PROPOSAL TYPE
Roundtable
SEEKING
- Seeking Additional Presenters
- Seeking General Feedback and Interest
- Seeking Specific Expertise
RELATED TOPICS
- Government Historians
- Reflections on the Field
ABSTRACT
Projects that challenge dominant narratives, present multiple perspectives on difficult topics, and tell the truth don’t necessarily require us to “hold the line.” Sometimes the best option is to proceed as if there is no line. We will share our experience working at a “Red State” state agency, where we have been able to produce public history projects that present “hard history” from multiple viewpoints, include frank discussions of discrimination and violence, and share diverse stories. In this session, we plan to share some of our successes and talk about how we’ve navigated politics while providing nuanced, factual history that includes the stories and perspectives of Montanans from different backgrounds and eras.
DESCRIPTION
Theme and Goals:
The challenges—and strategies—historians employ to practice their craft with integrity vary depending on zip code and institution (or lack of institution).
This round table will begin with examples of success stories from politically conservative states before opening into a dialogue about techniques and strategies for producing high quality public history in contentious political times.
Kate Hampton, Community Preservation Officer at the Montana State Historic Preservation Office, will discuss three successful projects: a film on African American history in Montana and two Multiple Property Designations: one focused on African American related historic sites and the other on Chinese American related historic sites.
Martha Kohl, Outreach and Education Program Manager at the Montana Historical Society, will share her experiences creating curriculum that incorporates the history and culture of Indigenous nations, sponsoring programming relating to LGBTQ+ history, responding to educator anxieties about CRT, and preparing front line staff to respond to museum-goer criticism that exhibits are “too woke”.
We envision the conversation to include:
- What does “holding the line” mean?
- Are there ways to produce high-quality, nuanced, diverse historical products without creating controversy? And, if so, is that a good thing?
- Where have panelists found unlikely allies and how have they cultivated them?
We seek two additional round table participants from conservative states interested in discussing their strategies for successfully navigating politically challenging times while producing history that addresses significant topics and shares diverse viewpoints.
We are also interested in ideas for improving this proposal. What would attendees find most useful? What questions do you have?
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:
Martha Kohl, Montana Historical Society, [email protected]
All feedback and offers of assistance should be sent by June 5, 2026. If you have general ideas or feedback to share, please feel free to use the comments feature below.
Excellent start here and a discussion that would be useful not just for those who are in red states but those who may work under specific constraints from various stakeholders (i.e. a conservative leaning board, donor restrictions, etc.). I think one way to strengthen your proposal is to also talk frankly about the politics of this work, and how you have to navigate that within your organizations (perhaps with internal and external stakeholders who are more “risk averse.” In seeking other participants, I’d be mindful of having diverse perspectives (whether it be regionally or type of institution). Good luck!
This is an important topic that needs more discussion, so I appreciate seeing it proposed here. You might consider working to identify presenters from beyond the state agency – perhaps folks from a local historical society who are doing good work in even more rural and conservative communities in Montana? Or even some grassroots public history work that is happening outside the bounds of state politics?
Thanks for the feedback. I agree that we should talk about the politics of the work and navigating internal and external stakeholders. And we are on the hunt for people who work at different types of institutions (and/or contract historians). If you know of anyone who might be interested in joining the discussion, please have them contact me ([email protected]).
Rebecca and Will have shared thoughts I also had, I would love to have you show or consider how others can work within the constraints (a little chess v. checkers if you will). I work in Georgia, with schools. I know there are certain words I cannot use in order for materials to get through administrators. I’m fine with using a thesaurus as long as I can reach the teachers and students. Providing some examples of ways to work within these new systems that don’t cause one to sell their soul can go a long way.