As readers of this blog already know, my third book is set to be released in November. Published by Rowman & Littlefield, with the support of AASLH, the book is part of the new Interpreting History series, which looks at historical events and how Museums and Historical Societies have and can discuss them. Back in the summer of 2012 I was contacted about the possibility of writing the book on Prohibition, an opportunity that I accepted. Getting to return to the world of wets and drys was a fun intellectual experience, and getting to investigate how institutions (both large and small) have attempted to discuss and convey "the noble experiment" to visitors was a good deal of fun as well.
I was pleased to discover earlier today that the back cover review blurb has been uploaded to the book's website. I am equally pleased to share it with you all now:
"Interpreting the Prohibition Era at Museums and Historic Sites
is exactly the kind of book that busy interpreters, curators, and
museum administrators need. Well-researched and lucidly written, it
combines a brief history of prohibition with incisive guidelines for
interpretation. Lantzer offers an informative account of the long war
between “wets” and “drys” in slightly less than fifty pages. His
guidelines demonstrate the enduring relevance of prohibition while
offering suggestions for telling meaningful, engaging stories about it. Interpreting the Prohibition Era
is sure to become a standard resource for public historians and museum
professionals. In fact, by reminding us that prohibition left no part of
the nation untouched, the book shows why its story deserves to be told –
and how sites large and small can incorporate it into their
programming."— Daniel Vivian, Assistant Professor of History and Director of Public History Program, University of Louisville
I am thankful to my editors at Rowman & Littlefield, the members of the AASLH for entrusting the volume to me, and Dr. Vivian for the very kind review. I hope the eventual readers also find it "well-researched and lucidly written" as well.
UPDATE: There is now a second back blurb review up (thank you to Eloise Batic, who was so helpful with the entire project):
"Interpreting the Prohibition Era at Museums and Historic Sites is a must-read for any museum professional seeking
to uncover the Prohibition era in a museum gallery or program setting.
Tapping into public interest by celebrating objects and stories from the
local perspective is a wonderful opportunity for museums, but this book
will help program developers understand the context in which their
story sits. Taking the local story and asking the variety of contextual
questions posed in this book will help museums explore the widest
possible angle of history and spark countless new interests on the part
of visitors."
— Eloise Batic, Director of Exhibitions Research and Development, Indiana Historical Society
Sunday, September 28, 2014
Friday, September 19, 2014
In the District
When I was in middle school, the biggest event of 8th grade was going on the Washington, D.C. trip. For most of my peers, it was probably a big deal to go on a trip without their parents. For me, the excitement came from going to Gettysburg and then getting to see the nation's capitol first hand. For a "history geek" in the making, nothing could be more exciting. There are days when I still am thankful for that trip, for Richard Smith (my middle school history teacher), and that may parents let me go on it!
I have been to D.C. multiple times since then, most only research trips. The last time I left in the middle of a snow storm. But this year I had the opportunity to come out to the District and teach an intensive seminar on D.C. and the Civil War as part of Butler University's Semester in Washington, D.C. program. The students in my seminar are drawn from Butler students who are here, as well as several from our partner school, Centre College in Kentucky. Over the course of the past two days, we have talked a good deal about the war, and today we did some tours that tied some of our discussions together.
Our first stop was the U.S. Capitol. Our tour was facilitated by Indiana Congresswoman Susan Brooks. It was wonderful to get to take my students into the very rooms so much of the history we had discussed. From the dome (which was being worked on during the Civil War)....
....to the Old Supreme Court room, where the Dred Scott decision was rendered by Chief Justice Roger Taney......
....to the Old Senate Chamber, where the Compromise of 1850 was put together, and where Charles Sumner's desk was/is (where he sat when Congressman Preston Brooks nearly killed him by beating the abolitionist with his cane).
After we were done on the Hill, we headed out to Arlington National Cemetery. Here we visited Robert E. Lee's mansion, which holds connections to George Washington and to the Civil War (as it was occupied by Union forces early on in the war, which led to the plantation grounds becoming a cemetery).
But for me, one of the highlights (beyond getting to spend time with some really great students) was finding the grave of Marion Anderson, Butler's Civil War Medal of Honor Winner.
I have really enjoyed the opportunity to teach this course, and to do "history on the ground." It is something I would do again, and that I would encourage others in my profession to do as well.
I have been to D.C. multiple times since then, most only research trips. The last time I left in the middle of a snow storm. But this year I had the opportunity to come out to the District and teach an intensive seminar on D.C. and the Civil War as part of Butler University's Semester in Washington, D.C. program. The students in my seminar are drawn from Butler students who are here, as well as several from our partner school, Centre College in Kentucky. Over the course of the past two days, we have talked a good deal about the war, and today we did some tours that tied some of our discussions together.
Our first stop was the U.S. Capitol. Our tour was facilitated by Indiana Congresswoman Susan Brooks. It was wonderful to get to take my students into the very rooms so much of the history we had discussed. From the dome (which was being worked on during the Civil War)....
....to the Old Supreme Court room, where the Dred Scott decision was rendered by Chief Justice Roger Taney......
....to the Old Senate Chamber, where the Compromise of 1850 was put together, and where Charles Sumner's desk was/is (where he sat when Congressman Preston Brooks nearly killed him by beating the abolitionist with his cane).
After we were done on the Hill, we headed out to Arlington National Cemetery. Here we visited Robert E. Lee's mansion, which holds connections to George Washington and to the Civil War (as it was occupied by Union forces early on in the war, which led to the plantation grounds becoming a cemetery).
But for me, one of the highlights (beyond getting to spend time with some really great students) was finding the grave of Marion Anderson, Butler's Civil War Medal of Honor Winner.
I have really enjoyed the opportunity to teach this course, and to do "history on the ground." It is something I would do again, and that I would encourage others in my profession to do as well.
Saturday, September 6, 2014
Listen to the Radio
I had the great pleasure, for the second time, to be a guest on Hoosier History Live today. The only radio program in the nation dedicated to state history that takes calls from listeners. Carried on WICR 88.7 (on the campus of the University of Indianapolis) the program tackles a new topic every week.
The first time I was on the show, the topic was interesting facts about Indiana's history. My contribution was to discuss some of the communities that disappeared (chief cause, the creation of reservoirs), the final resting place of Uncle Tom (yes, the Uncle Tom), the "anti-Dillinger" police post in Goshen (always a favorite), and the origins of the name "Wakarusa" (well, maybe!).
But today's show focused on Prohibition. As I often tell students, it is a topic that is near and dear to my professional heart. So, I got to talk a bit about my first book, and Book 3 as well (as the State Museum is about to host the traveling exhibit from the National Constitution Center). That I also got to see an old graduate school friend (who now works at the Indiana State Museum) was just icing on the proverbial cake.
So, thank you Nelson and Molly, for putting this show on each and every week. Next week's show, in which the guest is my dissertation adviser, Prof. James Madison, who is going to talk about his new book, Hoosiers, is sure to be a treat for listeners!
The first time I was on the show, the topic was interesting facts about Indiana's history. My contribution was to discuss some of the communities that disappeared (chief cause, the creation of reservoirs), the final resting place of Uncle Tom (yes, the Uncle Tom), the "anti-Dillinger" police post in Goshen (always a favorite), and the origins of the name "Wakarusa" (well, maybe!).
But today's show focused on Prohibition. As I often tell students, it is a topic that is near and dear to my professional heart. So, I got to talk a bit about my first book, and Book 3 as well (as the State Museum is about to host the traveling exhibit from the National Constitution Center). That I also got to see an old graduate school friend (who now works at the Indiana State Museum) was just icing on the proverbial cake.
So, thank you Nelson and Molly, for putting this show on each and every week. Next week's show, in which the guest is my dissertation adviser, Prof. James Madison, who is going to talk about his new book, Hoosiers, is sure to be a treat for listeners!
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