Laura Schiavo, Assistant Professor, George Washington University
Proposal Type: Structured Conversation
Abstract: For the past twenty years or so, there have been repeated (and repetitive) calls from within the National Parks Service and from without (John Lewis (1991); Center for American Progress (2014); and a myriad of others in between including articles in the New York Times, The Washington Post, and Public Historian) for a more inclusive park system that better reflects the diversity of the peoples whose stories are told in these sites of national memory and nation building. And the Park Service has responded with a host of initiatives and policy directives. My paper will take a critical look at the assumptions about race (perhaps most interestingly, whiteness), gender, ethnicity, and identity embedded in these discussions. My point is not to question the Park Service’s obligation – indeed its ethical imperative – to more accurately characterize the complexity of the history told in the park system. Rather, I am interested in unpacking the intersecting discourses around inclusivity, entitlement, the public, identity, heritage, and the relationship between nature and nation, to better understand what our goals might be when we call for adding new sites or improving the interpretation at existing sites. What does it mean to “be inclusive” or “represent diversity” on the landscapes that contribute to the creation of national narratives?
Seeking: I am looking for two or three other presenters to help structure a conversation on this topic. The conversation may focus exclusively on the Park Service, or it could look at similar issues in museums and historic sites outside the NPS system. I would hope that each presenter would take about 10 minutes to present his or her thoughts (about 30-40 minutes), and then we would have a discussion with the audience. Anyone want to join me?
Related Topics: Place, Environment, Diversity and Inclusion
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: Laura Schiavo, lbschiavo[at]gmail.com
If you have general ideas or feedback to share please feel free to use the comments feature below.
Hi Laura: I can’t wait to hear what you have to say. In general, I think a conversation will be more useful than several papers, and I think that’s more or less what you are imagining. Susan Ferentinos has a new book coming out about LGBT interpretation at museums and historic sties. Brian Joyner has had some very important things to say about diversity in the profession, too.
I would be interested in possibly participating in such a panel. I’ve worked extensively with the National Park Service, most recently on their women’s history initiative. As Denise mentioned, I’ve also just completed a book manuscript on interpreting LGBT history, in which I use a few NPS examples. If you’re interested in exploring the idea of collaborating further, please get in touch.
Also, this recent article on LGBT interpretation in the NPS might be of interest to you: http://www.npca.org/news/magazine/all-issues/2014/summer/untold-stories.html
Hi Susan —
Thanks for your response. I had been checking the responses for a month but then gave up because there was so little traffic. I have already assembled a panel, which includes Barbara Little from NPS talking about the LGBT theme study. I do hope that if this panel happens you will come and participate because I think we can develop a great “structured (or a little less structured!! :)) conversation” with folks like you in the room. And thanks for the article url!
Laura
Hello all,
I’m looking forward to this panel, and it sounds as though you have some good response concerning LGBT history, but if you’re looking for additional voices, I would love to participate. My name is Lena G. Reynolds, and I am an educator for the Jane Addams Hull-House Museum in Chicago. Our museum has engaged with the queer question on a limited basis over the past few years, but I’ve led the initiative over the last year to create an entire program around the history of Gender and Sexuality at our site. We have a weekly tour this summer on Fridays that has been well-attended, and addresses wider societal changes in the Progressive Era, and specific stories of personal lives of Hull-House residents. Our tour was referenced in the NPS link provided by Ms. Ferentinos above, and is one of the few places in Chicago where the queer community can really explore our own rich history.
Additionally, historic Hull-House was active in the forest preserve movement, the recreation, labor, and women’s rights movements, economic and political debates, and advocacy for ethnic and racial minorities. We continue these discussions with visitors today, recognizing that diversity comes in many forms, and social change comes from everywhere – artists, scientists, and kindergarten teachers can be as much a part of social change as politicians, lawyers, and activists. Queer identity is just one side of the history represented at Hull-House, but this story lends to the intersectional ways we can all work toward a better world.
I would love to participate in any capacity: on a panel, or through contributing literature, or advisory, whatever I can do to assist!
Thank you,
Lena G. Reynolds
Museum Educator, Jane Addams Hull-House Museum
Masters Student, Museum and Exhibition Studies UIC
http://www.wbez.org/series/curious-city/should-we-use-l-word-jane-addams-108619
http://www.windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/Hull-House-Chicagos-queerest-home-/47981.html
Dear Lena:
Thanks so much for your response. As I just responded to Susan, above, I had been checking the responses for a month but then gave up because there was so little traffic. And now all this great stuff in July! I have already assembled a panel, which includes Barbara Little from NPS talking about the LGBT theme study. I do want the conversation to be broad, and so two speakers addressing the representation of LGBT history is probably not the way to go. But I cannot describe to you how much I love JAHHM and respect the work you all are doing. If this panel happens PLEASE come and participate because, again as I wrote to Susan above, I think we can develop a great “structured (or a little less structured!! :)) conversation” with folks like you in the room. And thanks for the links. Hope to see you in Nashville! Laura