Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

National Council on Public History @ncph.bsky.social · 16h

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

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.

1 1

National Council on Public History @ncph.bsky.social · 1d

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 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.

1 2

National Council on Public History @ncph.bsky.social · 2d

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/

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

National Council on Public History @ncph.bsky.social · 3d

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/

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

2 2

Reposted by National Council on Public History

The Guardian @theguardian.com · 8d

‘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

www.theguardian.com

2 50 140

National Council on Public History @ncph.bsky.social · 6d

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

Your Voice Matters: Help Shape The Future of Our National Parks Comment Period Toolkit

d September 2025 Your Voice Matters: Help Shape the Future of Our National Parks Comment Period Toolkit ABOUT The National Park Service has opened a 30-day comment period called Improving Visitor Services in National Parks under Executive Order 14314...

bit.ly

5 5

Reposted by National Council on Public History

The Washington Post @washingtonpost.com · 8d

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.

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.

www.washingtonpost.com

18 110 140

National Council on Public History @ncph.bsky.social · 7d

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

1

National Council on Public History @ncph.bsky.social · 8d

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/

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

Reposted by National Council on Public History

National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA) @protectparks.bsky.social · 8d

🚨 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

2 18 22

Reposted by National Council on Public History

This Day (A History Podcast) @thisdaypod.com · 13d

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!

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

1 140 290

National Council on Public History @ncph.bsky.social · 9d

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/

Consultants Directory

NCPH

ncph.org

National Council on Public History @ncph.bsky.social · 10d

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

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.

3

National Council on Public History @ncph.bsky.social · 13d

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

History@Work

The NCPH Blog

ncph.org

1 1

National Council on Public History @ncph.bsky.social · 14d

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.

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

2

National Council on Public History @ncph.bsky.social · 15d

👻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

3

Reposted by National Council on Public History

NPR @npr.org · 16d

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.

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.

n.pr

27 370 1.2K

Reposted by National Council on Public History

Caitlin G. DeAngelis @caitlindeangelis.bsky.social · 20d

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...

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.

4 25 55

National Council on Public History @ncph.bsky.social · 16d

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

1

National Council on Public History @ncph.bsky.social · 17d

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/

1

National Council on Public History @ncph.bsky.social · 20d

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

1 2

National Council on Public History @ncph.bsky.social · 21d

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.

3 6

Reposted by National Council on Public History

404 Media @404media.co · 21d

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...

Librarians Are Being Asked to Find AI-Hallucinated Books

It’s a trippy time to have a library card.

www.404media.co

6 93 240

Reposted by National Council on Public History

History News Network @myhnn.bsky.social · 23d

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

Starting with a Question

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

www.hnn.us

1 8 23

Reposted by National Council on Public History

American Association for State and Local History @aaslh.org · Jun 7

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.

Home

MUSEUMS IN TEXAS ARE AT A TIPPING POINT.

www.texasmuseumstogether.com

1 2