or unhelpful?
Yes, the American Revolution wasn't the revolution I learned about in elementary school
>What led you to choose a career in public history?
I didn't choose it, I wandered into it.
>What suggestions/advice would you give a student who hopes to become a public historian?
Study Accounting, there is more money in it. Typically jobs at local historical societies are part-time, no benefits, low wages. While I like working with the public and in history I wouldn't regard it as a career, the wages are too low.
Reply #19
I am the Director of Graduate Programs here at (state) State University, and also filling in as director of our public history program while our regular director is away. I am 40 years old, white male, and have a PhD in American Studies from XXXX. My BA was also in American Studies from YYYY College. I am actually trained as an American labor historian, and started working as a museum consultant while I taught at the University of ZZZZ. I was hired here at State University to teach both in my academic field and in museology. The strength of our MA program in Public History is precisely that we root it in the academic discipline of history along with specialized courses taught by profesional archvists and curators. I hope that these remarks are helpful.
Reply #20
(Name), Age 44, Male, White, Owner of (Independent Railroad History Exhibit Company). We design and host Web sites, mostly on the railroad and historical areas.
>What sort of preparation or training did you have before you became a public historian?
Just a long love of railroads and a learning of how things were and how things got to be the way they are now.
>Are there things you wish you had learned in school but didn't? Are there things that you learned in school that turned out to be misleading or unhelpful?
Yes, in history we seems to learn only the good things about American history. We never learned about the Pullman strikes in Chicago or the trouble of the forming of the all black Pullman union.
We never really learned of just unscrupulous the builders of the country and railroads were.
>What led you to choose a career in public history? What suggestions/advice would you give a student who hopes to become a public historian?
Not much help here as I don't really consider myself an historian.
Reply #21
I don't want to disappoint you, but my position as "public historian" is not earned. I have no education in this field, merely an interest. My education consisted of 12 years, but due to class scheduling, I graduated without the required American History. To this day, I can't seem to get my fill of our history. I am semi-retired, 70 years of age, white, a widow having lost my husband to cancer 4 years ago. Own my home, drive a 98 Dodge Caravan, have 3 grown children and 3 grandchildren, love to travel.
Over the years I've served in many public offices for my Community, some for pay, others, as a volunteer. I'm active in my Catholic Church, serving on many committee's as well as a Lector. Born and raised in a small town helps, as does having an interest in our local history. As people cleaned out attic's or sold estates, I was eager to save artifacts and papers that would otherwise be destroyed or lost. With the help of others intersted, we started a Historical Soc. and were given a room on the second floor of our local Library. This served us well for almost 10 years, but we soon out-grew the quarters and are now located in a private home given to us rent free. We are creating an index card file from old newspapers and scrap books for those doing genealogical research. A cousin designed a Web page for us and increased the information as we fed it to her. Unfortunately, she passed away without telling us how to continue this venture. We'll figure it out tho. We are financed by donations and membership dues, and of course a book we have advertised on our Web site. So you see, I'm not the scholar you may have expected. Just an average citizen who is interested in her heritage.
Reply #22
Please describe yourself briefly, including your age, sex, race, job title, and a list of your responsibilities in that position.
(name), 34, female, "American; Architectural Historian - Division of Archeology and Historic Preservation, State Historical Society of (State). Primary responsibilities are the National Register, State Historic Sites Registry, architectural survey, and tax incentives programs. Duties: author, edit, and process National Register and State Registry nominations; facilitate state review board meetings; organize and manage annual National Register Awards Ceremony; scope and review materials for architectural survey; liaise for (Local) Historic Preservation Commission (including recent local natural disaster assistance); review and process tax incentives applications; review and inspect preservation development grant projects, assess National Register eligibility of architectural resources for the review and compliance program; provide mitigation recommendations; provide information and technical assistance to the public and staff by telephone, letter, email, educational workshops, and presentations. August 1993 - Present.
What sort of preparation or training did you have before you became a public historian?
My experience in historic preservation was mostly on-the-job training specifically historical, architectural survey work, coupled with my education in architectural history and photography.
Enrollment - Master of Arts in Historic Preservation, XXXX College, Distance education program. I am beginning my second of a six semester program. Degree - Bachelor of Fine Arts, majoring in Art at The University of XXXX. Focus in Photography, with an equal emphasis in Art (Architectural) History. Continuing Education - How Can We Work Together to Preserve Our Sacred Heritage? workshop; South Dakota State Historical Society Annual Conference; Association for Preservation Technology Conference; NEPA/Section 106 Workshop, National Park Service; Preserving the Recent Past Conference, National Park Service; Tax Review Training, National Park Service; Breaking New Ground in Old Buildings, Minnesota State Historical Society; Parallel Tracks: Railroad History and Preservation Opportunities, Annual CLG Workshop; Historic South Dakota Foundation Conference; South Dakota State Historical Society Annual Meeting and Conference; Windows Workshop, Annual CLG Workshop; Personal Reading in Historic Preservation and Preservation Law; Independent Study Course in Architectural History, U. of State; Residential Interiors Restoration Workshop; Tourism & Recreation Workshop; Homesteading and Historic Archaeology Meeting; historic and contemporary homes tours.
Are there things you wish you had learned in school but didn't?
Well, my education wasn't in public history or historic preservation, so it might not be a fair question. I would be better prepared to answer this after completing my graduate studies.
Are there things that you learned in school that turned out to be misleading or unhelpful?
N/A. My education wasn't in public history.
What led you to choose a career in public history?
It was my interest in architectural history at school coupled with the excellent experience of my first architectural survey. (The survey focused on ethnic vernacular architecture in two counties in (state))
What suggestions/advice would you give a student who hopes to become a public historian?
Strive for thorough research, top-notch writing, attention to detail, and meeting deadlines. Network with other students and professionals in your field. (It will improve your awareness on issues, offer an opportunity to collaborate on projects, and may help you in job searches.) Look outside your discipline for new ideas. And have a life-long learning plan.
Reply #23
Contact the National Council on Public History. The NCPH's web site is http://www.iupui.edu/~ncph/home.html. NCPH offers a number of publications that will assist you.
Reply #24
I'm a 57 year old Caucasian male, retired Army officer and aerospace engineer. I have a math/physics BS and an MS in business administration. I am the president of the local historical society and until last week the town's museum director. The society and museum needed the efforts of an MBA to get them organized; develop proper documents, establish missions, goal and objectives, business plans and to establish business relationship with the town who owns the museum. That's I got into public history.
With one more upper level course in my undergraduate work I would have had a minor in history. So the interest has always been there. I have worked my family's genealogy for the past 20 years.
My efforts with history are purely voluntary. I have written a history of the area and completed the organization efforts as above. I am developing supporting histories to get about 10 state historical markers in our area.
If I had intended a profession in public history, I would have taken museum management courses, I know that LSU Shreveport offers courses in the general area. History is not dates and names but causes and effects that define our culture that involves dates and names. Make that differentiation early.
Reply #25
I am passing on your E-Mail to various members of the XXXX County Historical Society that I feel are appropriate. I would like to know how you define 'public historian'. Much of the significant research and educational work accomplished by this group, which is in the 'public' realm was done on a volunteer basis.
Is this still considered to be a public historian?
Reply #26
My name is XXXX, (male, white, and in my 30s) and I am the Executive Director of the ZZZZ County Historical Society. I have a master of Arts degree in public history from State University, and my undergraduate degree is in American Studies/historic preservation from the same school. I worked as the Assistant Director prior to becoming the Director. My resume includes working at several historical sites as a lead interpreter, an independent research historian/consultant, and director of a non-profit organization dedicated to revitalizing the downtown of a 10,000 pop. community through historic preservation
At the museum, I am responsible for overseeing the whole ball of wax. We have three full time staff, myself and Education Coordinator and Curator of Collections.
The "real world" , things that school doesn't prepare one for are Board/Public Relations/financial administration (daily and fundraising) and an emphasis on historical theory, which is good, but lacking in practical application, especially in a small museum where you do absolutely everything e.g. exhibit installation, what materials are you going to make labels from, who will physically construct the setting/structure of the exhibit, the chemistry of artifact conservation . . .
My advice, volunteer - networking is the best way to find a job, a prospective employer know will know something about staff dynamics, personalities, competency, strengths and weaknesses.
Reply #27
Please describe yourself briefly, including your age, sex, race, job title, and a list of your responsibilities in that position.
I AM A 45-YEAR-OLD CAUCASIAN MALE WHO IS AN ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OF HISTORY AT A REGIONAL COMPREHENSIVE UNIVERSITY IN EAST-CENTRAL (state). BESIDES TEACHING AN INTRODUCTORY-LEVEL COURSE ON PUBLIC HISTORY, I COORDINATE THE HISTORY DEPARTMENT'S PUBLIC HISTORY INTERNSHIP PROGRAM.
What sort of preparation or training did you have before you became a public historian?
I AM UNUSUAL IN THAT I BEGAN MY CAREER AS A PROFESSIONAL PUBLIC HISTORIAN PRIOR TO ATTENDING COLLEGE. I HELPED ORGANIZE THREE LOCAL HISTORICAL SOCIETIES IN WEST-CENTRAL state AND SERVED AS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF TWO OF THEM. I DID ALMOST EVERYTHING ONE CAN DO THAT FALLS UNDER THE RUBRIC OF PUBLIC HISTORY: ORGANIZED AN ARCHIVAL COLLECTION; DESIGNED AND BUILT TRAVELING EXHIBITIONS; WROTE, EDITED AND PUBLISHED BOOKS; PRESENTED PUBLIC LECTURES; CONDUCTED WALKING TOURS; RESEARCHED AND SUCCESSFULLY NOMINATED 134 PROPERTIES TO THE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES; ETC.
I FINALLY DECIDED TO ATTEND COLLEGE AT THE AGE OF 32, DURING WHICH TIME I WORKED AS A REFERENCE ASSISTANT IN A STATE HISTORICAL SOCIETY'S SOUND AND PICTURE ARCHIVE; SERVED AS A RESEARCHER FOR SEVERAL STATE-WIDE OR NATIONALLY DISTRIBUTED DOCUMENTARY FILMS; AND CONDUCTED FREELANCE RESEARCH FOR INDIVIDUALS AND ORGANIZATIONS, INCLUDING THE SMITHSONIAN AND NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC.
Are there things you wish you had learned in school but didn't? Are there things that you learned in school that turned out to be misleading or unhelpful?
MY "SCHOOLING" OCCURRED AFTER THE FACT, ALTHOUGH I DID ATTEND MORE THAN A DOZEN WORKSHOPS ON ALL ASPECTS OF PUBLIC HISTORY THEORY AND METHOD WHILE WORKING AS A PRACTITIONER. THUS THESE QUESTIONS DON'T PERTAIN TO MY EXPERIENCE.
What led you to choose a career in public history?
I HAD BEEN AN ANTI-VIETNAM WAR ACTIVIST AND DURING THE BICENTENNIAL ERA STARTED WORKING AS A COMMUNITY ORGANIZER AROUND ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES WHILE LIVING ON A COMMUNAL FARM IN A RURAL CONSERVATIVE COUNTY. WHEN A NUCLEAR POWER PLANT WAS PROPOSED FOR THE WATERSHED NORTH OF THERE, THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT SOLICITED COMMENTARY FROM REGIONAL "CULTURAL ORGANIZATIONS." WHEN I DISCOVERED THAT THERE *WEREN'T* ANY SUCH ORGANIZATIONS IN THE COUNTY, I DECIDED TO ORGANIZE ONE SO THAT LOCAL CITIZENS COULD HAVE A PLACE AT THE TABLE. HISTORY MADE SENSE BECAUSE IT WAS ONE INTEREST I SHARED WITH PEOPLE IN THE AREA WITH WHOM I OTHERWISE HAD LITTLE IN COMMON POLITICALLY.
What suggestions/advice would you give a student who hopes to become a public historian?
TAKE ALL THE HISTORY COURSES YOU CAN WHILE IN COLLEGE SO THAT YOU HAVE A BROAD FOUNDATION OF LEARNING. DEFINITELY DO AN INTERNSHIP &/OR VOLUNTEER IN A PUBLIC HISTORY AGENCY. CONSIDER ATTENDING GRADUATE SCHOOL IN PUBLIC HISTORY, JOIN ALL THE RELEVANT PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS, & NETWORK LIKE CRAZY.
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Prepared by Yvonne Tu, for HST 594--Independent Study--Public History, with assistance from Professor Catherine Lavender, Department of History, The College of Staten Island/CUNY. Last updated: Monday, 29 March 1999.