About Joan
Experienced Public Historian
Public history means putting history to work, in a variety of settings. Public historians, myself included, collaborate with our clients and the larger public to produce history, in many different forms, for an engaged audience.
I have written seven book-length histories on individual parks for the National Park Service. Two books are published by university presses, the others are government publications. I also have journal articles and some blog posts.
I have conducted more than 200 oral history interviews in support of these book projects and separately for such organizations as the Town of Chevy Chase, Maryland; Montgomery History; and Action in Montgomery. The interviews are audio-based, transcribed, and available in public archives. Thanks to the pandemic, I have also done Zoom interviews.
I have a PhD in American Studies from the University of Maryland, College Park, and I have worked independently for most of my professional life.
I have spent the past few years reading and leading discussions about racism, antiracism, and white supremacy.
