NCPH News and conferences updates March 14, 2013 – Happy birthday History@Work

15 March 2013 – editors

NEWS

Happy Birthday, History@Work! It’s hard to believe that our blog is one year old this week. Besides a vigorous record of analysis and insights on the field, History@Work has the distinction of being the foundation of NCPH’s expanding Public History Commons. “Professional Opportunities” announcements now appear on the Commons alongside History@Work, and more is coming soon.

We Rely on You. Please support digital public history initiatives at NCPH with a donation.

Is There Any Value in U.S. News Rankings of History Grad Programs? By Robert B. Townsend for AHA Today.

National Archives Reducing Hours in DC. Effective Friday, March 15, NARA will reduce public hours at two locations in the Washington, DC, area as part of actions it is taking due to sequestration. These reductions will affect exhibit spaces and research rooms at the National Archives Building in Washington, DC, and research rooms at the National Archives at College Park, Maryland.

The Value of the Humanities. Jim Grossman of the American Historical Association has set up a “Roundtable of Links” to articles and opinion pieces about why the humanities matter. He is asking other associations and individuals to do the same, and to cross link them. It’s an important initiative at a time when—as Grossman puts it—“politicians and business leaders across the country have sharply attacked humanistic and social science disciplines as not only frivolous… but also a waste of taxpayers’ money and students’ time”.

AASLH and NCPH Teaming Up in Birmingham. NCPH is providing its Poster Session model for the American Association for State and Local History’s 2013 conference in Birmingham, Alabama, this September–“Turning Points: Ordinary People, Extraordinary Events.” Here’s another chance to present your project.

NCPH CONFERENCE UPDATES

Canada 3, Rest of the World 0. Our first Annual Meeting Youtube Video Contest deadline has been extended until Friday, March 22. We’ve been so impressed by and excited about the contest entries we’ve received from Canadians so far, and we want to see more. (Are U.S. public historians shy?) Enter your own 1-2 minute video to win lasting renown and one of our prizes!

Mentoring Emergency! Our conference mentor program has proved popular this year with a record number of new public history professionals looking for guidance. Your perspectives on conference opportunities, job searches, and other facets of the public historians’ world are invaluable, and we need you to share them. The process can be as simple and quick as meeting your pre-assigned match for 15-20 minutes of conversation and introducing them to a few people at the conference. Please sign up to mentor today.

Last Chance to Propose a Dine Around Topic. Friday, March 15, is the last day to submit a Dine Around topic for Ottawa. Facilitators make Thursday (4/18) night dinner reservations at a nearby restaurant (see p. 6 in Program), and agree to lead their group to dinner. Let us know at [email protected] if you have a discussion topic in mind. Four Dine Arounds for Ottawa are already in place; see the list here.

Make Some Room for Even More Professional Development. Already registered for #NCPH2013 but want to add an event? No problem, simply visit our online store and select the events you wish to add to your registration. (Please do not fill out another registration form.) Spaces are filling, but there still are several great workshops and tours to choose from. Pre-registration is open for three more weeks; don’t wait too long!

Conference Hotel Reservations. Missed yesterday’s deadline to receive the discounted room rate at the Delta Ottawa City Centre, our conference hotel? Never fear! The Delta may still offer rooms at the discounted rate of $159/night CDN as they are available. We also have a block of rooms available at the Minto Suite Hotel (two blocks from the Delta) at the same discounted rate until March 22 or the rooms are filled. To reserve a room call 800. 267. 3337and use group reservation #582113.

JOBS
• Searching for or posting a public history job or internship on the NCPH website is free!