National Council on Public History - NCPH

10/19/2026

Exciting news! The hotel room block, registration rates, and deadlines for NCPH 2027 next April 21-24 in St. Louis are now available. Get a head start on your 2027 budgeting and travel plans at: https://ncph.org/conference/ncph-2027/registration/. Travel info and status updates on the block at the Hyatt Regency at the Arch will be posted at: https://ncph.org/conference/ncph-2027/hotel-and-travel-information/.

2027

10/16/2026

New on History@Work. “State social studies standards across the country include state history and require students to understand the local impacts of World War II, yet there has been a gap in accessible resources tied to local themes.” Educator Sarah Nestor Lane joins us to introduce freely accessible lesson plans that seek to fill that gap. “Creating these educational resources is a step toward the long game: helping today’s students become tomorrow’s historians and stewards of local history.” Read it: https://ncph.org/history-at-work/american-world-war-ii-heritage-cities/

When I visited Waterloo, Iowa’s designated American World War II Heritage City, a local leader who supported the nomination pulled out a binder of things they hoped to accomplish: exhibits, walking tours, signage, and “Lesson plans for local schools.” There was relief and excitement when I sai...

10/15/2026

Have you read a new book this year that made you think “Wow, this deserves an award!”? Good news–you can nominate it for the NCPH Book Award by November 1, 2026: https://ncph.org/about/awards/book-award/

We’re seeking nominations for the best book in public history published between 2025-2026. The award consists of a $1,000 cash prize and a certificate, both presented at the NCPH Annual Meeting in St. Louis, Missouri this April.

Whether about or growing out of public history, successful contenders will clearly display the public aspects of their conception, development, and ex*****on, and how they illuminate issues and concerns significant to audiences beyond the academy. Entries may be monographs, edited collections of articles or essays, or any other published work of comparable scope. Singly and jointly authored/edited works are welcome, as are international topics.

10/14/2026

If you’re hoping to present at NCPH 2027, you can still submit a poster proposal by the October 18, 2026 deadline!

The poster session will be held at our conference hotel on April 22, 2027, in St. Louis, Missouri. During the poster session, presenters share their projects with conference goers in one-on-one discussions. It can be especially useful for works-in-progress and for projects in which visual or material evidence is a central component.

Find the submission instructions at: https://ncph.org/news/ncph-2027-call-for-posters-now-open/.

10/13/2026

Proposals for a special issue of The Public Historian are due November 1, 2026.

Women are the majority of public historians. What now? This special issue, the first in the journal’s run, will center on women’s public history and women in public history.

Articles should fall into one of three thematic areas: the professional, the political, and the historical. Submissions can address any time period, location, or type of public history work. Authors can showcase a past project or current projects, offer reports from the field, or imagine new modes of practice, concepts, or genealogies.

Find the full details and instructions for submission at: https://ncph.org/news/the-public-historian-call-for-papers/.

10/12/2026

Outstanding Public History Project Award submissions are due November 1, 2026. Let’s lift up history practitioners doing amazing work! If you know of a public history project that contributed to a broader public reflection and appreciation of the past or that serves as a model of professional public history practice, submit it for consideration.

Two $750 awards are available, one for a Large Institution and one for a Small Institution, and will be given out at NCPH 2027 in St. Louis, Missouri this April. Review details and submit at: https://ncph.org/about/awards/ph-project-award/

10/09/2026

New on History@Work. Museum educator Kevin Lukacs discusses why “3D technology could be the next major frontier for education initiatives.” He provides examples of how the technology can be used “intentionally and meaningfully, fulfilling a purpose that cannot be met by the object alone.” Read it: https://ncph.org/history-at-work/3d-prints-and-ar-models-for-museum-education/

Three-dimensional (3D) scanning and printing technologies are becoming more accessible than ever.

10/08/2026

Mark your calendars! The ever popular Grumpy Hour is back on Tuesday, November 10, from 7:00-8:00 pm Eastern. Join fellow public historians for a virtual night of connection and support. Grumpy Hours (in contrast to “happy hours”) give space for commiseration, community, and much-needed venting for those working in public history or looking to find a career in the field.

This informal social event is free to all. Register: https://community.ncph.org/event/GrumpyNovember

10/07/2026

The NCPH Advocacy Committee has issued an Advocacy Alert regarding the National Archives and Records Administration’s plans to close two regional archives and research centers: the National Archives at San Francisco (in San Bruno, CA) and the National Archives at Chicago. These closures endanger public access to significant archival materials that often reflect unique aspects of regional history. The plans also raise alarming questions about the future of the permanent collections housed at each facility. The first record groups at the Chicago facility will close to access beginning October 13, 2026.

So, what can we do? Support locally-led advocacy efforts in both Chicago and San Francisco. Contact NARA leadership to share why these facilities are important to you and urge reconsideration of the decision to close them. Reach out to your US Representative and Senators to ask them to support both the efforts of Reps. Chuy Garcia and Kevin Mullins and a robust system of regional archives and research centers. Schedule Research at NARA San Bruno or NARA Chicago Locations. Sign petitions. More information, resources, and direct links to take some or all of these actions can be found at:https://ncph.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/10.5.2026-NCPH-Call-to-Action-NARA-Closures.pdf

10/06/2026

If you’re thinking about going to graduate school for public history, you need to check out this free resource: https://ncph.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/NCPH-Graduate-Student-Handbook-2025.pdf.

The Graduate Student Handbook can help you break down a big decision into manageable steps! The first section focuses on identifying and choosing a public history grad program that fits your interests, career goals, and budget.

If you are a professor or advisor, we encourage you to share this far and wide with undergraduate and grad students alike!