We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Elizabeth Reese. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Elizabeth below.
Alright, Elizabeth thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you tell us about a time that your work has been misunderstood? Why do you think it happened and did any interesting insights emerge from the experience?
I think the work of historians is often misunderstood, partially due to the fact that the majority of the research process is solitary. A large part of my work as a public historian involves breaking down these barriers and showing just how historians work and share that work with others. Most people do not know how to read a letter or analyze a painting and think that historians are “gatekeeping” information. I think now more than ever it is vitally important to bring those walls down and let the public in.
I think there is an assumption that historians know everything; I can confirm that is not the case! There is a strength in admitting you don’t know something, and not knowing is always an opportunity to learn. At the same time, our current society gives people very few accessible spaces and opportunities to learn with others once you graduate from high school.
I see this on museum tours often; it is often the children, not the adults, who are asking the questions. Adults tend to shy away from curiosity as it is often confused with lack of knowledge. Most people do not want to look stupid in front of other people. I’ve found that learning to meet people where they are to uplift them instead of lecturing them is an effective way of getting them connected with the topic while learning. I spend a lot of time in archives and primary source materials. When I mention to a non-industry friend about researching at the Library of Congress, I’m often met with amazement. Many of these institutions are public and intended for anyone to use and research, but most people do not know how to research. As a public historian, I consider it my duty to use my field as a way of making history, research, and learning accessible to everyone, regardless of age, background, or demographic.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
My name is Elizabeth Reese and I am a public historian. My work involves researching the past and educating the public through museum visits, tours, exhibits, speaking events, and books.
I grew up reading the American Girl book series, which had a huge impact on both my love of history and how I approach my work as an adult. My favorite American Girl was Felicity, who grew up during the American Revolution. Although we lived in different time periods, as a child I felt like she was a friend and I loved spending time with her through books. I was very fortunate to spend a lot of my childhood visiting Colonial Williamsburg, Felicity’s hometown, where I was fully immersed in the past and hungry to learn more.
Today, no two days of work are the same. Sometimes I am developing a tour for school groups visting a 200-year-old house museum, sometimes I am researching an upcoming exhibit or lecture for a client, and sometimes I’m combing through centuries-old letters for some juicy gossip for my upcoming book. But above it all, I am driven by the fact that I firmly believe a better future can be found when we look to the past.
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
My work is completely driven by grief. Grief as it relates to the loss of people, home, place, identity, or even the life you thought you’d have. There is no person on this planet, no person in existence or who has ever existed, who has not been touched by grief. Yet, when we study the past, it is often through the memorization of names and dates. Finding human connection, even across centuries, reminds us that although our world may look different, we are all connected.
Sometimes people say it must be depressing to spend so much time with grief, but I find it inspiring. Grief has always existed and yet, people persevere. I do not view grief and joy as opposites, but compatriots; you cannot have one without the other.
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
Your peers are not competition.
I first found the field of public history through my work in the theater industry. For years I felt like I had so much more to prove and it wasn’t until I got older than I realized that my background was a strength, not something I needed to overcompensate for. I look back and I realize I spent a lot of years wearing a costume of sorts instead of being my authentic self. There is enough room for everyone at the table. Two people looking at the same document will bring different insight because they each have different experiences and perspectives.
I would not be where I am today without my colleagues, peers, advisors, and mentors. Individual success is always, always a group effort.
Today, I try to return the favor and mentor younger public historians just out of school or with “non-traditional” backgrounds. The sooner we can help each other, the more impactful our work will be!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.elizabethmreese.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elizamreese
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizamreese/
Image Credits
Lisa Scontras, Elizabeth Reese, C-SPAN