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.