Author Archive
27 April 2016 – Jason Steinhauer 7
When I put the words “history” and “communication” together nearly two years ago, I never imagined it would elicit as much discussion and controversy as it has. Some have asked whether history communication is just public history—or an extension of public history. Read More
04 January 2016 – Jason Steinhauer 1
In January 2015, I introduced the idea of History Communicators on this blog. “History Communicators, like Science Communicators,” I wrote then, “will advocate for policy decisions informed by historical research; step beyond the walls of universities and institutions and participate in public debates; author opinion pieces; engage in conversation with policymakers and the public; and work diligently to communicate history in a populist tone that has mass appeal across print, video, and audio. Read More
29 January 2015 – Jason Steinhauer 12
media, publicity, archives, education, profession, training, conference, advocacy, public engagement
Just as science has Science Communicators, I’ve proposed that history needs History Communicators. The idea of History Communicators, and how public historians may fill these roles, will be discussed in a panel at the National Council on Public History annual meeting in Nashville. Read More
19 February 2014 – Jason Steinhauer 5
Continued from Part 1.
Unlike corporations that use historical images as a marketing strategy, museums, archives, libraries, and national historic sites are caretakers of history whose goal is not to distract from serious investigation but rather to promote it. We want people to understand context, to ask questions, and to dig deeper into sources. Read More
18 February 2014 – Jason Steinhauer 7
Suppose you’d never heard of @HistoryinPics, and I told you that a new social media account had grown to more than a million followers by featuring a different historical image in its feed every couple of hours.
As a public historian, you might be intrigued. Read More
04 September 2013 – Jason Steinhauer 2
Several months ago in this space I reflected on the large crowds that flocked to Washington to witness President Obama’s historic second inaugural. Again, this past Wednesday, crowds assembled in Washington to hear the President offer “historic” remarks, this time on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in commemoration of the March on Washington in August 1963. Read More
23 January 2013 – Jason Steinhauer 2
“History” was on everyone’s lips on Inauguration Day.
Historical rituals marked the ceremony. Historical allusions to the Declaration of Independence and Martin Luther King, Jr., punctuated Obama’s remarks. The media defined the setting as “historic.” A historic Bible was sworn on. Read More