On Public History

Public History is the practice of conveying history to an audience that is not specialized in the field of history being presented - generally this means a non-academic audience. Public history is history that both engages the public and invites the public to participate in the writing of history.

How appropriate that I use an internet definition, Wikipedia, to define what is commonly referred to as Public History. I will be honest by saying that prior to submitting my application for Graduate school I had not even heard of Public History. Although the term itself seems somewhat self explanatory I think there is much more to being a Public Historian than is recognized. Despite having chosen the coarse history stream I think it would have been both interesting and rewarding to have chosen the Public stream.

Public Historians have an important task ahead of them. As our readings show information is multiplying at a rate quicker than we can comprehend. With this influx of new information it will be essential to somehow relay this new information to the general public. A public that has also increased because of growing accessibility to resources and material thanks to the internet. It is however unfair to say that the responsibility to relay, sort and come to terms with this material is solely the responsibility of the public historian. It is all of our responsibility.

Through innovative methods and techniques it is our responsibility as proponents of the importance of studying history that the best and most accurate information be presented to our general public. This must be done in a way that is comprehensible, stimulating and yet resourceful. Whether a career is chosen in a government field, a library, a university or wherever your research may take us it becomes essential that we come to terms with the direction we as historians are headed. Perhaps most importantly though is the question of where the material we are studying is or will be headed in the future.