This summer, the Government of Canada helped to promote visits to museums through the Canada Strong pass. While initially focused on seven of the country’s nine national museums, other provinces and territories also opted to offer reduced and free admission. Ultimately, 87 museums across the country were part of the initiative, and early data indicates that it helped to boost attendanc. While the removal of admission fees increases accessibility, and – in turn – public enjoyment and appreciation of museums, the reality is that museums across the country are suffering from a lack of resources. To be effective stewards of the cultural heritage that they care for, museums need adequate financial support.
Ten years ago, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) issued its final report on the history of residential schools in Canada. Mandated to “inform all Canadians about what happened in residential schools”, the “TRC documented the truth of Survivors, their families, communities and anyone personally affected by the residential school experience.” It found that residential schools were part of a… Read more »
With my work now, I try to share engaging and unexpected stories — history that will catch people’s attention — and then connect those stories to their broader historical context. The story of the Toronto Circus Riot for instance — sparked by a brawl between clowns and firefighters at a downtown brothel — has a lot to teach us about the influence of the Orange Order and systems of power in Victorian Toronto. My hope is that if I can catch someone’s attention, provide them with some of that broader context, and point them toward the work of historians who’ve explored that context more deeply, that person might be curious enough to want to carry on learning more.
Sara Wilmshurst This post continues my conversation with Corey Slumkoski (Acadiensis Blog), Tom Peace (Active History), Samia Dumais (Histoire Engagée), and Jessica DeWitt (NiCHE’s The Otter – La Loutre). For more, see our series page of Essays on the Future of Knowledge Mobilization and Public History Online. SW: Which challenges does your project face today? TP (AH): Relevance. Active History… Read more »
Sara Wilmshurst After the Future of Knowledge Mobilization and Public History Online workshop in August 2024, I wanted to hear more about each project’s history, structure, and plans for the future. Workshop participants Corey Slumkoski (Acadiensis Blog), Tom Peace (Active History), Samia Dumais (Histoire Engagée), and Jessica DeWitt (NiCHE’s The Otter – La Loutre) kindly answered my questions. For more,… Read more »
Commercial DNA tests have had many different impacts, from confirming existing research, breaking down brick walls, and uncovering long-hidden family secrets. DNA has become an essential component of genealogical research.
In August 2024 representatives from multiple online history projects, universities, and public history institutions met in London to discuss key topics in online knowledge mobilization. Over the next several months attendees will publish essays reflecting on the topics we discussed. In the meantime, here are some open-access resources that intersect with workshop content.
To the extent that we as historians accept as settled the first order questions about AI and instead opt to talk about nuanced details of implementation, I think we risk a very serious mistake. Here, then, I want to publicly state my view of AI and its use in history, and to do so without any qualification. I hate AI.
Herding dog behaviors originated from the hunting instincts of a wolf pack to chase, surround, and kill their prey. The human shepherd was able to redirect and utilize these instincts for their own survival and profit.
In fairness to LAC, I recognize that their problems are rooted in chronic underfunding. That and a succession of governments measuring their success with inappropriate metrics. While wishing that management had made different choices under the pressure of inadequate financing, I also wish they were not forced to choose between outreach and basic archival services.
