The Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography and Pennsylvania History: A Journal of Mid-Atlantic Studies published a very special collaborative issue early in January of this year. Since the beginning of 2012, Tamara Gaskell, the editor for Pennsylvania Magazine, and Bill Pencak, the editor for Pennsylvania History and professor emeritus of history at Penn State University, had been discussing a joint issue of the journals. The first time they brought it to the attention of their colleagues was during a May 2012 PMHB editorial meeting.
Pencak wrote or edited books on the American Revolution, American Jewish history, veterans in America, Icelandic legends, and, of course, Pennsylvania history. Unfortunately, he never got to see the release of the finished product. He passed away on December 9, 2013 in Atlanta, Georgia of cardiac arrest following heart surgery. This issue, entitled “Teaching Pennsylvania History,” is dedicated to his memory. Following his death, Linda A. Ries, author of Harrisburg: Images of America, filled the role of editor for Pennsylvania History.
Gaskell includes a “From the Editor” introduction at the beginning of the issue that reads:
These two different but complementary organizations, it seemed to us, had much to offer one another–and to each other’s members. As we began to discuss the focus of such a joint enterprise, Bill quickly suggested that we focus on the teaching of Pennsylvania history–a topic that both organizations are strongly committed to promoting and facilitating and that also defined Bill’s daily life and to which he was devoted. This special issue is the result of that early conversation.
As well as it being a joint effort, the issue is also different because the articles provide suggestions for teaching specific subjects or for using nontraditional methodologies in teaching Pennsylvania history to undergraduate students. Interestingly, many of the ideas that are discussed in the essays can be tailored to other topics, courses, or levels, such as secondary education. With the edition, these societies wish to provide helpful techniques in teaching the state’s specific record.
The issue contains articles from scholars such as Public Historian Seth C. Bruggeman from Temple University (“A Century of Teaching with Pennsylvania’s Historic Places”), Associate Professor of History at Susquehanna University Edward Slavishak (“Three Miles, Two Creeks: Local Pennsylvania History in the Classroom”), and Assistant Professor of History at Muhlenberg College Kim Gallon (“The Blood Demonstration: Teaching the History of the Philadelphia Welfare Rights Organization”).
Rachel Moloshok, the assistant editor for the Historical Society of Pennsylvania and the issue, states, “Logistically, collaborative issues are more difficult to produce. We had to figure out what to do about notes because Pennsylvania History uses endnotes while PMHB uses footnotes. We also had to deal with ISSN numbers and copyright, cover design, and even the overall size of the issue’s pages because Pennsylvania History and PMHB were not the same size. Still, this collaboration was a rewarding and enlightening experience; we’re hoping this issue is rewarding for teachers as well.”
“In reading the articles,” she continues, “it becomes clear that the lessons of ‘Teaching Pennsylvania History’ are not Pennsylvania-specific, or even necessarily specific to the undergraduate classroom, but can be applied to all sorts of subjects and learning environments.”
An issue such as this will ensure that the information reaches the readers in a much faster fashion. The organizations publish their issues in two forums and themed issues always draw more attention.
It took just about three years and even though there were many factors to consider, The Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography and Pennsylvania History: A Journal of Mid-Atlantic Studies worked together to create a unique issue that addresses the goals of each publication.