Historical Enterprise

I found Townsend's presentation of History as a historical enterprise consisting of multiple "professions" particularly interesting.  I had always thought of history professionals as a blend of academics, archivists, educators and local/state historical societies, and also assumed that these groups worked collaboratively.  This book greatly increased my understanding of the changes from 1880-1940, to include leadership, doctrine, public interest, war, and technology and how they impacted the stratification of the history discipline.  Townsend concludes that this total breakup of the enterprise is irreversible, but given today’s challenges there is a need for increased integration across history professionals.  I don’t know if this is possible.  Looking at the divide between academics and teachers, you can see the expectations levied upon them only widen the divide – academics, to do research and publish; teachers, to demonstrate pedagogical competencies as well as a broader social history knowledge.  While each may be history professionals, there is too much specialization required to encourage integration. 

From a historiography perspective, I liked Townsend’s use of the evolution of the American Historical Association (AHA) as reflective of the larger evolution of history in the United States.  The AHA established methods we take for granted today – use of primary sources, scientific research, quality standards and peer reviews – which suggests not all historical documents meet current standards.  The internal infighting over strategic direction of AHA, tension between academics and public history teachers, and struggles over how best to apply resources was likely playing out between history professionals across the country.  Having this context will help me better assess historical materials.