Timothy Kneeland, Professor of History and Political Science, Nazareth College

Proposal Type: Working Group

Seeking: Additional Presenters, General Feedback and Interest

Abstract: How do we tell the history of natural disaster? This is a call for a working group discussion on how public historians frame the story of natural disasters.

Natural disasters occur in every state and region, and these dramatic and tragic events are incorporated in the public history and memory of communities across the United States in a multitude of formats. The public history of natural disaster is found on roadside markers and plaques honoring heroes or victims, special or permanent exhibits hosted by libraries or historical societies, in media stories timed to significant anniversaries of these events, as digital displays on blogs, on websites, social media sites, and documentary films.

What and whose stories do they tell? Do the histories contribute to the popular notion that disasters are “Acts of God” outside of the framework of social class, public policy?   Do they celebrate the resilience and coming together of the community? Do these narratives reinforce the status quo? Or do they tell a more complex tale that shows how disasters are shaped by public policy? Do they demonstrate the disparate impact of disaster on the poor? Do they reveal the underlying social structures at play in local communities? How can public historians assist in shaping a sophisticated approach to remembering natural disaster that will raise awareness of the policy side of disaster and provide a format for discussion of the social and economic divisions within communities, while retaining space for the dramatic and vivid recollections of individual community members?

Seeking: The culmination of this work will be a 200-word summary for the NCPH Newsletter and 1,000 word blog for History[at]Work that will provide case studies or ideas for creating a new framework for telling the history of natural disasters that is more critical and inclusive.

This proposal seek to engage public historians working on disaster narratives who will provide case studies and share ideas. This proposal seeks to draw panelists from across the field of public history, including but not limited to local historians, historians in the Federal Government, and experts in the digital humanities.

If you have a direct offer of assistance, sensitive criticism, or wish to share contact information for other people the proposer should reach out to, please get in contact directly: Timothy Kneeland,tkneela8[at]naz.edu

If you have general ideas or feedback to share please feel free to use the comments feature below.

All feedback, and offers of assistance, should be submitted by July 3, 2015.

Related Topics: Government Historians, Memory, Museums/Exhibits

 

 

Discussion

2 comments
  1. Patrick Cox says:

    As you know, we have had a tremendous and devestating flood in Wimberley and the Blanco River Valley where I live. I have many friends and members in the area who have suffered loss. But there is also a great resilience and response by people to address the crisis. I have started some oral histories on this and would like to discuss the human, social and framework of how this natural disaster is being shaped in public memory and perception. How do we preserve the personal along with the official reports and analysis along with the perception of how and why these disasters occur. Great idea and very timely.
    Patrick Cox, Ph.D.
    512-217-2279

  2. Mattea Sanders says:

    You might want to contact the interpreters at Johnstown Flood National Memorial, I have heard that they do a fantastic job of not only telling the history of the flood but the contextualization of the economic situation that caused the flood to be so traumatic.

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