Organization of American Historians

Organization of American Historians is the largest professional organization in the United States dedicated to the study and promotion of American history, with roots dating back to the American Historical Association and the Mississippi Valley Historical Association. Founded in 1907 as the Mississippi Valley Historical Association, the organization changed its name to the Organization of American Historians in 1965 to reflect its expanded scope and focus on United States history. The organization has been led by prominent historians such as Arthur Schlesinger Jr., Doris Kearns Goodwin, and Nell Irvin Painter, and has been influenced by the work of C. Vann Woodward, David Herbert Donald, and John Hope Franklin. The organization's activities are closely tied to those of other historical organizations, including the American Historical Association, the National Council on Public History, and the Society for Historians of American Foreign Relations.

● History

The Organization of American Historians has a rich and complex history, with roots in the Mississippi Valley Historical Association, which was founded in 1907 by a group of historians including Frederick Jackson Turner and Woodrow Wilson. The organization's early years were marked by a focus on the history of the Mississippi River Valley and the American West, with notable contributions from historians such as Walter Prescott Webb and Herbert Eugene Bolton. As the organization grew and expanded its scope, it began to incorporate new fields of study, including African American history, women's history, and environmental history, with influential work from scholars such as W.E.B. Du Bois, Eleanor Flexner, and William Cronon. The organization's history is closely tied to that of other historical organizations, including the American Historical Association, the Southern Historical Association, and the Western History Association.

● Mission_and_Objectives

The Organization of American Historians is dedicated to promoting the study and teaching of American history, with a focus on United States history from the Colonial era to the present. The organization's mission is to support and encourage historians, teachers, and students of American history, and to promote a broader understanding of the American past and its relevance to contemporary issues and debates, such as those addressed by the National Endowment for the Humanities and the American Council of Learned Societies. The organization's objectives include promoting excellence in historical research and teaching, fostering a community of historians and scholars, and advocating for the importance of history education in schools and universities, as emphasized by educators such as Diane Ravitch and Linda Darling-Hammond. The organization's work is closely tied to that of other organizations, including the National Council for the Social Studies, the American Federation of Teachers, and the National Education Association.

● Membership_and_Participation

The Organization of American Historians has a diverse membership of over 7,000 historians, teachers, and students, including prominent scholars such as Eric Foner, Natalie Zemon Davis, and Gordon Wood. Members come from a wide range of backgrounds and institutions, including universities, colleges, and high schools, as well as museums, archives, and historical societies, such as the Smithsonian Institution and the Library of Congress. The organization offers a range of benefits and opportunities for members, including access to The Journal of American History, discounts on annual meeting registration, and eligibility for awards and prizes, such as the Bancroft Prize and the Pulitzer Prize. Members can also participate in the organization's various committees and task forces, which focus on issues such as diversity and inclusion, teaching and learning, and public history, and are influenced by the work of organizations such as the National Museum of African American History and Culture and the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum.

● Publications_and_Awards

The Organization of American Historians publishes a range of materials, including The Journal of American History, which is one of the leading scholarly journals in the field of American history. The organization also publishes a newsletter, OAH Newsletter, and a magazine, OAH Magazine of History, which provides articles and resources for teachers and students. In addition, the organization offers a range of awards and prizes to recognize excellence in historical research, teaching, and writing, including the Frederick Jackson Turner Award and the Merle Curti Award, which are named after prominent historians such as Frederick Jackson Turner and Merle Curti. The organization's publications and awards are closely tied to those of other historical organizations, including the American Historical Association, the Southern Historical Association, and the Western History Association.

● Annual_Meeting

The Organization of American Historians holds an annual meeting each spring, which brings together historians, teachers, and students from around the world to share research, discuss new developments in the field, and network with colleagues. The meeting features a range of panels and sessions, including plenary sessions, workshops, and poster sessions, and offers opportunities for attendees to engage with leading scholars and practitioners in the field, such as David McCullough and Doris Kearns Goodwin. The meeting is also a key venue for the organization's awards and prizes, which are presented to recognize excellence in historical research, teaching, and writing. The organization's annual meeting is closely tied to those of other historical organizations, including the American Historical Association and the National Council on Public History.

● Governance_and_Leadership

The Organization of American Historians is governed by a board of directors, which is composed of prominent historians and scholars, including presidents of the organization such as Nell Irvin Painter and Gary Gerstle. The board is responsible for setting the organization's strategic direction, overseeing its finances and operations, and ensuring that the organization is fulfilling its mission and objectives. The organization is also led by an executive director, who is responsible for the day-to-day management of the organization and its staff, and works closely with other historical organizations, including the American Historical Association and the National Council on Public History. The organization's governance and leadership are influenced by the work of other organizations, including the National Endowment for the Humanities and the American Council of Learned Societies.