Digital History Examples

The following are examples of three digital histories. The first is based out of the University of California, while the other two are projects of the National Smithsonian and Library of Congress respectively.

http://www.calisphere.universityofcalifornia.edu/jarda/

The Japanese American Relocation Archives is a great collection of primary source materials that includes photographs, personal letters, administrative documents and newsletters all related to the Japanese American internment camps. This website is very engaging. It is clear through the lesson plans provided that the curators of this site seek an audience that includes more than scholars in the field, but elementary and secondary school teachers and students as well.

http://americanhistory.si.edu/onthemove/

This digital history explores the role of transportation in American history. It seems to be very effective for scholarship in that it places each visual item in a historical context and then directs you to other related materials and sources. It makes good use of photographs and is visually engaging. The online exhibit is takes an authoritative stance in that each visual is supplemented by text that provides interpretation of the significant in history. The Smithsonian instiution is a highly valued authority on national history.

http://www.loc.gov/folklife/roots/

The American Folklife Center’s online collection Local Legacies: Community Roots is a combination of audio and visual materials that document local community life in all fifty states. The site is searchable by state then by local events/traditions/celebrations within that state. It is not visually pleasing, but the array of information is valuable.