Museums, historic societies, historic sites, archives, and libraries around the country have tackled historical topics that just a few decades ago would have been unthinkable—from the history of slavery in the north to the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire, from the lives of gays and lesbians to Japanese internment—to present a more complete narrative of our past. Doing so means delving into complex and controversial topics. Not doing so means that our sites and institutions will become increasingly irrelevant to a rapidly changing public.
Telling Untold Histories is the first unconference in the South Jersey/Philadelphia region that will help public historians and historical organizations incorporate these stories into their work. This unconference will explore the hows and whys of engaging subjects that challenge our audiences’ expectations and expand their thinking. By drawing a diverse group of public historians, scholars, students, and interested members of the general public together, this unconference will be an open forum to discuss the challenges and opportunities of doing difficult history, will give participants a chance to network with like-minded practitioners from across the region, and will teach professional skills through workshops.
Telling Untold Histories will take place on April 10, 2015, at Rutgers University-Camden. Registration is $20 (plus a small service charge) for refreshments. Find out more, including how to register, at Telling Untold Histories.
We’re also delighted to announce a partnership with the Oral History of the Mid-Atlantic Region conference, which will be held on April 9-10, 2015 at Rutgers-Camden. For more information on joint registration and events, visit Telling Untold Histories. Find the call for papers for OHMAR here.
Telling Untold Histories is made possible with the generous support of MARCH, the Committee to Advance our Common Purpose, the Rutgers-Camden History Department, and the American Studies Department at Rutgers University.