Visiting the "Authentic" Past: How Do People Engage With Historic Sites and/or Eyewitness Accounts?

• In Event: 45.089 - Visualizations, Eyewitnesses, and History Education

Abstract

Historic sites and oral history accounts are complex sources of the past. They display historical narratives that engage visitors and learners with history. However, there is significant, reflexive trust put in these relics of the past. This study seeks to develop a conceptual model to describe the complex experience of encountering these sources. Therefore we draw on a wide range of German- and English-speaking literature, an expert workshop, and student-interviews to develop this model. It grasps the complex experiences by considering the interplay between cognitive, emotional and physical reactions towards the historic source. This study offers a deeper understanding of how people work with complex sources and points out to further understand how to critically engage learners with the past.

Authors

• Allison Weller, Teachers College, Columbia University

• Lisa Henke, University of Tuebingen

• Christine Baron, Teachers College, Columbia University