UAHuntsville Students and Alum Sign Book Contract

UAHuntsville public history students Charity Ethridge and Michele Hopkins and UAHuntsville history alum Susanna Leberman have recently signed a book contract with Arcadia Publishing to produce a pictorial history of Huntsville, Alabama. The book will highlight the city’s rich history and allow the authors to use their public history experience in a meaningful manner. Arcadia Publishing, a major producer of local history books throughout the nation, will market the book to the general public and add it to a national database dedicated to promoting the use of local history. Dr. John Kvach will oversee the project as part of an ongoing effort to build the public history program at UAHuntsville, and proceeds from the sale of the book will go towards the public history program. This project also highlights the growing partnership between the University and the Huntsville/Madison County Public Library.

Pictured here is Huntsville's Courthouse Square in 1864.

Graduate Student Alyson Buck Working at the Weeden House

Alyson Buck, a history graduate student at UAHuntsville, has been busy working at the Weeden House, a house museum in the center of Huntsville’s historic downtown district. According to the museum's director and board of directors, Buck’s enthusiasm, dedication, and willingness to jump in and take on new responsibilities have had an important impact on how the museum and its staff interpret the past. Buck hopes to build upon this experience after graduation and find a job in the public history sector. Good luck Alyson!

Congratulations to our Fall 2010 Graduates!

In December, eight students graduated from UAH with BA degrees in history, Kyla Brickhouse, Thomas Coke, Melanie Eckstein, Katie Graham, Michael Henriksen, Joseph "Eddie" Kimbrough, Jonathan Neely, and Amber Willis.

Congratulations to all! Please keep the history department updated on your doings and remember to check out our blog from time to time!



Pictured here are Katie Graham celebrating her degree, Kyla Brickhouse doing the same, and Kyla and Jonathan Neely at the commencement ceremony.

Profile of Graduate Research Assistant Matthew Menarchek

The history department's Graduate Research Assistant for 2010-2011 is Matthew Menarchek. He received his BA in history from the University of Alabama in Huntsville in 2010, and he is currently enrolled in the MA program.

Matthew's primary graduate assistant work is research for a local attorney preparing a federal judicial case involving taxation and public education in Alabama. He is also collaborating with the Huntsville/Madison County Convention and Visitors Bureau to highlight local Civil War tourist attractions.

We are happy to have Matthew in our MA program and as our research assistant!

UAH History Grad Student Alyson Buck Participates in Maple Hill Cemetery Stroll

Alyson Buck, a current UAHuntsville history student, served as a
costumed interpreter at this year's Maple Hill Cemetery Stroll. Alyson
had to find a person buried at the cemetery, conduct research on the
person, find an appropriate costume, and play the person for over three
hours at this year's event. Her excellent work was reflected in the
large crowds that gathered to hear about her character. Alyson hopes to
continue working on her character and will be looking for new public
history opportunities.

Kudos to Student Kayleigh Last for Successfully Adding Local Cemetery to Historical Register

Last semester UAHuntsville public history student, Kayleigh Last, completed a Cemetery survey to nominate a historical cemetery to the Alabama Historical Commission. The graveyard, located in Limestone county, is an African American masonic graveyard that makes a significant cultural contribution to the surrounding community. On September 11th, she got word that the graveyard was officially accepted to the AHC and was only the second graveyard on the register in Limestone County. Kayleigh plans to bring together members of the local community to work to preserve the cemetery. Great job!

Molly Johnson is new head of Women's Studies at UAH

Dr. Molly Johnson, associate professor in the History Department, has been named the new director of the Women’s Studies Program at UAH.  She has taught two history courses cross-listed with Women's Studies and served on its Program Advisory Committee.  Dr. Johnson looks forward to the opportunity to promote the interdisciplinary study of women and gender at UAH, as well as to reach out to the North Alabama community through public programs and events. 

Dr. Johnson plans to strengthen ties between the History Department and Women's Studies.  She is also very excited to work with UAH alum Erin Reid; Erin earned a master’s degree from the History Department and is the invaluable WS Staff Assistant.  Pictured here is Erin on the left, and Molly on the right.