National Council on Public History

NCPH Public History Grumpy Hour. October 14 at 7 pm ET. Horror stories welcome. Sponsored by the NCPH Consultants Committee.

Feeling grumpy about #PublicHistory? Join us on Tuesday, October 14 to commiserate with those working in the field or looking for a job in it. https://community.ncph.org/event/SpookyGrumpyHour

NCPH 2025 Virtual Grad Fair. Thank you to our sponsors! Logos displayed for Organization of American Historians; American Association for State and Local History; University of Massachusetts Boston; Oral History Association; American Historical Association; St. Mary's University Office of Graduate Admission.

The inaugural NCPH Virtual #GradFair is happening today and tomorrow! We want to thank our sponsors for helping us make this event possible for the 46 programs and 300+ people participating. #HappyNetworking #PublicHistory #MuseumStudies #Libraries

National Council on Public History Outstanding Public History Project Award. Deadline Feb. 1, 2026. ncph.org/about/awards. Two $750 prizes recognizing projects that contribute to a broader public reflection and appreciation of the past or that serve as a model of professional public history practice.

Do you know of a #PublicHistory project that’s making waves and advancing the field? Nominate it for a $750 cash prize and certificate presented at the NCPH-AASLH joint conference in 2026! Nominations must be received (not postmarked) by Feb. 1, 2026! https://ncph.org/about/awards/ph-project-award/.

National Council on Public History. Small Giving Matters. Even small amounts add up! Just $20 from each NCPH member = $31,000. "Having a community is more important than ever. I continue to give to NCPH to ensure this community of support lives on amid the current climate of attacks on history and the humanities. Giving helps to sustain this community and network in extremely challenging times." -Joe Ciadella, NCPH member

We're here to support the #PublicHistory community in all that we do. Small donations go a long way! Consider giving to our annual fund at: https://ncph.org/giving/annual-fund-2/

2026 Joint Conference. September 16-19, Providence, RI. The Work of Revolution. American Association for State and Local History. National Council on Public History.

If you’re considering presenting at the joint AASLH-NCPH conference next September, but you could use feedback, an idea, or more presenters, submit an optional early topic proposal by October 15! https://ncph.org/conference/2026-annual-meeting/topic-proposal-form/

‘This is strength’: stories of enslaved Africans in Grenada made into searchable archive Depths of Paradise project backed by British family and created by Stephen Lewis, a descendant of survivors

‘This is strength’: stories of enslaved Africans in Grenada made into searchable archive

Our friends @sierraclub.org alerted us that the NPS opened a 30-day period of public comment on Improving Visitor Services in #NationalParks. Their excellent toolkit suggests themes around which you can structure your comments by Oct. 9. https://bit.ly/4pu2LJI

White House fires much of the National Council on the Humanities The White House appeared to fire all but four members of the National Council on the Humanities, an advisory board to the head of the government’s grantmaking agency.

The White House abruptly terminated a large share of the council members advising the National Endowment for the Humanities, an advisory board to the head of the government’s grantmaking agency, retaining only four Trump appointees.

NCPH U. Virtual Grad Fair October 9-10, 2025.

📢Last call! Register for NCPH’s FREE Virtual Grad Fair by October 5! Compare 40+ programs and attend sessions designed to help you navigate what's next. https://community.ncph.org/event/GradFair2025 #PublicHistory #Museums #Library #GradSchool

NCPH History@Work. Seeking Volunteer Affiliate Editors for NCPH blog. Apply by October 17, 2025.

Want to get more involved with NCPH? Join the History@Work Editorial Committee as a volunteer Affiliate Editor! In this role, you engage in #PublicHistory conversations through the editorial process with editors and authors across the US and abroad. https://ncph.org/news/affiliate-editor-search/

🚨 We are sounding the alarm 🚨

The government shutdown will leave our parks understaffed and vulnerable, putting our most cherished places and millions of visitors at risk.

📖 Read More: https://bit.ly/4mUcCGA

📢 Act Now: https://bit.ly/430IbXR

A poster announcing a teach-in in washington DC. Sunday, October 26th - Sunup to Sundown Washington, DC - The National Mall “AMERICA’S FRONT YARD” FEATURING KELLIE CARTER JACKSON, NICOLE HEMMER, DEREK MUSGROVE, NATE DIMEO, TRESSIE MCMILLAN COTTOM, AMANDA SEALES, JODY AVIRGAN, JAMES FALLOWS, MARTHA JONES, MARCIA CHATELAIN, PAUL BUTLER, NATHAN CONNOLLY, AND MORE

Announcing a good ol’ fashioned Teach-In in Washington, DC on Sunday, October 26th.

We’ll convene for a series of lectures, stories, and conversations to celebrate and stand up for the work of history and museums.

Shoutout to @natedimeo.bsky.social for bringing this idea to us.

See you in DC!

NCPH members who are historical consultants can submit their business info to our Consultants Directory! Potential clients and employers can browse the directory or sort by experience, degree, region, and areas of expertise. #Skystorians #Consulting https://ncph.org/consultant-directory/

Webinar Series. World War II and the Home Front. November 4-13, 2025. Explore new scholarship on the American World War II home front and its legacies. Presented in partnership with the National Park Service.

Coming soon–a four-part webinar series featuring new scholarship on the history of the American World War II home front and its legacies. Find the full schedule and register at: https://community.ncph.org/event/WWIIWebinars2025 #WWIIHistory #AmericanHistory #Skystorians

New History@Work posts this week: “Imagining a Future for Public History” by Adina Langer. “The Whole Truth: Preserving African American Family History in Full Color” by Brandon A. Owens, Sr. And, "Feeling at Home in a Newport Mansion" by Isla Stewart. https://ncph.org/history-at-work/ #Skystorians

Join the AAPI Public History Directories to promote your organization or expertise! National Council on Public History.

The NCPH Asian American Pacific Islander Working Group's directories foster collaboration and information sharing across the #AAPI #PublicHistory community! Organizations can join here: https://bit.ly/AAPI-PHOrgForm. Individual professionals can join here: https://bit.ly/AAPI-PH-Form.

NCPH logo. Public History Grumpy Hour. October 14. 7 pm ET. Horror stories welcome. Sponsored by the NCPH Consultants Committee. Spider web and bats flying over full moon on graphic.

👻Join us for Grumpy Hour—where #PublicHistory meets #SpookySeason! This virtual event offers a space for commiseration, community, and much-needed venting for those working in public history or looking to find a career in it. Register at https://community.ncph.org/event/SpookyGrumpyHour

Wary of changes under Trump, 'citizen historians' are documenting the Smithsonian Historians and citizens who say they are concerned about the Trump administration's pressure on the Smithsonian are working to document exhibits, as they exist today, throughout the museum network.

Historians and citizens who say they are concerned about the Trump administration's pressure on the Smithsonian are working to document exhibits, as they exist today, throughout the museum network.

cover of the report: Black History at the Vassall Estate, Special History Study, with the National Park Service header. The image on a tan background is the signatures of members of the Black Vassall family.

Our report is published! Free and available to the public!

Black History at the Vassall Estate

Longfellow House—Washington's Headquarters National Historic Site

This is the story of a Black family in Massachusetts who exemplified the spirit of liberty.

read:
irma.nps.gov/DataStore/Do...

NCPH U. Virtual Grad Fair October 9-10, 2025.

Considering #PublicHistory, #MuseumStudies, or #Library and Information Science grad school? Attend NCPH's Grad Fair for FREE! Compare 40+ programs and attend sessions designed to help you navigate what's next. Register by 10/5 https://community.ncph.org/event/GradFair2025 #Skystorians #AcademicSky

NCPH Membership Support Fund.

The NCPH Membership Support Fund is here to cover the costs of NCPH memberships for those experiencing financial insecurity due to recent firings, funding cuts, loss of grants, etc. You can self-report your need here: https://ncph.org/funding-need-self-reporting-form/

Navigating Challenges in the Public History Workplace. Tuesday, October 7, 2025. 11:00am - 12:00pm ET. Co-sponsored by the NCPH Advocacy Committee and Professional Development Committee. NCPH logo. Image of group of people sitting in a circle talking.

Join us for a discussion on how #PublicHistorians can push back on efforts to sanitize or avoid "controversial" topics in their workplaces! Register at https://community.ncph.org/event/workplacechallenges #Skystorians

Professional photo of Jess. NCPH logo. Welcome Jess Baloun. Membership Coordinator. Please join us in welcoming Jess to the role and the NCPH staff!

Join us in welcoming the new NCPH Membership Coordinator, Jess Baloun! She is a graduate of the IU Indianapolis public history program and most recently worked for the Indiana Historical Society.

Librarians Are Being Asked to Find AI-Hallucinated Books It’s a trippy time to have a library card.

Reference librarian Eddie Kristan said lenders at the library where he works have been asking him to find books that don’t exist without realizing they were hallucinated by AI.

🔗 www.404media.co/librarians-a...

Starting with a Question Meet Clio, a pedagogical tool that doubles as a travel app to get people hooked on learning history.

🗃️ We’re kicking off a new series today on public history. www.hnn.us/article/star...

Home MUSEUMS IN TEXAS ARE AT A TIPPING POINT.

A new resource, Texas Museums Together, equips museums and related institutions with concrete information, templates, and tools to share their impact, strengthen local connections, and advocate effectively to varied stakeholders.

NCPH History@Work. Seeking Volunteer Affiliate Editors for NCPH blog. Apply by October 17, 2025. Image of computer open to History@Work About page.

History@Work Affiliate Editors collaborate with authors to publish short essays that engage with issues in #PublicHistory. Consider applying by Oct. 17, 2025 if you enjoy offering constructive feedback and want to get more involved with NCPH: https://ncph.org/news/affiliate-editor-search/

Postcard and Letter-Writing Campaign. September 17, 2025. 1:00 pm Eastern. Bring your postcard and letter-writing supplies, and we'll provide ideas, tips, and company while you write to your representatives. Co-hosted by the NCPH Advocacy Committee and Organization of American Historians. OAH and NPCH logos in top right corner, like postage on a postcard.

Advocate for #PublicHistory in community tomorrow, September 17 at 1pm ET. Co-hosted by the NCPH #Advocacy Committee and @oah.org. Register at https://community.ncph.org/events/EventDetails.aspx?alias=PostcardCampaign

Removing or editing Philly slavery exhibits is ‘un-American,’ 45 local historical groups tell Trump’s Interior secretary It's the first time a major coalition of Philadelphia's preservationist groups have coordinated a widespread opposition to President Trump and Secretary Doug Burgum's threats to Independence Park.

Forty-five local preservation and historical organizations have convened to send a message to Interior Secretary Doug Burgum: Removing or editing Philly slavery exhibits is “ahistorical and un-American.” (1/3)

NCPH U. Virtual Grad Fair. October 9-10, 2025.

Attention #PublicHistory grad programs—today is the booth registration deadline for the NCPH Virtual #GradFair, October 9-10. Booth staff will meet with prospective students from 12-3 pm ET both days. Over 100 students are registered to attend! https://community.ncph.org/page/GradFair2025