Presentism is often used to dismiss critiques of history that challenge familiar narratives. But is it just a way for historians to avoid tough questions about the past? Public history should confront these uncomfortable truths, not hide behind the comfort of curated stories. Let’s stop using presentism as a shield and start holding history accountable to reflect the full, complex truth.

This post explores the ethical crisis facing public history in digital media, revealing how major non-government historical sites are failing their responsibility to represent history truthfully online. Based on recent research, it highlights the misalignment between these sites' online presence and their educational mission, emphasizing the need for accountability—a core principle of modern public history philosophy. The post calls for a reformation of digital public history practices, urging institutions to prioritize transparency, ethical responsibility, and genuine engagement to protect the integrity of historical representation.

We need to confront the denial of responsibility for America's legacy of slavery. The nation was built on the labor of enslaved people, and modern white Americans owe an enormous debt to their descendants. We need to challenge the moral bankruptcy of dismissing this debt and emphasizes the importance of accountability in telling history truthfully, stressing that ignoring the past only deepens the need for restitution. Its past time for a reckoning with this legacy to create a more just and honest future.

Exploring the power of public history to drive new academic scholarship by spotlighting the captivating story of Ryland Randolph and Aggy. This post delves into the complexities of their relationship, the legal battles that ensued, and the enduring legacy of their story. In it, I highlight how public history initiatives can unearth hidden truths, challenge conventional narratives, and inspire further inquiry, ultimately enriching our understanding of the past.

With most of Gen Z and over 40% of Americans turning to TikTok as a primary source of news, the platform has become a key player in shaping the historical record. Consequently, public historians must engage on TikTok to ensure accurate and reliable information is shared, correct misinformation, and participate in dynamic conversations that allow historical scholarship to evolve. There are high stakes in this digital engagement, so public historians to embrace TikTok as a tool for honest and rigorous dialogue about history.

Living history sites like Colonial Williamsburg and Plimoth Patuxet often simplify and sanitize American history, reinforcing myths like the Patriot Myth. This can mislead younger audiences, giving them a romanticized view of the past. To promote a more accurate understanding, we must move beyond these portrayals and confront the full complexities of history.

Exploring the powerful impact of the Patriot Myth on American identity, and examining how this idealized narrative shapes historical perceptions and collective memory, we can highlights the dangers of ignoring historical complexities and marginalizing alternative narratives.

Disney's Pocahontas is a harmful myth that perpetuates colonialism, but they're not the only culprits. It's time to confront the collective amnesia around Matoaka's story and reclaim her true legacy as a diplomat, peacemaker, and survivor.

A Wall Street Journal poll highlights a crucial shift in how Americans understand their history. It challenges the mainstream history establishment to rethink its assumptions and underscores the vital role of public history in fostering informed and critical engagement with the past.

Public history has evolved into a spectrum, a landscape with different approaches, each with its own strengths, weaknesses, and potential impact.

Nuance has become a tool to soften harsh truths and elevate exceptions over systemic realities.

At its core, public history is about connecting the past to the world we live in right now.

Bringing the (Now) Current State of Public History into Focus.