IU Indianapolis Public History Program

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IU Indianapolis Public History Program

The IU Indianapolis public history program is a 2-year MA program.

23/03/2026

🎓 Student Spotlight: Monica Berg

We’re excited to share that IU Indianapolis Public History master’s student Monica Berg recently presented her research at Loyola University Chicago’s History Graduate Student Association Conference, themed “The Power of Public History: Resistance, Revolution, and Renaissance.”

Monica’s presentation, “Whose Heritage? Investigating Commemorations of the Rutherford Trace,” examined how public commemorations have shaped the story of a 1776 military campaign led by General Griffith Rutherford against Cherokee communities. Her project analyzed historical markers installed in the 1950s and events surrounding the campaign’s 230th anniversary in 2006, and how “commemorations during these periods removed the agency of the Cherokee people and key details about the inherent violence of the campaign.”

We’re proud to see our students engaging in thoughtful, meaningful work and contributing to important conversations about how history is remembered and shared.

👏 Congratulations, Monica!

16/03/2026

📚✨ Student spotlight!

Jacob Sherer, a student in the IUI Public History Program, recently planned and helped bring to life Unveiling a Forgotten Legacy: Black Displacement in Indianapolis during his internship at the Indiana Historical Society. The program explored the forced displacement of Black communities near downtown Indianapolis in the 1960s and highlighted the powerful work of photographer Zola Lamothe, whose project connects past and present through community stories and images.

Events like this show how public historians help uncover overlooked histories, spark meaningful conversations, and connect communities with their shared past.

👏 Congratulations to Jacob on creating an impactful program and contributing to important conversations about Indianapolis history.

09/03/2026

✨📚Last week, IU Indianapolis Public History master’s students met with Claudia Vinci, Exhibit Research & Curator Manager at the Indiana Historical Society. Students toured the Society’s newest exhibition, Hoosier Voices from Vietnam, and discussed the research, collaboration, and interpretive decisions behind its development.

✨Many thanks to Claudia and the Indiana Historical Society for sharing their time and expertise with our students!📚

17/02/2026

✨📂Last week, IU Indy Public History students visited the Indianapolis City-County Archives! 📂✨

Students met with City-County Archivists Jordan Ryan and Deedee Davis to learn about archival and records management and explore ongoing research on the history of Greenlawn Cemetery.

Experiences like this give students the opportunity to see how public history work happens behind the scenes — preserving records, uncovering stories, and connecting communities with their past.

✨Thank you to the Indianapolis City-County Archives for hosting us! We’re especially grateful to IUI Public History graduate Jordan Ryan for the tour, the connections, and for sharing your work with us.

27/01/2026

Spring 2026 is underway! 🌱 Our students are diving into exciting coursework and sharpening their public history skills this semester. Take a look at what they’re learning! 📚✨

20/01/2026

🎉 Congratulations to IU Indianapolis Public History MA student and IHS Exhibits Intern Amanda Von Ruden! 🎉

Amanda has recently created a new exhibition at the Indiana Historical Society, titled "New Harmony: Echoes of Utopia," now on view.

Reflecting on her experience, Amanda shared:

“It was such a cool experience to be hands-on researching and writing an exhibit at the Indiana Historical Society. Being able to take all of my research knowledge from undergrad and apply it to a real-world project was one of the best experiences I could have asked for. The team trusted me from the start and supported me when questions arose. I truly did not feel like ‘just an intern,’ and I was fully a part of the team. This experience will forever help me in my future career as a public historian.”

The exhibition explores the rich history of New Harmony, Indiana, a town on the banks of the Wabash River that was home to two nineteenth-century utopian societies. Founded in 1814 by George Rapp, the Harmonists envisioned a spiritually centered, communal way of life. Later, Robert Owen established a second utopian community grounded in socialism and intellectual pursuits. Although Owen’s experiment ended in 1827, the legacy of both the Harmonists and Owenites continued to shape Indiana’s cultural, intellectual, and political landscape—a story brought to life in this exhibition.

📍 Visit New Harmony: Echoes of Utopia on the fourth floor of the Indiana Historical Society!

22/11/2025

Shoutout to our amazing Public History students! 🌟

IUI Public History Master's students Sarah Wulf and Summer Matthes are working hard alongside public history professionals at the Ruth Lilly Special Collections and Archives.

Check out the newsletter to see their dedication and contributions. Keep shining!

10/10/2025

✨IU Indy Public History students had the amazing opportunity to visit the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum on Tuesday!!

During the visit, students met with the Museum’s Collections Department to learn all things collection management, what it’s like to be at an institution with an active sport, and their experience preparing and displaying historic objects.

Thank-you so much to the incredible professionals for hosting us, sharing your knowledge, and giving us a glimpse into your world! 🤩

06/10/2025

💫 Last week, IU Indy Public History master’s student Sarah Johnson-Taylor presented her research at the 2025 Indiana Academy of Social Sciences Conference at Hanover College!

The presentation, “The Neighborhood Theater: Marion, Indiana and Community Action,” told stories of Marion’s movie scene in the 20th century, and how engagement in the local downtown has inspired economic prosperity and civic engagement.

💫 Join us in congratulating Sarah on her hard work, dedication, and presentation!

03/10/2025

✨ This week, our students took part in the Preserving Historic Places Conference! They connected with preservation professionals, explored best practices, and gained hands-on insights into keeping history alive. 🏛️📚

24/09/2025

Yesterday, IU Indy Public History students set out on the “Cavannah Crawl!”✨

Stops included the Ray Bradbury Center, the Frederick Douglass Papers, and the IU Indianapolis Arts and Humanities Institute.

A huge thank-you to the incredible public history professionals at each site for welcoming us, sharing your expertise, and inspiring the next generation of historians. 🙌

19/09/2025

✨ Last week, our students presented their research at the AASLH conference! ✨ We’re so proud of their hard work and the incredible research projects they shared with public history professionals from across the country. 👏📚

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https://liberalarts.indianapolis.iu.edu/departments/history/current-students/master-of-arts-in-public-history/

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