HBCUs
Racial segregation has contributed to the erasure of institutional history at HBCUs in multiple ways, including funding disparities, land-grant inequities, and narrative control. Due to systemic racial inequalities, HBCUs have long struggled with funding. State governments and federal funding programs often prioritize predominantly white institutions, leaving HBCUs with fewer resources for preservation and development. Many […]
How Does Politics Effect Public History?
Politics in Public HistoryI think that there is no way to separate the fields of politics and public history. One of the key aspects of public history is community engagement, learning the people’s stories, understanding their plights and what they want to tell. Those stories and those people’s lives are political. Two people could tell […]
Unveiling the Hidden Legacy: Racial Segregation and the Erasure of Institutional History at HBCUs
HBCUs served as vital educational establishments for African Americans during the period of segregation when other institutions denied African Americans access to higher education. The inception story of HBCUs remains excluded from public recognition mostly because of systematic racial divisions which blocked educational institutions from proper development. According to Christopher T. Emdin in his book […]
Mount Vernon: Sacred Ground or Complicated History? The Role of Shrines and Oral Tradition in Historic Preservation
The usage of “shrine” by Casper regarding Mount Vernon directs significant emphasis towards our comprehension of both preservation and interpretive practices at this historical site. The conceptual meaning of shrine points to a space that merits religious reverence since the public recognizes it as both sacred and attractive. At Mount Vernon the language creates Washington […]
The Unsung Heroes of History: Archivists’ Vital Role in Preserving, Performing, and Producing History
History remains safe with archivists because these experts maintain access to the past by properly preserving original documents which they preserve for future use. Primary source materials including documents and photographs and records and digital media receive protection from the archival role of custodianship which archivists successfully execute. Together with their preservation work they actively […]
Shared Authority in Historical Research: A New Era of Collaboration and Inclusion
Jayland Sexton explains the concept of shared authority.
Destined for Greatness : A Historical Reflection
How did my background shape my interest?
Reflections on The Heart of Teaching!
This picture represents a passionate teacher meeting her students where they are. By engaging with them and interacting with them. Interest In Education. My interest in education stemmed from my childhood, when I saw my teachers doing something that captured my eye. Empowering young minds, engaging with students and leaving a lasting imprint on an […]
Public History Reflection
Reflection Essay
Un-Sung Heroes of Historic Preservation
Dena Miles examines the role of Black women in historic preservation.
The Fundamental Connection Between Technology and Public History
How might technology enhances the production of public history?
Is it my Responsibility?
Dena Miles examines the concept of shared authority and reflective practice in public history.
Is Digital Media Our Downfall?
Digital Media
The Digital Revolution into Public History!
This picture represents holographic in a museum that gives people the opportunity to see history being explained in real time by people who lived through it! What is the role of Technology? Just as history has changed over time technology has done just the same! With those benefits, technology has been a huge part of […]
Echoes of the Past, Digital Voices: Public History in the Technological Era
What is the role of technology in the production of public history? What is the most engaging use of technology in public history?
Bringing History to Life: The Transformative Role of Technology in Public History
Modern technology has transformed how history gets produced as well as shared and experienced by people. Public history obtains powerful tracking capabilities through modern technology to convert history into a more available form with interactive features and increased engagement. Public historians now have innovative digital technology tools according to Bethany K. Blackstone in her article […]
Technology in MY HISTORY????
The role of technology in the production of public history is accessibility. A big question in any research is how to disseminate it to others. One of the things the field of history tries to do is, “the attempt to leverage knowledge on behalf of social change”[1]. How would you enact social change without any […]
The Role Technology has on Public History
The Impact of Technology in Public Engagement
Politics In Public History!
The role of politics in public history. Public Historians play a huge role in our society because they engage in all topics by giving historical interpretations that are beneficial to all audiences. Public historians engage with their work by challenging political narratives. Politics plays a deep role in public history because it can influence how […]
Navigating Politics in Public History Practice
The intersection of public history and politics is strikingly evident in current events. Recent debates surrounding Confederate monuments, for instance, highlight how historical memory is contested terrain, mirroring the struggles for representation discussed by Hayward and Larouche in the context of African American museums.
Navigating the Line: Politics and Objectivity in Public History
Public history significantly depends on political intervention because politicians determine the methods that shape how historical stories develop along with their preservation and display. The purpose of public historians is to present historical interpretations to diverse audiences requiring the selection of what stories to emphasize along with their specific frameworks for presentation. The process of […]
The Role Politics Play in Public History
Framing History Through Politics: The Suppression and Upliftment of Black Cultural Narratives
The Historical Preservation of Mount Vernon
De’ariea Holley traces the roots of historic preservation in American patriotism.
Histroic Preservation
Kierston Hudson explores the vital role of oral history in telling the hard history of Mt. Vernon.
The Power of Oral History
Destiny Driver explores the significance of oral history in historic preservation.
Gather ’round y’all I got a story to tell
JB Cameau examines the power of oral history and the lack thereof at Mt. Vernon.
Lets explore the archives
JB Cameau examines the important work of archivists to prevent the silencing of the past.
Unveiling Hidden Narratives: The Backbones of Mount Vernon’s Legacy
Kelsey Cosey unveils the hidden narratives and the backbones of Mount Vernon.
What role do archivists play in preserving, performing, and producing history?
Kelsey Cosey asks, “What role do archivists play in preserving, performing, and producing history?”‘
Uncover The Story!
Braydon Atkins explores the hidden history of Mt. Vernon.
“Voices of the Past: Preserving History Through Oral Narratives”
Nazareth Brooks examines the confluence of tourism, oral history, and historic preservation.
What is the role of Archivists?
Zhamauri Howard examines the silencing of history in modern archives.
The Illusion of Neutrality
Dena Miles explains how archives are not neutral repositorites of information.
The Role of Archivists in Preserving, Interpreting, and Shaping History
Kori Lehman examines the role of archivists in historic preservation.
Turning Pages, Keeping Roots
Aniya Walker explains the significance of bibliophiles not only to the archives, but also to the preservation of African Amermican history.
History in the Making: The Active Role of Archivists
Destiny Driver writes about the history-making process in the archives.
The Establishment of Preserving History : A Connection to Archival Data
De’ariea Holley examines scholarship on the ethical practice of archival administration.
Archivist Performing, perserving, and producing history!
Kierston Hudson explores the role of archivists in the field of historic preservation.
The Guardians of Memory: How Archivists Preserve, Perform, and Produce History.
Ocean Dunbar uncovers the source of integrity in the archivist’s creed!
Shaping the Past: How Archivists Influence History
Nazareth Brooks looks at several scholarly sources to determine how archivist’s shape history.
The Archivists Mission!
Braydon Atkins examines the hubris of neutrality in regard to the mission of archivists.
What is Shared Authority?
Kelsey Corey examines Andrew Hurley’s “Scholars in the Asphalt Jungle.”
Is it really shared authority?
JB Cameau examines the concept of shared authority.
Who Has The Power in History?
Ocean Dunbar analyzes the tragic death of Sandra Bland in the context of shared authority.
What is shared authority? How does it impact historical research, scholarship, and exhibition?
ALLOWING THE VIEWER TO LEAD THEIR OWN EXPERIENCE?
Benefits Shared Authority!
Kierston Hudson argues that the lack of collaboration hampers institutional efforts at effecting social change.
The Impact of Shared Authority
Preface
All Things About Shared Authority
Anaya Parker analyzes two articles on shared authority.
“The Power of Passion: How ‘Outsider’ Historians Are Reshaping Our Understanding of the Past”
Destiny Driver explains the power of passion, or how outsider historians reshape our understanding of the past.
The Impact of Shared Authority on Public History
Nazareth Brooks discusses the meaning and importance of shared authority in public history.
Bring back your Roots!
Braydon Atkins explores Benjamin Filene’s article on “outsider” histories.
Is Public History Necessary?
Dean Miles explores the concept of public history through Lucy Salmon’s “History in a Backyard.”
What is Public History?
Nazareth Brooks introduces readers to public history through the work of historian Lucy Salmon.
History Now: The Necessity of Public Historians in the Decision Making Process
Amanda Elmore discusses the merits of public history as a process.
The Importance of Public History
Kiersten Hudson’s initial blog post on the importance of public history.
What Is Public History?
Kelsey Cosey explores the meaning and effect of public history.
Whose Public? Whose History? Exploring the Goals of Public Historians
Jayland Sexton makes an argument related to Public History.
A Connection to “Whose Public? Whose History? Navigating the Responsbility of Public Historians by Ronald J. Grele “
De’ariea Holley discusses the history of Ronald Grele
what is public history
Zhamauri Howard digs deep into Robert Kelley’s article from the Public Historian
Public History in all its glory…
Lauren Senegal breaks down the nature of public history in all its glory.
My History is Untold
Braydon Atkins explains how public history is untold history.
How Public History Affects Our World
Aniya Walker explains the importance of historic preservation to prevent gentrification in urban Black communities.
Public History
Destiny Driver’s first blog post about Robert Kelley’s “Public History: Its Origins, Nature, and Prospects.”
The Power of Public History
Ocean Dunbar writes her initial blog post for HIST 3301 in spring 2025.
New research funding at PVAMU to support study of Wyatt Chapel Community Cemetery
Thanks to a $20,000 award from The Summerlee Foundation, the History Department at Prairie View A&M University has begun a comprehensive historical and archaeological study of Wyatt Chapel Community Cemetery, located behind PVAMU.
African American Museum Repository
On October 2, graduate student Evelyn Todd attended the launch of Dr. Pegram’s labor of love and curiosity–the African American Museum Repository. The event was held in the A. I. Thomas Auditorium, and it featured a handful of respected historians, professors, and student researchers as speakers.
$50,000 Grant from the Texas State Library & Archives Commission
In June 2024, the Digital PV Panther Project won a $50,000 grant award from the Texas State Library & Archives Commission, and this blog post details the potential impact of the project over the next year.
Magnetometer Study of Wyatt Chapel
On March 31, 2024, archaeologists Dr. Chet Walker and Aundrea Thompson returned to PVAMU to conduct the magnetometer study of the historic burial ground of Wyatt Chapel Community Cemetery.
Finding Unmarked Graves at PVAMU
On March 12 and 13, 2024, Legacy Cultural Resources, Inc. invited ground penetrating radar specialists Dr. Chet Walker and Aundrea Thompson to visit the campus of Prairie View A&M University (PVAMU) and conduct several geophysical examinations of the historic burial ground of Wyatt Chapel Community Cemetery.
Students now, Alumni forever!
We have lost so much in the absence of the PVAMU student newspaper, and we want to amplify the voices and creative spirit of students at the oldest public HBCU in Texas. To any student interested in giving back to the university, you can start by submitting an article, short story, or poem for consideration for publication on our website.
Pedestrian Survey of Wyatt Chapel Community Cemetery
On October 21, 2023, the Digital PV Panther Project worked with archaeologists at Legacy Cultural Resources, the Wyatt Chapel Descendants Committee, and the Waller County Historical Society to conduct an Archaeological Pedestrian Survey of Wyatt Chapel Community Cemetery.
Texas Made Hip Hop: A Sonic Journey through 50 Years of Lone Star Flavor
In November, the PVAMU Department of Languages and Communication hosted the Texas Made Hip Hop Seminar on campus, and Digital PV Panther Project team member Kendall Douglass immersed himself in the symposium. Delving into the extraordinary odyssey of hip-hop, he details his experience in this blog post…
Veteran’s Day Exhibit in Coleman Library
In early November 2023, PVAMU Acquisitions Librarian Sharon Barnes and Library Associate Sabrina Francis coordinated the efforts of a host of students, staff, and, scholars to curate an exhibition for Veteran’s Day in the John B. Coleman Library. The exhibition was truly a team effort and a big hit!
Dr. George Ruble Woolfolk, “Prairie View: A Success Story” – 1981 Homecoming Convocation
On October 29, 1981, the PVAMU History program chair Dr. George Ruble Woolfolk delivered an epic address at the Golden Anniversary Homecoming Convocation titled “Prairie View: A Success Story.” Listen to his address and read the full transcription…
Accomplishments – September 30, 2023
This post contains a list of our accomplishments on the Digital PV Panther Project on September 30, 2023.
Summer RISE with the Digital PV Panther Project
In this blog post, RISE grant recipient Evelyn Kay Todd details her experience over the summer working on the Digital PV Panther Project.
“UNDER-SERVED”: The Disproportionate Impact of Food Insecurity in the TAMU System
Malachi McMahon examines the disproportionate availability of healthy food options at Prairie View A&M University in contrast to Texas A&M University at College Station.
Promotional Article on PVAMU website
The Special Collections & Archives Department at Prairie View A&M University has received a $450,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities. The funds helped establish the Digital PV Panther Project, which aims to eliminate the silences and erasures surrounding the history of PVAMU.
HIST 3312 – Digital Storytelling
For the Fall 2023 semester, we created a course in Digital Storytelling for the History program at PVAMU. The course will introduce students to digital storytelling as well as the emerging field of Black Digital Humanities. In addition to assigned readings, students will attend lab sessions and learn digital technologies and skills, such as digital exhibition curation, ArcGIS mapping, and digital content management.
Caleb Brookins: A Rewarding Experience
Caleb Brookins has moved on to greater things, but he will always cherish his time working to preserve the rich history of Prairie View A&M University.
Say My Name!
One of our most startling discoveries in 2021 was the fact that we did not know the name of a single person who had been enslaved on the plantation that later became PVAMU. This blog post reveals the name of the first enslaved person we know lived at Alta Vista.
“Silence is a Very Good Weapon”
In February 1971, PVAMU students destroyed over $200,000 of property on campus, burning down the campus security building, the Dean of Men’s offices, and the Office of Freshman Studies. They overturned a security patrol car and set it on fire, and they set fire to the Army ROTC building. This blog post by Malachi McMahon and Dr. T. DeWayne Moore explains how silence can be a powerful weapon in the hands of higher administration.
Progress to Date
In this blog post, we curated a digital exhibition in Wordpress to update stakeholders on our progress at the end of the Fall 2022 semester. We look forward to accomplishing even greater things in 2023!
Grant Accomplishments – November 19, 2022
This blog posts lists our accomplishments on the NEH grant as of November 19, 2022.
Prairie View Memorial Park Cemetery
This map of Prairie View Memorial Park Cemetery was provided by Texas Cemetery Restoration, LLC. We appreciate Dr. Jessica Ward, Assistant Professor of the Practice in the School of Architecture at PVAMU for sharing her research with the Digital PV Panther Project.
Amistad II Bookplace (2002)
In this 2002 article from the student newspaper, Erika K. Myers interviews the owners of one of the only Black-owned businesses in the city of Prairie View–the Amistad II Bookstore–which should be honored with a historic marker in the city.
A Student’s Perspective inside the DPPP
D’Asia Johnson has taken on numerous roles during her first two months working on the Digital PV Panther Project. This blog post highlights her multi-faceted experience, and it offers readers a glimpse of the work environment inside the DPPP.
Digital Preservation at PVAMU
Archival Assistant Kasedi Eason has developed into the role of historic preservation on campus, and her first blog post details her experiences curating social media, processing archival collections, and collaborating with a range of scholars on the Digital PV Panther Project.
The Archival Experience
Archival Assistant Hannah Harden is one of the hardest working members of the team at the Digital PV Panther Project, and this blog post details her multi-faceted workload and experience for the first month!
Historical Consciousness and the PV19
By analyzing the digital resources available about an important, yet understudied, chapter of local voting rights history, The PV19, Caleb Brookins demonstrates that historical understanding is required to make good decisions and achieve a heightened state of consciousness.
That Old PV Spirit
This editorial by Clearance Lee Turner in a 1961 edition of student newspaper explains the need for “That Old PV Spirit” during homecoming.
We’re Hiring!
The Student Hourly Assistant, under general supervision, will process and digitize collections, curate social media content, transcribe oral histories, conduct archival research, create video and audio recordings, compose blog entries about their work, and serve as public ambassadors for the Digital PV Panther Project.
Hourly Rate of Pay: $13.00
Job Posting Close Date: 10/05/2022
A Tale of Two Professors at Prairie View
The Texas State Library & Archives Commission (TSLAC) awarded Ms. Earles and Dr. Moore almost $20,000, and it gave Lindsay Boknight the opportunity to learn more about the amazing careers of Myrtle E. Garrett and Oscar John Thomas. This blog post examines the lives and legacies of two former professors and encourages researchers to visit the archives to examine the collections for themselves!