We Want More History Webinar

Description

• Hear from Rep. Sharice Davids (KS-03), one of the first two Native American women elected to Congress, as she discusses the newly introduced Truth in National Parks Act. This bill, co-sponsored with Rep. Dan Goldman (NY-10), seeks to ensure National Park Service sites provide historically and culturally accurate interpretation, protect Native American history and culture, and preserve the integrity of public history nationwide.
• Hear from Avenging the Ancestors Coalition about their efforts to defend the President's House Site at Independence National Historical Park, which commemorates the lives of nine people enslaved by George Washington. The site has become a focal point and at times, the epicenter of the fight against historical erasure at National Park Service sites. It exemplifies the broader struggle highlighted in America 250 and similar national conversations: whose history is preserved, and who decides what is remembered?
• Hear from Save Our Signs, a volunteer initiative building a public archive of photos documenting signage and exhibits at National Park Service sites. This grassroots project arose out of concern over the removal or alteration of interpretive signage. By crowdsourcing and sharing these images, Save Our Signs preserves stories told through park signage, keeping local and national histories accessible to the public, researchers, and future generations. The project demonstrates how volunteers and collective action safeguard public history.
• Learn about the Sierra Club’s work on this issue and the Truth Belongs in Our Parks toolkit and listserv, which aim to bridge gaps among organizations focused on the humanities, public lands, outdoor access, environmental justice, and conservation. Participants will also discover ways to connect, share information, and strengthen collaboration across the network.
• Find out how to participate in We Want More History, a new national initiative launching with this webinar. From September 24–26, coordinated programming across parks, public lands, libraries, museums, historic sites, and community spaces will expand public history, storytelling, interpretation, and civic engagement. Instead of only reacting to threats, this effort asks: What would it look like to invest in more history, more stories, and more opportunities for people to connect with the places and histories that shape our communities?

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