National Council on Public History

On Jan. 27, 2026, the NCPH Board voted to endorse @oah.org's Statement on the Freedom and Slavery exhibit removal at Independence National Historical Park. We join with OAH in continuing “to push back against efforts to erase, sanitize, or distort history.”

Ethics, AI, and the Public Humanities. A four-part speaker series from the National Council on Public History and the American Conservation Experience.

Reminder–the #Ethics, #AI, and the Public Humanities Series, presented in partnership with @usaconservation.bsky.social, begins on Jan. 29 with Defining and Demystifying “AI” and “MachineLearning.” https://ncph.org/conference/ethics-ai-and-the-public-humanities/

NCPH Webinar Series. World War II and the Home Front. January 22, 23, 28 & 30, 2026. Explore new scholarship on the American World War II home front and its legacies. Presented in partnership with the National Park Service.

The #WWII and the Home Front series continues on Wednesday with “Fences of War: Spatial Boundaries and Microhistories of WWII.” Cassie Tanks will share experiences of the home front using #OralHistories and local #archives. https://community.ncph.org/events/EventDetails.aspx?alias=WWIIWebinars2026

You can’t go home again: archiving community memory and the reclamation of Black Boston | National Council on Public History This isn’t just about visibility. It’s about memory, belonging, and the right to have one’s story preserved.

New on History@Work–#PublicHistorian and #archivist Dr. Rhonda D. Jones writes, “archiving Black Boston is not about nostalgia; it’s about possibility. It’s about asserting that our past is not a footnote to the city’s grand narrative but central to it.” #BostonHistory https://loom.ly/b_Hc-mE

Fully Funded Historical Markers. Preserving local stories and strengthening community in 2026. 1-hour workshop. January 27, 2026. 1pm Eastern time. National Council on Public History and William G. Pomeroy Foundation logos.

Discover how #HistoricalMarkers can enrich communities and highlight #LocalHistory in this workshop. You’ll learn how to identify meaningful marker topics, document historical significance, and gain insight into submitting a grant app. Register at: https://community.ncph.org/event/PomeroyJan2026

NCPH Membership Support Fund. Stay connected to community in challenging times.

If you want the benefits of #NCPHMembership but need help covering membership costs, the Membership Support Fund is here to help us stay connected by covering membership costs for those experiencing financial insecurity. Self-report anytime at: https://ncph.org/funding-need-self-reporting-form/

January 21, 2026. 2 pm Eastern. Untangling the Legislative History of National Heritage Areas. Presented in partnership with the National Park Service.

Don’t miss “Untangling the Legislative #History of National Heritage Areas,” presented in partnership with the #NationalParkService, tomorrow, Jan. 21. If you help manage or conduct research on NHAs, this one is for you! https://community.ncph.org/events/EventDetails.aspx?id=2021677&group=

NCPH Webinar Series. World War II and the Home Front. January 22, 23, 28 & 30, 2026. Explore new scholarship on the American World War II home front and its legacies. Presented in partnership with the National Park Service.

The 4-part American #WWII home front #history series begins this week! Jim Belcher, Jr. presents “Two Hearts, One Flag” on Jan. 22, and Clarissa Ceglio presents “A Cultural Arsenal for Democracy” on Jan. 23. https://community.ncph.org/events/EventDetails.aspx?alias=WWIIWebinars2026 #AmericanHistory

Learning Across Landscapes: Building Global Public History Partnerships in Scotland | National Council on Public History The University of North Alabama’s (UNA) summer study abroad experience in Scotland demonstrates that regional universities can create meaningful international public history experiences for their students. Co-led by public historians from UNA and archaeologists from Historic Environment Scotland (HES), the program gives students a rare opportunity to work directly with international heritage institutions, applying classroom …

New on History@Work. Assistant Professor of #History Carolyn Barske Crawford reflects on how to create meaningful #InternationalPublicHistory experiences for students. https://ncph.org/history-at-work/learning-across-landscapes-building-global-public-history-partnerships-in-scotland/

Fully Funded Historical Markers. Preserving local stories and strengthening community in 2026. 1-hour workshop. January 27, 2026. 1pm Eastern time. National Council on Public History and William G. Pomeroy Foundation logos.

In a 1-hour workshop, William G. Pomeroy Foundation #historians will guide participants through the process of researching compelling marker subjects, navigating the application, and drawing inspiration from #HistoricalMarker examples. Register at: https://community.ncph.org/event/PomeroyJan2026

Pitch to History@Work. The NCPH blog, History@Work, publishes posts that reference and build on the existing field of public history writing, reflection, and practice. Send us a 1-3 paragraph pitch for consideration. Email pitches to historyatwork@ncph.org.

Do you have #writing goals for 2026? Consider publishing with the NCPH #blog, History@Work. We review 1-3 paragraph pitches related to #PublicHistory. Send your pitch to historyatwork@ncph.org to get started. https://ncph.org/history-at-work/guidelines/

Vote in the NCPH election. Voting closes Jan. 15, 2026. Help shape the future of our organization.

Voting is closing soon! You have until Thursday, January 15, 2026 to help shape the future of NCPH by casting your #vote this election cycle. Check your email for the link to your personal ballot from SurveyMonkey.

2026 NCPH Awards. ncph.org/about.awards. Nominate the Best in Public History. Deadline: February 1, 2026

Despite challenges, public historians are producing projects, conducting analyses, practicing grassroots history, and providing consulting and volunteer services. Let's recognize them! Nominations for the Best in Public History for 2026 are due Feb. 1, 2026. https://ncph.org/about/awards/

January 21, 2026. 2 pm Eastern. Untangling the Legislative History of National Heritage Areas. Presented in partnership with the National Park Service.

Kick off a new year of programming with us on Jan. 21! The event will help managers of NHAs, as well as Congressional staff and researchers, better understand the legislative history behind NHAs as they make management decisions. https://community.ncph.org/events/EventDetails.aspx?id=2021677&group=

Ethics, AI, and the Public Humanities. A four-part speaker series from the National Council on Public History and the American Conservation Experience.

What do we mean when we talk about #genAI? We’ll be tackling this question in “Defining and Demystifying #AI and #MachineLearning,” part 1 of this 4-part series with @usaconservation.bsky.social https://ncph.org/conference/ethics-ai-and-the-public-humanities/

Small Giving Matters. "NCPH fosters a vibrant and diverse community of practice for public historians of all kinds. NCPH and its members have supported me throughout my career, from my time as a graduate student to my current work as a historical consultant. I give to ensure that our organization continues to be a forceful advocate and resource for current and future generations of public historians." Quote from NCPH Member Laura Miller. Just $20 from each NCPH member = $31,300. ncph.org/giving/annual-fund-2

As you make your end-of-year contributions, we hope you will consider making a #donation to NCPH’s #AnnualFund. Your support helps us keep most of our events on a pay-what-you-can model to remain within reach of our whole community. Learn more and give at https://ncph.org/giving/annual-fund-2/.

NCPH Webinar Series. World War II and the Home Front. January 22, 23, 28 & 30, 2026. Explore new scholarship on the American World War II home front and its legacies. Presented in partnership with the National Park Service.

The #WWII and the Home Front Series kicks off on Jan. 22, 2026 with “Two Hearts, One Flag.” Jim Belcher, Jr. will share the WWII survival stories and life lessons of James Belcher, RMC USN Ret and Toyoko Inoue, his parents. https://community.ncph.org/events/EventDetails.aspx?alias=WWIIWebinars2026

On Jan. 21, two historians hired to write a #LegislativeHistory of National Heritage Areas will share knowledge that can help inform future management decisions for these nationally important landscapes. #NPS Register at: https://community.ncph.org/events/EventDetails.aspx?id=2021677&group=

Heads up! The NCPH office will be closed December 22-January 2 as our staff unplugs to rest and enjoy the holiday season with family and friends.

🚨 Stop the national park sell-off! Tell your Senator to vote NO on Lee Amendment #3972 to Interior Appropriations.

Call now: npca.org/dial.

Building a national park through advocacy: the Blackwell School National Historic Site | National Council on Public History The Blackwell School National Historic Site shows how direct and indirect advocacy can be a vital tool for protecting national historic sites after they are established.

New on History@Work. Cristóbal López presents a case study on how #advocacy efforts helped establish a #NPS site, and now, how advocacy must be used to protect it. https://ncph.org/history-at-work/building-a-national-park-through-advocacy-blackwell-school-national-historic-site/

National Council on Public History New Resource. Best Practices for MA Programs in Public History.

We’re pleased to share the newest version of "Best Practices for MA Programs in #PublicHistory," updated by NCPH's Curriculum and Training Committee. We hope you’ll share this #resource widely! https://ncph.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/NCPH-Best-Practices-for-MA-Programs-in-Public-History.pdf

Small giving matters. The way our educational and cultural institutions interpret and teach stories about our shared past is under unprecedented scrutiny. History practitioners are under threat like never before. If funding slips, we lose the gatherings, mentorship, and practical resources that keep public historians connected and protected. Your gift to NCPH is vital to keep this community strong, visible, and ready to meet this moment. Erika Wilhite, NCPH Member. Just $20 from each NCPH member = $31,300. ncph.org/giving/annual-fund-2

In the season of #giving, we ask those who are able to consider donating to the NCPH annual fund. Your support allow us to serve the #PublicHistory community in challenging times. https://ncph.org/giving/annual-fund-2

The Investigative Project on Race and Equity hosted a virtual training this fall on “Investigating History for Reparative Storytelling.”

The session gave reporters tools to weave history into accountability reporting and to uncover how systemic racism shapes today’s news.

✍🏼 tinyurl.com/4mebwzm9

Vote in the NCPH Election. Nov. 4, 2025 - Jan. 15, 2026. Help shape the future of our organization.

Before we ring in the New Year, help us plan for the future by casting your #vote in the NCPH election! Check your email for the link to your personal ballot from SurveyMonkey, and choose from a batch of exceptionally qualified candidates.

An argument for the basics: advocating for reference projects in this time of erasure | National Council on Public History In this time of erasure and censorship, basic historical reference resources remain crucial—yet often overlooked—tools in providing accessible and inclusive historical knowledge to the public.

New on History@Work. In a time of historical erasure, why should we focus on protecting digital encyclopedias? #PublicHistorian Emma Wiley makes “an argument for the basics.” #blog https://ncph.org/history-at-work/argument-for-the-basics-advocating-for-reference-projects-in-this-time-of-erasure/

Ethics, AI, and the Public Humanities. A four-part speaker series from the National Council on Public History and the American Conservation Experience.

NCPH and @usaconservation.bsky.social Mellon Humanities Program designed a series to help #PublicHistorians and #PublicHumanitarians get our heads around #genAI technology and its impact on our work. https://ncph.org/conference/ethics-ai-and-the-public-humanities/

This L.A. Museum Is Standing Up to Trump’s Whitewashing, Vowing to ‘Scrub Nothing’ The Japanese American National Museum stands out among cultural institutions by refusing to bend to President Trump’s attacks on diversity, history and the truth.

Museums across the country have scrambled to react—and in many cases, comply—to the Trump administration’s attacks on DEI programs and policies.

The Japanese American National Museum, a relatively small institution in downtown Los Angeles, chose a different path.
capitalandmain.com/this-l-a-mus...

NCPH Membership. Lines for To and From.

Looking for a last minute #gift for the #PublicHistorian in your life? We offer gift memberships! Pick the appropriate membership tier and purchase it. Then, we work with you to get the membership set up in the name of your giftee. https://community.ncph.org/store/ListProducts.aspx?catid=890408&ftr=

NCPH Webinar Series Rescheduled! World War II and the Home Front. New Dates: January 22, 23, 28 & 30, 2026. Explore new scholarship on the American World War II home front and its legacies. Presented in partnership with the National Park Service.

The webinar series previously postponed due to the government shutdown has been rescheduled! Four presenters will share new scholarship on the #history of the American #WWII home front and its legacies. Find the full schedule and register at: https://community.ncph.org/event/WWIIWebinars2026