We need public history to help us navigate the treacherous waters of social discord and intolerance. Some, although certainly not all, of the most active public historians are already dedicated to improving civic life, harnessing the power of history to improve the world. We can learn lessons from history and understand how we got to where we are. Public history can lead to empathy and understanding and can help strengthen democratic values.

 

To this end, we are pleased to publish Why Do Public History?, a useful guide to the why and how of doing public history for community organizations. It provides a big-picture view of how to implement a storytelling project, as well as specific guidance to get started.

 

With this guide, your organization can start collecting stories from your community, sharing stories, and building community. By listening to the stories of our past, we can build a better future.