The steep hills and dramatic gorges of Ithaca were the setting for a revolution in American education when, in the 1860s, a self-made man sought "to do the most good . . . to the poor and to posterity." Ezra Cornell's philanthropy, enhanced with funds from the Morrill Land Grant Act and enlarged by the vision of educator Andrew Dickson White, created what has been called the first American university 'a modern, democratic, research-oriented institution open to young men and women of all creeds and races. Reflecting the ideas of its founders, Cornell University has combined the industrial...

In this work readers can discover the role local historians play, find out what the experts see as the values of the local history while exploring their theories, and see how local history has been practised by those who have dedicated their lives to it.

For over thirty years, Carol Kammen's On Doing Local History has been a valuable guide to professional and "amateur" historians alike. First published in 1986, revised in 2003, this book offers not only discussion of practical matters, but also a deeper reflection on local, public history, what it means, and why it is done. It is used in classrooms and found on the shelves of local historians across the U.S. The third edition features: -Updates to chapters that focus on the current concerns and situation of local historians -A new chapter on how the field of history cooperates with other arts...

Zen and the Art of Local History is an engaging, interactive conversation that conveys the exciting nature of local history. Divided into six major themes the book covers the scope and breadth of local history: Being a Local Historian Topics and Sources Staying Relevant Getting it Right Writing History History Organizations Each chapter features one of Carol Kammen s memorable editorials from History News. Her editorial is a call. Each is followed by a response from one of more than five dozen prominent players in state and local history. These Respondents include local and public historians,...

Zen and the Art of Local History is an engaging, interactive conversation that conveys the exciting nature of local history. Divided into six major themes the book covers the scope and breadth of local history: Being a Local Historian Topics and Sources Staying Relevant Getting it Right Writing History History Organizations Each chapter features one of Carol Kammen s memorable editorials from History News. Her editorial is a call. Each is followed by a response from one of more than five dozen prominent players in state and local history. These Respondents include local and public historians,...