robert kibbee, the history center in tompkins county
Proposal Type
Demonstration/Panel
Seeking
- Seeking Additional Presenters
- Seeking General Feedback and Interest
Related Topics
- Data/Information Management
- Place
- Public Engagement
Abstract
Emerging tools and technologies are fueling new projects that collect local historical data about individuals and display the information in spatial context. We will review some noteworthy projects, outlining their objectives, potentials and problems. Included in this presentation is a demonstration of HistoryForge (historyforge.net), a project that uses volunteer-transcribed records of four decades of US census records of Ithaca, NY, to create a dense matrix of attributes that uncovers and makes present informed narratives of individuals, families, ethnic, racial and occupational groups. Adding a spatial context creates even more compelling narratives: individuals and families in buildings and neighborhoods over time. The stories persist.
Description
The goal of this proposal is to introduce public historians to the potential for harvesting information from a variety of public documents and “”supercharging”” that information by placing it in a spatial context. We propose to address problems and possibilities of this general approach by demonstrating and comparing several noteworthy projects (e.g. the Pullman House History Project; the Keewenaw Time Traveler; New York Public Library’s Building Inspector), all with different data sources and emphases. Points of comparison will include establishing clear goals, building volunteer models, implementation, public engagement, finding an audience, data validity and presentation, proprietary vs. open platforms, among others.
The presentation could take several forms: a single presenter; a demonstration/dialog with one other presenter or expert; a panel discussion with several presenters and a commentator. I am hoping historians actively involved in developing this kind of online resource will agree to serve as panelists or commentators.
As the project manager for HistoryForge (historyforge.net) I will be demonstrating that project, not only to show how potentials for narrative can be created from raw data and made compelling by placing the information meaningfully in a historic built environment and by building a scaffold for adding archival and user-generated content, but also to address honestly problems and pitfalls of this approach. HistoryForge is funded now by several grants including a “”Public Engagement with Historical Records”” grant from The National Historic and Public Record Commission (NHPRC) and is undergoing rapid development with the goal of producing a well-documented open-source product that any community can adopt to explore its local history.
Ideally, two other participants would demonstrate their projects posing similar questions. A commentator could then pull together some of the over-arching ideas, engaging the audience to add their comments.
Recent history has shown the challenge history centers, libraries and museums face to maintain their engagement with their public and the historical enterprise in a virtual world. Volunteer-driven, interactive projects that have the potential to reveal the hidden stories of their communities, such as those presented here will play an important role in situating historical institutions in this new, challenging and exciting environment.
If you have a direct offer of assistance, sensitive criticism, or wish to pass along someone’s contact information confidentially, please get in contact directly: Robert Kibbee, The History Center in Tompkins County, [email protected]
All feedback and offers of assistance should be submitted by July 6, 2020. If you have general ideas or feedback to share, please feel free to use the comments feature below.
This sounds FASCINATING! I think David Bartecchi, a colleague of mine in Fort Collins, has been working on a project that is doing something similar with agricultural census data and Indigenous land tenure. You can reach him at [email protected]. Email me directly if you would like an introduction.
I agree with Leisl — this sounds fascinating. I can see two routes to further development:
1) Pulling in more panelists. In addition to David Bartecchi, Ariel Beaujot of Hear, Here (https://www.hearherelacrosse.org/) has done some interesting work integrating the physical and digital space. You could also consider representatives from the sister projects you mention.
2) Deviating from the panel idea and head straight into a workshop with your project coordinator and software developer. I find that there’s often interest in pursuing robust digital projects like this, but little know-how for getting it off the ground. You could guide participants through grants, establishing partnerships, data acquisition, lifting the hood on your site / tools, etc.
Either would be viable routes, depending on whether or not your were able to / interested in recruiting more panelists.