Public History at Wilkes University

06/23/2022

05/01/2021

10/29/2020

Wilkes students have been living through a semester like no other this fall. Students in HST 211: Introduction to Public History are collecting materials to create an archive of individual and shared experiences here at Wilkes in 2020. Materials will be stored in the University archives in the Farley Library.

Would you be willing to contribute to this archive by answering a few questions? If so, click on the appropriate link:

Survey for first-year and transfer students: https://forms.gle/Lt1pyAorJdAzCksy8

Survey for returning Wilkes students: https://forms.gle/v11ZsyCsLtcqsCHD6

What does "Wilkes in 2020" look like? Submit a picture here: https://forms.gle/H3SH6igBB7YJiWpm9

If you have any questions about the “Wilkes in 2020” project or the collection of materials for the archive, you can contact Dr. Amy Sopcak-Joseph at amy.sopcakjoseph [at] wilkes.edu.

Thanks for considering participating in the “Wilkes in 2020” project!

09/04/2020

Check out this very cool way that our neighbor, the Luzerne County Historical Society, is letting people bring in a piece of history into their homes!

WILKES-BARRE — The Luzerne County Historical Society found themselves with a hit on their hands this week when they announced the sale of posters that are replicas of a sign dating back to the early…

02/18/2020

Please join us today for our Transcribe-a-thon from 11-1pm in Breiseth 108!

08/15/2018

Cross-listing this with History at Wilkes page! A fine example of public history at work.

Dr. Wenger, who just finished a term on the Historic Marker Panel of Pennsylvania Historic & Museum Commission, attended the dedication of the historic marker for Sunset Park recently. The Park was well known for its blue grass and country music concerts and in its heyday drew such famous musicians as Jerry Garcia, Johnny Cash, Dolly Parton and Hank Williams--among many others. Also attending was Dr. William Lewis (front row right), WU alumnus and PHMC Commissioner. http://www.bluegrasswest.com/ideas/sunsetpark.htm

02/27/2018

Curious how those blue and gold PHMC historic site markers that we see along the highways and city streets are chosen? This month Dr. Diane Wenger completed her second (and last year) on the PHMC Marker Review Board--Dr John Hepp has also served on a previous board; they agree it was a fantastic experience. To learn more about how to nominate historic sites check this out:

The Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission administers a program of historical markers to capture the memory of people, places, events, and innovations that have affected the lives of Pennsylvanians over the centuries since William Penn founded his Commonwealth. More than 2,000 cast aluminum....

02/11/2018

Check out Wilkes' Public History Profile in the National Council on Public History website!

Established in 2012, the Public History Concentration at Wilkes University offers a B.A. in History with a concentration in public history. Located along the Susquehanna River in the heart of Wilkes-Barre’s picturesque historic district and within a block of the Luzerne County Historical Society a...

01/01/2018

Happy New Year!
What food are you eating today for good luck? Pork and Saurkraut? Soba Noodles? Black-Eyed Peas? Lentils?

Find out why these five delicious foods — like soba noodles and black-eyed peas — are known to bring good luck for the new year.

12/29/2017

The magnolia tree planted by Andrew Jackson at the White House nearly 200 years ago is coming down....

Despite multiple attempts to save it, the tree is in bad shape