H. Duane Hampton Public History Program
The professional study of history has a robust life outside of the ivory tower. The H. Duane Hampton Public History Program prepares Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ to work in the vibrant, growing field of public history, which fundamentally seeks to make the past relevant and accessible to the wider public.
Public history is a dynamic field with few boundaries. It involves a wide range of pursuits in varied settings and through diverse mediums---historical museums and exhibitions; historical preservation and commemorative sites; interpretive planning and public storytelling; archives and special collections management; public policy analysis, records management, and litigation support; oral history, public memory, and educational outreach; websites and podcasting; digital history and documentary film production; local, regional, and tribal heritage associations.
Our program prepares Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ to make history public in these arenas and beyond. Through dynamic and experiential courses, faculty immerse Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ in the theory, politics, and practice of public history. Internships at local, regional, and national public history settings provide hands-on preparation for future careers in the field. In-class and capstone projects challenge our Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ to make original contributions to public history while engaging local, regional, national, and potentially global publics.
Undergraduates completing this program earn an undergraduate Certificate in Public History. Graduate Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ completing this program earn a graduate-level Certificate in Public History.
Learn More
Want to know more about what public history is, what our public history Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ do, and what the possibilities are for working in public history?
Visit the UMontana Public History Program's "" website! There you can learn about a variety of projects and internships our Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ have done, including:
- Digitial exhibits and women's suffrage, environmental activism, and climate change policy
- Oral histories on COVID-19, alcohol, and hunting
- Documentaries on the 1918 influenza pandemic and Montana's black history
- Archival projects for wilderness photographs
- Physical exhibits on the history of rock and roll, outdoor gear, and the history of student life at the Ñý¼§Ö±²¥
- And more! Check out the website to see all the projects and the latest news about the program
Contact
For more information, contact , Director of the Public History Program.
Supporting Public History
To support our program, please contribute to the . Thank you for helping us make history public!