By Seth C. Bruggeman Born in the U.S.A.: Birth, Commemoration, and American Public Memory (Public History in Historical P [Paperback]

by Seth C. Bruggeman

Scores of birthplace monuments and historic childhood homes dot the American landscape. These special places, many dating to the early years of the last century, have enshrined nativity alongside patriotism and valor among the key pillars of the nation’s popular historical imagination. The essays in this volume suggest that the way Americans have celebrated famous births reflects evolving expectations of citizenship as well as a willingness to edit the past when those hopes go unfulfilled. The contributors also demonstrate that the reinvention of origin myths at birthplace monuments still factors in American political culture and the search for meaning in an ever-shifting global order. Beyond asking why it is that Americans care about birthplaces and how they choose which ones to commemorate, Born in the U.S.A. offers insights from historians, curators, interpretive specialists, and others whose experience speaks directly to the challenges of managing historical sites. Each essay points to new ways of telling old stories at these mainstays of American memory. The case of the modern house museum receives special attention in a provocative concluding essay by Patricia West. In addition to West and the editor, contributors include Christine Arato, Dan Currie, Keith A. Erekson, David Glassberg, Anna Thompson Hajdik, Zachary J. Lechner, Paul Lewis, Hilary Iris Lowe, Cynthia Miller, Laura Lawfer Orr, Robert Paynter, Angela Phelps, and Paul Reber.

Genres: History

Paperback

First published July 31, 2012

Reviews

[Ella · Rating 4 out of 5]

My favorite chapter was chapter 9: Paulsdale where we looked at Alice Paul's birthplace for a new way to use and interpret house museums. At Paulsdale, interpreters eschew the customary house museum in favor of a dynamic learning space that encourages young people, often from disadvantaged communities, to emulate Paul’s leadership qualities. Dubois's site was also of interest as it truly showed the Impact that local support or opposition could have on a site.

[Megan Mcgee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good analysis of why we choose to commemorate birth places and the meanings of place and memory.

[William]

Interesting