Public History
Robert Kelley’s “Public History: Its Origins, Nature, and Prospects.”
“Public History: Its Origins, Nature, and Prospects,”
“Public History: Its Origins, Nature, and Prospects,” argues that public history is more than just communicating historical knowledge to the general public.It involves actively engaging with the public, addressing contemporary social issues, and collaborating with diverse communities.
Who is the “public”?
Kelley moves beyond the simplistic notion of a single, homogenous “public.” He argues that public history must acknowledge and address the diverse interests, backgrounds, and needs of different audiences. This necessitates a nuanced understanding of the “public” that considers factors such as age, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, geographic location, and accessibility needs.
What is public history?
Public history is the practice of sharing history with the broader public in accessible and engaging ways.It goes beyond traditional academic research and focuses on making historical knowledge relevant and meaningful to diverse audiences.
According to Robert Kelley’s “Public History: It’s Origins, Nature, and Prospects,” “public history” refers to the practice of using historical methods and expertise outside of traditional academic settings.
Kelley, public history is essentially a vibrant and diverse discipline that aims to close the knowledge gap between the general public and academics, make history applicable to modern society, and develop more knowledgeable and involved citizens.
Robert Kelley, “Public History: Its Origins, Nature, and Prospects,” The Public Historian 1:1 (Autumn, 1978), 16-28.