Public history

Quick Facts: Who was Public history?

Subject:

Public history

Known for:

A broad field of historical practice engaging the public outside traditional academic settings.

Verified Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

Public history is a broad range of activities undertaken by people with some training in the discipline of history who are generally working outside of specialized academic settings. Public history practice is deeply rooted in the areas of historic preservation, archival science, oral history, museum curatorship, and other related fields. The field has become increasingly professionalized in the United States and Canada since the late 1970s. Some of the most common settings for the practice of public history are museums, historic homes and historic sites, parks, battlefields, archives, film and television companies, new media, and all levels of government. Because it incorporates a wide range of practices and takes place in many different settings, public history proves resistant to being precisely defined.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

Several key elements often emerge from the discourse of those who identify themselves as public historians: A focus on history for the general public, rather than academics or specialists. The use of historical methods. An emphasis on professional standards, training, and practice. An emphasis on the usefulness of historical knowledge in some way that goes beyond purely academic or antiquarian purposes. An aim to deepen and empower the public's connection with and knowledge of the past.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

These elements are expressed in the 1989 mission statement of the U.S.-based National Council on Public History: "To promote the utility of history in society through professional practice." They are also present in a definition drafted by the NCPH board in 2007, stating, "Public history is a movement, methodology, and approach that promotes the collaborative study and practice of history; its practitioners embrace a mission to make their special insights accessible and useful to the public." However, this draft definition prompted some challenges on the H-Public listserv from people in the field, who raised questions about whether public history is solely an endeavor by professional or trained historians, or if shared historical authority should be a key element of the field. Others have pointed out that the existence of many "publics" for public history complicates the task of definition. For example, historian Peter Novick has questioned whether much of what is termed public history should actually be called private history (for example, the creation of corporate histories or archives) or popular history (for example, research or exhibits conducted outside the norms of the historical discipline). Cathy Stanton has also identified a more radical element in North American public history but has asked: 'how much room is there for the progressive component in the public history movement?' Hilda Kean and Paul Ashton have also discussed the differences in public history in Britain, Australia, New Zealand and the U.S., arguing against 'a rigid demarcation between "historians" and "their publics"'. A 2008 survey of almost 4,000 practitioners predominantly in the U.S. showed that a substantial proportion (almost one quarter of respondents) expressed some reservations about the term and whether it applied to their own work.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1989: 1989 Milestone — These elements are expressed in the 1989 mission statement of the U.
2. 2007: 2007 Milestone — " They are also present in a definition drafted by the NCPH board in 2007, stating, "Public history is a movement, methodology, and approach that promotes the collaborative study and practice of history; its practitioners embrace a mission to make their special insights accessible and useful to the public.
3. 2008: 2008 Milestone — A 2008 survey of almost 4,000 practitioners predominantly in the U.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Public history

True or False: “Public history is exclusively an endeavor undertaken by formally trained academic historians.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): The field embraces non-academics and recognizes that shared historical authority from the public itself is a key element.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• A. J. Ayer — Historical peer (Died in 1989) (1989): Influential English philosopher known for logical positivism and emotivism.
• Abbie Hoffman — Historical peer (Died in 1989) (1989): Iconic American activist, co-founder of the Yippies, and counterculture figure.
• Al Oerter — Historical peer (Died in 2007) (2007): Four-time Olympic champion in the discus throw, pioneering athletic consistency.
• Albert Ellis — Historical peer (Died in 2007) (2007): Pioneering figure in psychotherapy, founder of Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT)
• Ahn Jae-hwan — Historical peer (Died in 2008) (2008): South Korean actor known for roles in films like Beautiful Temptation and Show Show Show.
• Aimé Césaire — Historical peer (Died in 2008) (2008): Afro-Martinican poet, politician, and founder of the Négritude movement.

Frequently Asked Questions about Public history