Week 15: History & New Media

This week’s readings are addressing the way history is preserved in new media, specifically digital collections. Digital media is now another form of preserving and presenting history. The articles address the challenges and benefits of digital collections and history. There is an apparent argument for the importance of digital collections within archives. As well as understanding the way in which they are presented to users; as this presentation can change or alter initial use intentions. As this has been discussed, during our trips, the articles are concerned with the wave digital media has and will continue to take on in archival work.

Cohen discusses historical records and digital media (the future of preserving the past). He is pro digital collections when it comes to oral histories, as such as those from Pearl Harbor and 9/11. This proves very useful in collection personal memories that would other wise are lost with time. Cohen is more concerned with the quality, rather than quantity of the digital collection. He argues that because of the condition of most of the archival collections, we should be more concerned with digitizing the more recent or current collections.

Brennan and Kelly also discuss the future of historical records. Like Cohen, they discuss the collection of images and oral histories. They mainly focus on the process for creating digital collections. This process involving, collection content, technical issues, attracting visitors/contributors to the website/building user trust, and appropriate healing timing of those most affected (p. 4). They argue the importance of the process and including people/potential users during the process.

Brown discusses the history of multimedia and argues the affects (good and bad) it has had on various projects. His argument is mainly that the results of past digital media projects in archives should be used as examples and progression points to better assess evaluate and use multimedia. He is apparently not for digital media. This has been determined by his involvement in digital collection projects. He deemed that digital media decides what information a user can explore and access. In addition, the way the information is provided determines the outlook of the information, thus limiting users. For example, the arrangement of artifacts and images may adjust the user’s purpose for the information.

History and New media is about history being stored using digital collections. The problems as well as benefits are great and must be considered for each collection. Digital media is about access more than anything, so, as an information professional who is all about intellectually growing through accessing information…I’m all for the increase in knowledge. I think the real collection(s) should continue to be protected at its appropriate house.

Week 13: History & Hollywood

I have always had an interest in cinema that portrays historical events or specific time periods. This week’s readings definitely help to peak that interest. The many readings covered various ways in which cinema chooses to capture and present history. The question that is continuously ever present in the readings is one of whether or not historical cinema changes the viewer’s points of view about the historical events that are being portrayed.

This question may have been created and debated in the way the film is created. While, the producers are working mainly on creative license, they may need to more so consider the facts of the event and/or time period. Better yet, hire a historian for accuracy purposes. But, I even question that because if it goes against the producer’s and/or director’s vision, they may not want the facts. Thus, they will seek out a historian who feels or desires to convey a similar view point. The various authors argue that the viewer’s point of view does not change based on the cinema’s portrayal of an event or time period. Historical cinema has the power to possibly open dialogue about a time and get people to discuss a specific time period, as discussed in the Davis and Toplin readings. If this discussion happens, more than likely the viewers will not change their views of the presented historical events as made evident in this week’s readings.

I find this to be a valid argument because of the many historical films I have seen I have not allowed the sway my view point of the historical events portrayed. However, the view point portrayed has made me desire to do some digging and research. Nevertheless, everyone does not do this and most people take the film for truth because of trust in cinema.

Week 12: Creating Sources - Oral History

Oral history and public memories by Hamilton and Shopes (2008) address the topics of “oral history, memory, and the public” (p. vii). Oral history is a documented story of an individual concerning a specific topic and/or event in time. The authors utilize many researchers and historians to explore the historical question, which is solely focused on the social practice of oral history.

As discussed by the Hamilton and Shopes (2008), there are two core observations within the text. (1) Oral history is typically semi-private. Originally, it was rarely taken “out of the house” and now, primarily due to digitization, the practice has been taken “down the street” for others to enjoy and learn from. (2) Oral history is rarely a central practice in various professions such as history, anthropology, sociology, and cultural studies, even in recent scholarship where history and memory are inevitably entangled. This is demonstrated through the various stories concerning oral history and public memory told by researchers and historians.

The observations presented by the authors are surely valid. Though oral history has not been considered nor utilized as a central research practice, it definitely is and should be for fields involving cultural studies. Oral history is a social practice which connects the past and the present like any other form of history does. This practice is much more than a simple archival activity; it is a form of historical preservation…if you will. Otherwise, the history within the story of a specified time period would be lost. Think about any war, slavery, the Holocaust, any natural disaster, any era or time period in history. What if we did not know the stories of the people? What if no one thought to record the memories and thoughts of the primary resource? We as researchers would have lost out on many aspects of research. Overall, I found Oral history and public memories to be simply informative and supportive of the social practice of oral history.

Hamilton, P., & Shopes, L. (2008). Oral history and public memories. Philadelphia, PA: Temple University
Press.

Week 10 - Preserving History : Archives

This week’s reading presents a discussion about archives. Burton utilizes multiple archival stories of historians for this discussion. The various stories discuss the creation, manipulation, and policies surrounding archives. In addition, some of the essays question what is an archive and history. What about forms of history that do not materialize, such as oral histories, fiction, planning for communities and buildings, and even cyberspace? The stories remind the reader archives are important for politics and society in order to tell a story about the past of an individual’s and/or collective communities.

Archives are especially important to researchers. However, some archives are not open to all researchers and/or the general public. However, in one of the essays Western research were granted access to the Central State Archive because of their wealth. This story shows the bias for access. Archives should be open with protection to all researchers for the simple sake of research and exploration of a history. This story particularly disturbed me because it goes back to times were you were considered wealthy if you had a home library.

The stories that could be and will be told based on the composition of archives makes an archive powerful. History typically provokes some type of emotion. For example, an African American in a slave or Civil Rights museum, a Jewish person in a Holocaust museum, and/or a woman in a Women’s evolution museum. My point is race and gender can affect the ways in which History or archives are viewed. Yet, these stories were not told. I assumed, because of the title the book, there would be a mixture of stories concerning archives from historians as well as those who experienced them (citizen stories). I think this would have made an impact on the book.

Overall, I found this book to be incomplete. I wanted more stories…stories from those researchers concerning the emotion they felt as the dug through the archives and discovered more information on their desired topic. As a research of African American history, I know that if history is not recorded in some fashion, it is lost. I am very appreciative of archives. I agree with various historians on the mere importance and vitality of archives. They do relate politics and society, which are always important whether it is national or local history. Information Professionals (librarians and historians) must seek to continue to maintain and create more archives for the use of various researchers as well as society.

Week 10: Public Displays of History: Pageantry

Pageantry is all about the grand display of history; the presentation. There are many reasons for this type of display of history. From the readings I gathered that this form of display serves as a sense of pride residences of a local community and of the nation (speaking from the prospective of Bodnar). This sense of pride is provided through the sense of history. This type of display is the focus and argument for the week 10 readings.
Glassberg focuses on the celebration of the city. The most popular ways being local civic celebrations (festivals, parades, and city spaces included) and historical reenactments (plays included). “The public commemoration of events from local history projects a distinctive collective identity for people of different classes, ethnic backgrounds, and lengths of residence who happen to live in the same locale” (Glassberg, 2001, p. 61). Glassberg utilizes historical examples dating back to the eighteenth century with Plymouth, Massachusetts and the celebration the landing of Pilgrims. These traditions have always and will always be apart of the Americana. It is a way to be proud, remember, and respect the origins of the community while it continues to undergo various physical and demographic transformations (Glassberg, 2001). Glassberg also points out that the displays serve a different purpose at the citywide level. At this level it is more about the politics of “collective” historical representation, which include “the press for economic advantage, the expansion of municipal services, and the restructuring of urban government” (Glassberg, 2001, p 85). This proves that disorder does indeed play a role in the building or celebration of public displays of local history. At the citywide level, it primarily becomes a form of popular culture for commercial uses.
On the other hand, Bodnar focuses on celebrating national history. He focuses on the commemorations of the American Revolution and the Civil War. As discussed by Bodnar, the intent of these displays was to “reinforce citizen loyalty to a nation-state and diminish attachments individuals may have held toward a region, a locale, or a communal group” (Bodnar, 1991, p. 243). Where are Glassberg discussed celebration to remember the origins because of continuing transformation, Bodnar discuss the contemporary political goals to transform interpretations of the past of apparent rebellion against political authorities (Bodnar, 1991).
This week’s readings discussed public displays of history in the form of pageantry and their uses. There are various forms of pageantry. Parades and plays are common displays, if not the most common, for celebrating a city’s local history and even national history. These celebrations serve multiple purposes. I believe Glassberg (2001) summed it up the best with, “urban residents have been governed by not only their economic and administrative systems but also by public displays of history in celebrations that cultivate the powerful emotion of rooting for the home team” (p. 85). I found the readings helpful in explaining local and national pageantry for various historical events and their uses.

Reference
Bodnar, J. E. (1991). Remaking America: Public memory, commemoration, and patriotism in the
twentieth century. Princeton, N.J: Princeton University Press.
Glassberg, D. (2001). Sense of history: The place of the past in American life. Amherst:
University of Massachusetts Press.

Week 9: Public Displays of History - Monuments

Public displays of history or monuments are powerful. Anything with power can too be a controversial issue. Monuments are no exception. This is the focus and argument of the week nine reading. Levinson and Glassberg both seek to present this argument in their writings.

Levinson discusses the controversy behind various monuments. These monuments provoke thought, which more than likely will lead to open discussion. He discusses various social and legal arguments concerning the monument, construction (including artist), and possible destruction of side monument. Reasons for possible deconstruction may include public uproar concerning accuracy, representation of figures and/or events on display, and/or use of public space. Levinson looks at the many factors that may affect public displays of history in the form of monuments.

Continuing with the topic of controversy around monuments and public space is reading 2. Glassberg focuses on war heroes of a small town in Massachusetts. Prior to being erected, an obelisk was questioned by the community. After an open discussion about the use of the public space, the community decided to reserve the space for a monument (viewed as a beautification project). This did not go without controversy. Great War veterans were upset, along with some community members. The veterans created and celebrated their own memory. This is not uncommon for a certain group to feel left out or underrepresented in public memorials. Memorials of figures and events in a monument form can and possibly will always be a controversy because of the diverse points of view.

Overall, the readings discuss the power behind monuments. Both Levinson and Glassberg utilize various examples of monuments that demonstrate power. The power provokes controversy in different ways, including thought provoking open discussion and even deconstruction. Monuments, whether agreed upon or not, relates the past to the present.

Week 7: Cultural Resources Management in the 20th Century

This week’s readings are a continuation of the historical preservation discussion. The readings present different approaches to historical preservation. Glassberg discuss a more private or local approach, whereas Waldbauer discuss a large governmental approach.

Glassberg argues for local historical preservations with case study examples. He deemed historical preservation to be driven by memory, which is a reoccurring theme throughout the book, Sense of History. For the Massachusetts case study, the residents prove Glassberg’s theory of history being driven by memory when discussing place of personal significance. Due to the fact that history is memory driven, the story can change from generation to generations and even from person to person. The case study on California was more about preserving the stories of miners and lands of elder family members. The residents validated their thoughts and memories through images of the past.

Waldbauer discusses the national approach used by federal government for lands, districts, etc of national significance, with a discussion of the federal preservation movement. This movement merges culture and nature preserving land of significance. After scientific validation, the land would be preserved. There are many different sites being preserved by the federal government. The article also focuses on Antiquities Act of 1906, which grants the US President “authority to protect areas of public land by designating national monuments” (Waldbauer and Hutt, 2006, p. 42). Unlike the local approach, the governmental approach is supported by laws.

The readings present persuasive arguments for ways to approach historical preservation; local versus national. In my opinion, both approaches are valid and very much need. Local museums and private historical societies can provide attention to local history. They are able to see what is important to their town and share that with residents and tourists. This grants local towns a sense of history and pride driven by memory. On the other hand, the larger form of historical preservation (federal government) is greatly needed. A country should know of historical grounds. This will provide a larger sense of history and pride driven more for remembrance.

Week 6: Historic Preservation – Beginnings

This week’s reading address historical questions concerning historic preservation. Both Nolan and Lindgren focus on historic preservation as it relates to the academics and public history. Nolan focuses on styles of historic preservation/restoration relate to the academic theories of modernism and post-modernism. Whereas, Lindgren focuses specifically on personalism versus professionalism.

Nolan (1998) discusses preservation versus restoration. Discrepancies in strategies for preservation suggest there’s a lot of confusion about what history constitutes. Specifically, concerning “legitimacy of privileging one person or period over another, and over the currency of scientific interpretation of “truth” in non-academic contexts” (Nolan, 1998, p. 253). Presenting history will always be tricky because it will solely depend on how the story is told. Honestly, I feel that there will always be something challenging about a historic tale or presentation. Museums, as well as other historic sites will continue to spark discussion of the way the history of a person and/or period is presented. Nevertheless, this is good because it will get people to have a discussion and hopefully hear the other side of the story.

Lindgren (1996) discusses the transition from personalism to professionalism. Initially, preservation was an all women’s movement and eventually transitioned to a male dominated field. “During the progressive era, men were entering the preservation fielding greater numbers and slowly moving its focus from the well-established interests of Bush and other women” (Lindgren, 1996, p. 42). Personalism is a perspective that embodies “old-time buildings and historic sites as ones that embodied home values, family ties, and face-to-face community” (Lindgren, 1996, p. 42). I think personalism in historic societies still exist, perhaps on a smaller level. Professionalism made the field of historic preservation official; contributed meaning to the business and scientific thought adopted during the progressive era (Lindgren, 1996). Personally, I felt the article reviewed males becoming dominant in an initially woman’s field as though males brought professionalism to something that was simply personal to women.

I believe the discussion of historic preservation having an important role in academics of public history is persuasive and valid. When I entered the Doctoral program for Information Studies, I desired to look into historic library records and other materials. Historic preservation becoming entering professional was a great blessing for me and my historic research. For example, accession books which would show circulation records of libraries prior to computers. Though, I felt a bit of bias for the women of personalism, I understand the depth that Nolan and Lindgren place on historic preservation in academics.

Reference:
Lindgren, J. (1996). A new departure in historic, patriotic work: Personalism, professionalism, and conflicting concepts of materials culture in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. The Public Historian, 18(2), pp. 41-60.

Nolan, J. & Buckman, T. (1998). Preserving the postmodern, restoring the past: The cases of Monticello and Montpelier. The Sociological Quarterly, 39(2), pp. 253-269.

Week 4: History Museums – Transformations

James and Lois Horton address historical questions concerning slavery and public history. The focus of the book concerns slavery and the amount of complexity public historians face when they attempt to discuss “the nation’s most enduring contradiction: the history of American slavery in a country dedicated to freedom” (Horton, 2006, p. vii). Slavery and Public History also presents the evident lack of public knowledge about slavery and seeks to contribute to filling in the gap in knowledge.
Horton (2006) argues, the United States of America are based on human freedom, yet the nation was shaped by human slavery. James and Lois Horton utilize other researchers/writers to explore various topics of slavery in order to sufficiently support their argument and to cover subcategories of slavery, such as the public’s perception. I appreciate the organization of this collection. It starts with “Coming to Terms with Slavery in the Twenty-First-Century America” by Berlin who simply puts it as “American history cannot be understood without slavery” (Horton, 2006, p. 2). It continues with telling the truth about history (Blight), the uncomfortable dialogue of slavery (Horton), etc. Linenthal points out, “All of these essays assume the historical and moral importance of engaging America’s indigestible stories” (Horton, 2006, p. 214).
This argument, which is based on the contradiction of the nation and the public facing and dealing with the uncomfortable realization of slavery, is indeed persuasive and valid. James and Lois Horton use a collection of essays by various scholars who understand the importance and morality in coming to terms and understanding slavery. Slavery has always been a touchy and sensitive subject, not only because the contradiction, also because it’s continuing effects. I expect it continue to be in many areas of Academia and various Organizations. It is time for further discussion by all arenas. The cliché sayings that ring true are, “your history helps you understand your future” and “if you don’t know where you come from, you will not know where you are going.”
This book is not just for those who are studying American history and/or African American history. It is also for everyone. It must be understood that American history is African American history and you cannot sufficiently discuss one without discussing the other, this includes the thorn topic of slavery. Overall, I found this book to be intriguing and I plan to share it with others, inside and outside of the academic world.
Sorry for the late post for week four (death in the family really threw me off).

Week 5: Curatorial Crises of the Late 20th Century

A Curator has the duties to secure or keep cultural heritage institutions such as galleries or museums. In the 20th century, Curators are facing more and more conflict when attempting to display various exhibitions of American history. For example, the Battle Royal involving the exhibit of the B-29 Bomber Enola Gay at the National Air and Space Museum (NASM). The plan to display the B-29 Bomber on the 50th anniversary of the bombing on Hiroshima, Japan caused an uproar that would be remembered by different people and for different reasons. Despite Hewitt, director of NASM, meeting with many various groups (historians, veterans, etc) the view of what Japanese people would feel may have not been considered. Due to the conflict of the display, other exhibits may be down played or even removed from future plans. For example, the proposed NASM exhibit on airpower during the Vietnam War “was shelved because of the struggle surrounding the Enola Gay” (Dubin, 1999, p. 225). We all know and understand, when you tell the story of history, you are telling a specific side of the story for whatever reason or action that is being portrayed, such as the displaying a portion of the Bomber and images from the time showing the defeat of another nation. As chapter 7 discusses, “museums have become places where conflicts over some of the most vital issues regarding national character and group identity-the struggle between universalism and particularism-regularly break out” (Dubin, 1999, p.245). I agree with Dubin saying it’s a display of power; everyone is attempting to lift the most weight in order to win the competition. In reality, can a win-win situation exist for the Curator and the public…will there always be a group that is offended by the story and/or the storyteller? If storytellers “fully” examine the story, the intention behind the project, and those involved (both sides) we could reduce a lot of the conflict.

Week 3: Defining Memory

The editor addresses historical questions concerning the importance of local museums in the communities. The creation/ development of memories and how they are impacted by local museums are important topics to give further consideration.
The editor argues, “local museums are central to understanding the forces that create communities in the United States” (Levin, 2007, p. 25). Levin utilize other researchers/writers to explore various types of museums and their impact on communities over time in order to sufficiently support her argument. Despite the constant restraints that local museums face, it is important that America keeps them alive for many reasons. As the collection makes obvious, museums are constantly changing, yet they reflect spirits of a specific time or era. They have a major impact for communities because they create/develop the memory of the residents. Perhaps, giving them something to be proud of and/or share with their children; creating more memories.
This argument, the importance of local museums in communities, is indeed persuasive and valid. Levin uses a collection of articles that discuss various local museums, the history, and the impact they have local communities. The article in the collection has many focuses; constant changes, funding, popularity, locations, etc. I really like how the Levin separated the collection of articles in six parts. I think it is very helpful to a reader not familiar with Public History and museums.
As the editor of the book, Levin knows the exact intention of the collection of articles concerning the importance of local museums and defining memory. The framework section had a great impact for me. It helped me to with my personal ability to gain more perspective into my own studies. In my research, I look at the impact and representation that public libraries had during the Civil Right Movement. I did not think of Civil Rights museums as a resource to access the residents for Oral History projects, or as a way to gain a different perspective from White residents of the time.
This book is not just for those who are studying history or museums. It is also for those who are patrons to the museums. Overall, I found this book to be one of those outlook changing books. Especially with my studies of public libraries and the impact they have had throughout history. More than likely, I will use and think of this book when I am thinking about the how people obtain and define public history.

Reference:
Levin, A. K. (2007). Defining memory: Local museums and the construction of history in
America's changing communities. Lanham: AltaMira Press.

Chapter 5: Place and Placelessness in American History

The author addresses the historical questions concerning place and placelessness. Sense of place is defined by the author as, the making of place consciousness. Whereas, placelessness is defined as, the feeling belonging in no particular place.
The author’s argument concerning place and placelessness is that the value we associate with a place will shape our sense of place .What is the author’s argument(s) about historical question they are trying answer? The sense of place is determined by many things, as discussed by the author. “My observations concerning the importance of place attachments in American life stem not only from my own experiences and research but also from a burgeoning scholarly literature in environmental psychology, folklore, and cultural geography, as well as history and nature writing” (Glassberg, 2001, p. 112). Thee author goes on to discuss our sense of place as adults. The sense of place reflects imprints of childhood environmental attachments; however, it is further developed and reinforced by the social networks we participate in as adults.
I find this argument to be persuasive because my personal sense of place does come from childhood memories and experiences. However, as I grow older as an adult I have a more developed sense of understanding what that place represents through various interactions. This further established the notion discussed in chapter one; sense of history and sense of place are inevitably entangled.
The author continues on to discuss six axioms for thinking about place in America.
1. Sense of place does not spring naturally from the environment – individual understand places differently depending on how they have experience them, which is then shaped by social characteristics.
2. Places, in the end, are not interchangeable with other places – We make places by first building upon or preserving nature, then we remake those places by attaching our memories and meanings to them.
3. Place values are rooted in the material world – Though our values are shaped by personal background, social, and cultural norms, it is hard to value the invisible. We hold ceremonies, erect monuments, and mark historical site/district to make places visible.
4. We experience places as overlapping locales with permeable boundaries –significant places in life are in multiple locales. We live in one town but also identify with another – root for its sports teams, follow its weather.
5. We articulate a sense of place in dialogue with others – sentimental attachment to place remains subconscious and only emerges in conversations with others, usually when the places important to us are threatened (sense of ownership).
6. Our sense of place and history are inextricably intertwined – every place is also a sense of time.
Overall, I found this chapter to be informative. It enlightened me on defining place as well as placelessness. A key strength for this article is the six axioms for thinking about and discussing place in America. It allows me to further develop my personal sense of various places by thinking about the six proverbs and understanding where that value I associate with the place comes from and why.

Reference:
Glassberg, D. (2001). Sense of history: The place of the past in American life.
Amherst: University of Massachusetts Press.

Chapter 1 - Sense of History

The author addresses the historical question concerning the creation and development of the sense of history. Sense of history as defined by the author is “a perspective on the past at the core of who they are and the people and places they care about.” Ultimately, the sense of history mirrors the intersection where the intimate and the historical perspectives meet.

The author’s argument concerning the sense of history is that people, places, events, and experiences develop one’s sense of history. This sense of history may vary from person to person. The author used his own life experiences to support his argument. The author starts off with stories of how he developed his own sense of history; two tables helped him in this process. The first table at John Hopkins University where he and his cohort sat around a table rumor to have been held prominent historians, such as Woodrow Wilson, Herbert Baxter Adams, and Fredrick Jackson Turner. The second table, referred to as the “green table” while a seasonal ranger, where he gained a wider range of what history could mean. For example, during his stint as a ranger he encountered the Puebloan people. The Park Service did not consider them o be historic, but, prehistoric. Instead, they could the town further down and built a few years ago historic.

This argument of what creates and develops the sense of history is indeed persuasive and I find it to be valid. At the most intimate level, he mentions autobiographical memory and reminiscence, the way people form a coherent personal identity and sense of self in reviewing their past experiences. In addition, communication about the past within families. In our ancestors’ experiences, history is made. History is then past down. My personal sense of history is composed of people, places, events, and experience; not all belonging personally to me. For example, the African American struggle during the Civil War and the later the Civil Rights Movement is apart of my sense of History.

As the author continues to discuss the origins of the sense of history, he notes that the intimate places for learning will inevitably interact with public places, such as the study of politics and collective identities, the study of pop culture, and the study of environmental perception. Unveiled is the subject of the book; public histories. The sense of history and sense of place are inevitably entangled by human nature. I liked the oxymoron “new histories.” I like that Glassberg addressed the future of the profession in the new century and understanding the organization of tradition in society has a history. This will greatly assist new Historians to ground their scholarly identity in the larger culture, as well as understand the institutional contexts in which they will operate.

Overall, I found this chapter to be more than interesting; I found it to be intriguing. I definitely desire to read further into the book itself. I believe I will learn and be enlightened by this author.