Public history is booming today, and it was interesting to see. Many years ago when I was a student of history at Simmons College in Boston great, people always say, “Well, that’s good, but what would you do with a degree in history?” Therefore my second degree in communications, which will cause the job that “real”, “I assured.
Currently, public institutions and the Museum of History Department of the open and grow because there are a lot of real work in the history of the community. In Massachusetts alone, where I am based, there is a new Institute for Public History Gordon College, a similar program at Simmons College, museum studies at Harvard and Tufts Universities, and the list continues.
What is a “common history”, you ask?
Very simply, it is “history” made outside the classroom. Re-enactments, tours, interpretation of historic houses, and demonstrations of traditional craft skills – this is a good example, and there is a more static methods such as historical murals, statues of historical figures, interpretive panels at the park or along streets and historic markers.
For your business, historical society offers great opportunities for visibility and to show that you care about your local history. Think about the word “public” in the history of the community. “Public history is made in the open air, in public, and potentially reach thousands of people.
And I can not think of a public history initiative that does not support. Talented people doing what they do for love, but they deserve to be paid and public history projects to be financed. Our stories to tell – and that is history – history is about who we are, how we got where we are today and what we can learn for tomorrow. The stories are inspiring, thought, and important. When he said outside the classroom, the stories resonate. They stay with us.
With the support of public history practitioners and sites that your company dollars, smart marketing and PR, not only will your company a great advantage over your investments, you also will be part of something “big” – something meaningful and sustainable. These are two very big “win.”
Here are three examples of the history of public initiatives that you may come back.
• Contact your local National Park Service site.
Many Park Service site has a group of friends is very important that the funding for the programs, offers, publications, collections acquisition, restoration projects, marketing and public relations – whatever. And I happen to know that the Park Service itself, the historic building site, at least the federal funds that will be accepted (for reasons explained). These sites have financial, and marketing programs to help and they do some of the best general history of work out there. Think of Minuteman National Historical Park in Concord, MA, Adams National Historical Park in Quincy, MA, Salem Maritime National Historic Site in Salem, MA, and the Longfellow National Historic Site in Cambridge, MA. I was lucky enough to warm relations with staff from each place to enjoy, and the star of this tour, lectures, reenactments and demonstrations – all for free. Park Service Rangers really bring history to life with flair and passion. And if you’re with them, will the prestige of the National Park Service in connection with your business. That’s good.
• Find players back in your community.
It’s not fun like a starving actor, and people make history “real” in a way that significant and lasting impact on their audience. I am sure you have the actors in the historical characters faced, whether it’s at Plimoth Plantation in Plymouth, MA, Orchard House in Concord, MA where “Louisa May Alcott” (aka January Turn Navigation Samsonov) often indicate, at events like the Bicentennial when Margaret Fuller “Margaret” (aka Jessa Piaia) and Edgar Allan Poe (aka Rob Velella) engage in animated conversation about literature and transcendentalism in Concord rectory, or Derby House in Salem, MA, where “Mr. and Mrs. Derby” (also known as the husband and real-life wife of Jim Hollister and Emily Murphy) to discuss the beginning of 1800 Salem, politics, business, and gossip. Children, especially, love this! And you can become a real hero in the community with these talented players will support. And do not forget to invite them to appear at your workplace!
• Work with your local museum, historic home.
Many of these houses are owned by your historical society, but some are managed by an independent or regional nonprofit organizations. Here in New England, for example, Historic New England and the managers of their own home ordering dozens of historic importance, along with the National Park Service, historical society and museum, Daughter of the American Revolution, trusts and family. Whatever the size of the organization to manage, all historic properties to assist with maintenance, marketing and fundraising. You may visit some of these places yourself, so you know, fine, historic house “describes” the past in interesting ways. They hold what we call our material culture historians’. “By way of guided tours, lectures, demonstrations of traditional crafts and skills, the houses of our ancestors to give the visitor a clear sense of what it’s like living in the last century. Find out how you can contribute!
Tactics to take out one suggestion is a “partnership from the beginning,” a phrase coined by Lisa Sasevich business coach. You do not just write a check, you entered a strategic partnership that will benefit both parties.
Be proud of your association shamelessly with your public historians, site or project. Market’s from what you do and why. You will attract new customers and give your customers an extra reason to be loyal to you.
Invite your new partner to give a presentation at your location for your staff and customers. Host a special reception for customers and prospects with your partner. Giving discounts to everyone who joined the nonprofit. Opportunities to promote and celebrate both sides of your partnership is not limited!
Benefits for your company, people and nonprofit organizations to support you, and the general public can be great – and very useful. Many of the “win.”
