About Joan

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.