Public History News

PUBLIC HISTORY NEWS .. Volume 16, Number 2 c "' >i :Winte:1996' _ ~ r, ~ ~ _ '" "'" < • < ---:----:---:----~------.--- SEATTLE TO HOST THE ABOUT OUR 1996 NCPH ANNUAL MEETING MEMBERS • Daniel R. Bilderback and Michael S. by Lisa Mighetto Binder are co~investigators on a project re and Bill Bryans cently funded by the Department of Defense's Legacy Resource Management NCPH members will Progralli; This project will, within a na soon be making their way tional histodc context, document a little to Seattle, one of the knownqn):{under-ajJpreciated aspect of nation's top tourist desti eqrly U.s?'<A1d War military strategy-the nations. to attend the 1996 complete civilian control of the manufac-:' annual meeting. Co-spon tureandctlstody of U.S. nuclear weapons. sored by the Pacific North The researchers will record-in text, draw west Historians Guild and ings, and photographs-twelve former the Northwest Oral His special weapoQs manufacturing and stor- ! tory Association, the con age comp1exc::s located on DOD installations ! ference will focus on the in eleven states. theme, "History and the Public Interest." The pro gram committee, chaired • David G. Vanderste1, NCPH Execu by Robert Weible of the tive Director and Senior Research Associate Pennsylvania Historical inthe.POLISCenter at IUPUI, has been and Museum Commission, Mmed chair of a statewide conference on has prepared several days the teachingof history in Indiana, sched of workshops and sessions uled forc::arly 1997. David is currently that will examine many involve~in, two Lilly Endowment spon important topics, such as sored projects-one examining the influ the interpretation of con ence ofreJigiQJ;linlndianapolis during the troversial history; regional years 1905~1925; the other focusing on the and community history; development of currkulum and discussion oral history; historical materials regarding the teaching of the role commemorations and A Citl55ic vic,,' vlthc SCdttic si::)'lille 1"'111 L1uemAlllle.lt.itlt the SI'Clce of religion in American history. celebrations; the use of Needle ill the 1~'ft';!.r"llItJ IlII" ;\[t. Raillicr ill the distilllCC, (Photobral'h new technologies in muse courtes), ofScdttiecKill;!. Ce'IIlI/I' Cel /II'OIti"1l alld Visitelrs Burei/II) ums, archives, and else- • New Members where; environmental history; public policy; and history in the National Park Service. Edward L Ayers, Charlottesville, VA Among the many events will be a keynote address delivered by Michael Wallace, affili- Hannah Blake, Albany, NY ated with John Jay College of the City Peter Booth, Tucson, AZ Volume 16, Number 2 University of New York. Professor Pamela [Colbert; Collegeville, PA Winter 1996 Wallace will present his address titled, TirriCrimmins, Atlanta, GA "Culture Wars; History Front," at the wa Alex ~enacher, Alameda, CA A Quarterly Publication of the National terfront Seattle Aquarium following a Jim.M'¢)3t!iian,GenttalCollege, Pella, fA Thursday evening reception. Council on Public History in cooperation T eren,:cel'.'McQuoWn, Nashville, TN The Local Arrangements Committee, with the Department of History. Indiana Rt':b~2~~;I'ralher:Brownsbllrg. IN University at Indianapolis. chaired by Lisa ivtighetto, has planned a variety of special events that will highlight Pretqda'Senals Pivision Library, Birttrtitgham, AI. Jeffrey p, Brown. President a variety of the city's scenic and cultural attractions. In addition to the reception at T riciaSl1aV/,Schenedady, NY Diane Britton, Vice-president the aquarium, there will be tours to the BevetlySPfl:wartiberg, Santa Barbara, CA Patricia Mooney-Melvin, Past-president Snoqualmie Falls Historic District, Lake Karcp:;E';'SuttOh,;BaltlmOre, MD Union Ship Canal Locks and Gardens, and Marianne BabaL Secretary-treasurer Uni;;~rsit16ETdxas at Dallas, the Museum of Flight. One special activ- David C. Vanderstel. Executive Director .Ri(kii.~fh#;:YX;(i'(,:::V " . - See SeClttie !,Clge 2 ";'- ~';:;~;:;( ~ 1 " ~ Seattle (rom front page Students are also invited to share the This workshop will use four case studies ity will be a cruise on the "Lady Washing results of their public history work and related to labor and African-American ton," a replica of an 18th century tall ship. research through special poster sessions. history to shed light on how public histori Those wishing to remain in the area 6n Presentations will be scheduled through ans have dealt with controversy. These Sunday, April 14 may obtain information out the meeting in a space specifically set examples will also serve as vehicles to dis about tours to Mt. Rainier National Park aside in the exhibit area. The revolving cuss important issues constantly con and Whidbey Island. schedule for the poster sessions will be fronted by public historians. How do Registration fees for the meeting are: provided at registration. public historians and the interpretation of $75 for members; $85 for non-members; and On Thursday afternoon, NCPH will history for the public deal with topics that $45 for students. The Crowne Plaza charges offer its traditional "Careers in Public His may be controversial? What role does $90/night for single or double occupancy. tory" workshop. Panelists will discuss the memory and commemoration play in in Registration packets will be mailed to mem role of historians in government agencies, fluencing the public's perception of the bers in February. If you have questions or business and private conSUlting, and pri past when controversy is involved? How require additional information, please call vate institutions. The workshop is free to does controversy influence the relationship program chair Bob Weible at (717) 783-9867, NCPH members. between a community and its history" Is or Lisa Mighetto, local arrangements chair, at Following the workshop, there will be a the public interpretation of controversy (206) 343-0226. student reception. This gathering affords positive or negative in its effect? This students an ideal opportunity to meet peers, promises to be a timely and lively work mingle with practicing public historians, and shop of interest to a broad spectrum of Special Programs make contact with their mentors. public historians. Planned for Students Students interested in participating Five other workshops are also planned. Students have plenty of good reasons in either the mentoring program or the Those working in museums will be inter to attend the annual meeting in Seattle~a poster sessions should contact Bill ested in "Collecting, Documenting, and mentoring program, special poster ses Bryans at (405) 744-8183 or bye-mail Interpreting Museum Collections." This sions, a careers workshop, and a reception. at [email protected] Informa workshop will be presented by staff mem Begun last year, the mentoring pro tion on the workshop and reception can be bers of the National Museum of American gram pairs students attending the meeting found in the conference program. History and the team that created the new with members of the organization. This Washington State History Museum's per provides the students, many of whom are Mentors Needed manent exhibit on the state's history. attending their first professional meeting, Last year. NCPH successfully imple The Northwest Oral History Associa with a friendly contact to show them the mented a mentoring program for students tion will present a day-long oral history ropes, introduce them to other members, at the annual meeting. Mentors are paired workshop Designed for both beginning and discuss their own public history expe with students attending the meeting, and and advanced oral historians, it will in riences. Both students and mentors at last generally serve as a friendly contact and clude an introduction to oral history meth year's conference agreed it was a rewarding guide for many who will be attending their odology, with discussion of audio and experience, and the service is well on its first professional meeting. Everyone who video formats. The workshop will also way to becoming a tradition. participated last year agreed that this is a provide a variety of class exercises, and the valuable service to our future public histo opportunity to view and critique several rians and ought to continue. If you are finished products. willing to be a mentor in Seattle, contact The consultants' workshop will offer a practical introduction to the mysteries of The National Council Bill Bryans at (405) 744-8183 or bye-mail at [email protected] consulting. Through case studies and work • on Public History groups, participants will learn the proce -II promotes the application dures, terminology, and practice of profes of historical scholarship Computer Demonstrations sional services contracting, using the lederal outside the university in government, Do you have a computer program or system as a model. The emphasis will be on business, historical societies, preservation other applicatIOn that you would like to cultural resource management contracts, organizations, archives, libraries, profes demonstrate to other public historians" although other types of contracts and con sional associations, and public interest Thanks to the Seattle office of Historical tracting procedures will be discussed. groups. Research Associates, Inc., NCPH plans to "Electronic Communication for Public have a 486 IBM compatible computer with For details contact NCPH President Jef Historians" will afford the opportunity to Windows available in the exhibit area for frey P. Brown, Arts and Sciences,

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