why we're creating the history list
DESCRIPTION
The History List (www.TheHistoryList.com) is used by history-related groups and organizations to publicize their events, sites, and exhibits to people in their community, state, and region, and to people who are planning a trip from another region. There is no cost to list. Free tools make it easy to share a constantly-updated list of events with partners, members, fans, and the media. For state and national organizations, The History List's tools provide an easy way to power a calendar with activities entered by participating organizations and displayed immediately on one searchable, sortable calendar, as well as on calendars throughout their network.TRANSCRIPT
Why we’re creating The History List
The History List
Curated and focused on historyHigh quality environment
OnlineWhere everyone goes first—for local activities and
trip planningVirtually the only resource for a younger demographic—your future members, donors, volunteers
Overarching goal
Create broader, deeper awareness of history.
So far . . .
As a society, what we’ve been doing isn’t enough, doesn’t seem to be working, or both.
Reason #1
Coming face to face with history is compelling, eye-opening, moving, rewarding, fascinating.
Across time and place
Our art helps tell our story
Their voyage of discovery . . .
. . . and ours.
Exploring our communitiesCliff Palace at Mesa Verde in Colorado
Inside our homes . . .
. . . and outside.
Hearing different viewpointsA Wampanoag historic interpreter at Plimoth Plantation in Massachusetts.
How we lived . . .
. . . played
. . . gossiped
. . . shopped
. . . and traveled.
Aboard an historic ship . . .
. . . seeing what makes her go.
Seeing how we communicated across time and distance Register Cliff on the Oregon Trail in Wyoming.
Hearing personal accounts face to face
Standing on the shore where history was made Marconi Beach on Cape Cod, site of the first transatlantic wireless broadcast in the U.S.
Or in his studio . . .
. . . learning how and why he created his art.
Seeing firsthandthe turning points
in the formationof a new nation
A nation honors its fallen.
A community preserves its past.
Reason #2
It helps us connect across generations.
Preserving our past and informing our future.
Reason #3
What we’ve been doing doesn’t seem to be working.
Jay Leno “Jaywalking” on The Tonight Show: “History is a Mystery”
Who said, “The British are coming! The British are coming!”
Paul . . . Paul Bunyon?
The Regulars are coming out!
Image: Office for Emergency Management, Office of War Information, Overseas Operations Branch, New York Office, News and Features Bureau, Picture Division. (1942 – 1945). Quote: Revere, Paul (1961). Paul Revere's Three Accounts of His Famous Ride. Introduction by Edmund Morgan. Boston: Massachusetts Historical Society.
What actually happened is so much more interesting
From the collection of the Massachusetts Historical Society. L to R: Paul Revere's deposition, draft, circa 1775; Paul Revere's deposition, fair copy, circa 1775; Letter from Paul Revere to Jeremy Belknap, circa 1798
The marker at the spot where Revere, Dawes, and Prescott were stopped. From www.ilovenationalparks.org.
In Revere’s own words:
I told him I knew better, I knew what they were after;that I had alarmed the country all the way up, that their Boats, were catch'd a ground, and I should have 500 men their soon; one of them said they had 1500 coming; he seemed supprised and rode off, into the road, and informed them who took me, they came down immeaditly on a full gallop, one of them (whom I since learned was Major Mitchel of the 5th Regiment Clap'd his Pistol to my head, and said he was going to ask me some questions, if I did not tell the truth, he would blow my brains out.I told him I esteemed my self a Man of truth, that he had stopped me on the high way, & made me a prisoner, I knew not by what right; I would tell him the truth; I was not afraid . . .
Paul Revere describing what happened after he was stopped by soldiers as he rode west from Boston to alert others.From Paul Revere's deposition, fair copy, circa 1775, in the collection of the Massachusetts Historical Society.
Reason #4
Existing means for getting the word out aren’t adequate.
This announcement of an event in Boston went to 142 recipients How many of these e-mail addresses are still active? How many of the recipients forwarded it on to their organization’s members?
The current state of the art at work:
142 e-mail recipients for a notice of an event in Boston tied to the Civil War.
Are there really 1,796 history events in the area? How do I sort through them?
Ad for shoes and handbags?
Tickets to events that have nothing to do with my search?
Listings for local McDonald’s restaurants in a search for “history?”
Existing sites don’t work well for many of our events. An ad for a
national chain
Expensive, difficult to stand out in city travel media.
The History List
A targeted tool for organizations to attract new visitors and members
National in scope No cost to list organization, events, exhibitsEasy cut and paste entryRoom for extensive text, pictures, detailsLink to your site for more informationTags help people find your eventsRatings and review give people confidence
Reason #5
If you’re planning to attend an event, where can you go to find information to make the most of it ?
Where do you turn for answers to questions such as . . .Where’s the best place to stand?When do we need to get there in order to get a good view?
The History List
Easier for individuals and familiesTools to find interesting events anywhere—for a Saturday out or a trip across the countryBy distance to travel, location, event type, organization . . .Find recommended new events, exhibits, organizationsPlan with confidence –pictures, reviews, recommendations Share with others—Site, integrated social sharing
The History List
o Publicizing events and activities, sites and exhibits
o Connecting organizations to share ideas and learn about resources
o Enabling a community of interested individuals
The History List
o No cost to list organizationo No cost to list hours,
exhibits, programs, events
The History List
o Participating organizations include . . .
The Massachusetts Historical SocietyHistoric New EnglandThe Freedom Trail FoundationThe Massachusetts Society of GenealogistsThe Charles River Group of Historical SocietiesThe Blackstone Valley Group of Historical SocietiesThe Bostonian Society and the Old State House
MuseumThe USS Constitution MuseumThe New England Museum Association (NEMA)Old Sturbridge Village
The History List
o Getting startedDownload the one-page guide from
www.TheHistoryList.com/pages/helpLog in with Facebook or request an account
o Enter your informationAny staff member, intern, or volunteer can enter or editEnter your events and activities, including text and
picturesComplete the information about your organization, site,
or museumAdd the Member logo to your site and newsletter
