Whose Public? Whose History? Exploring the Goals of Public Historians
What is Public History?
Educating the people about history and encouraging them to understand and interpret the past is known as public history. Grele, Ronald J., in his seminal work “Whose Public? Whose records? Examining the intricacies and objectives of public history, “What is the Goal of a Public Historian?” According to Grele, public history is about creating a conversation between historians and the general public in addition to conveying historical facts, making history relevant and approachable for a range of audiences.
Connecting Theory to Practice
Numerous places, including museums, archives, historic sites, and neighborhood associations, employ public historians. By using historical interpretations to guide present and future choices, they hope to make history relevant to the general population. Grele highlights the value of cooperation and group research in the practice of public history. According to him, communities and public historians should collaborate closely to co-create historical narratives that represent the wide range of public experiences and viewpoints.
The “Stumbling Stones” project in Europe, for instance, honors Holocaust victims by burying tiny brass plaques in the pavement outside of their last known homes. This initiative is a perfect example of Grele’s idea of public history as a cooperative endeavor that encourages everyone to consider the past and its consequences for
Numerous places, including museums, archives, historic sites, and neighborhood associations, employ public historians. By using historical interpretations to guide present and future choices, they hope to make history relevant to the general population. Grele highlights the value of cooperation and group research in the practice of public history. According to him, communities and public historians should collaborate closely to co-create historical narratives that represent the wide range of public experiences and viewpoints.
The “Stumbling Stones” project in Europe, for instance, honors Holocaust victims by burying tiny brass plaques in the pavement outside of their last known homes. This initiative is a perfect example of Grele’s idea of public history as a cooperative endeavor that encourages everyone to consider the past and its consequences for
Numerous places, including museums, archives, historic sites, and neighborhood associations, employ public historians. By using historical interpretations to guide present and future choices, they hope to make history relevant to the general population. Grele highlights the value of cooperation and group research in the practice of public history. According to him, communities and public historians should collaborate closely to co-create historical narratives that represent the wide range of public experiences and viewpoints.
The “Stumbling Stones” project in Europe, for instance, honors Holocaust victims by burying tiny brass plaques in the pavement outside of their last known homes. This initiative is a perfect example of Grele’s idea of public history as a cooperative endeavor that encourages everyone to consider the past and its consequences for
Numerous places, including museums, archives, historic sites, and neighborhood associations, employ public historians. By using historical interpretations to guide present and future choices, they hope to make history relevant to the general population. Grele highlights the value of cooperation and group research in the practice of public history. According to him, communities and public historians should collaborate closely to co-create historical narratives that represent the wide range of public experiences and viewpoints.
The “Stumbling Stones” project in Europe, for instance, honors Holocaust victims by burying tiny brass plaques in the pavement outside of their last known homes. This initiative is a perfect example of Grele’s idea of public history as a cooperative endeavor that encourages everyone to consider the past and its consequences for the present and future.
Curated Media
*Alt Text: A large Black Lives Matter mural painted on a street in Washington D.C.*
*Caption: The Black Lives Matter mural in Washington D.C., created to honor the movement for racial justice. (Photo by John Smith, June 2020, Washington D.C.)*
Conclusion
Public history bridges the gap between past and present, making history a dynamic and essential part of public life. By engaging diverse audiences and addressing contemporary issues, public historians ensure that history remains relevant and impactful. Whether through exhibitions, community projects, or digital media, public historians play a vital role in shaping our understanding of the past and its influence on the present and future.
Curated Media –
The Black Lives Matter mural can be seen at https://example.com/blm-mural.jpg.
A big mural depicting Black Lives Matter is painted on a street in Washington, D.C.
Grele, Ronald J. “Whose Public? Whose History? What is the Goal of a Public Historian?” *The Public Historian* 3, no. 1 (Winter 1981): 40-48.