Picture this: You’re piecing together fragments of letters, photographs, and official documents to uncover the untold story of a pivotal historical event. Think about being the person who discovers that a small detail in a century-old diary changes our understanding of a major historical figure.
Historians are professional researchers and analysts who study the past to help us understand the present and inform the future. They examine historical records, artifacts, and other sources to interpret past events, societies, and cultures, providing valuable insights that shape our understanding of human history.
They work across academic institutions, government agencies, museums, and research organizations.
Total Employment: 3,040 (2023)
Common Names for Historians
- County Historian
- County Records Management Officer (County RMO)
- Historian
- Historic Interpreter
- Historic Sites Registrar
- Historical Interpreter
- Research Associate
- Researcher
What Historians Do
Historians research, analyze, and interpret historical records, documents, and artifacts to understand past events, cultures, and societies, helping to provide context for contemporary issues and preserve historical knowledge. Primary responsibilities include:
- Research & Analysis: Conduct comprehensive historical research using primary and secondary sources to uncover and verify historical facts, events, and trends that contribute to our understanding of the past
- Documentation & Writing: Create detailed records, reports, and publications that preserve historical findings and make them accessible to other scholars and the public, ensuring knowledge transfer across generations
- Source Evaluation: Assess the authenticity and significance of historical documents, artifacts, and records to establish credible historical narratives and maintain academic integrity
- Collection Management: Organize and maintain historical materials, including documents, photographs, and artifacts, ensuring proper preservation and accessibility for future research and reference
- Educational Outreach: Develop and deliver presentations, lectures, and educational programs to share historical knowledge with students, professionals, and the public, promoting historical awareness and understanding
- Consultation Services: Provide expert historical insights to organizations, government agencies, and media outlets, helping inform decision-making and public understanding of historical contexts
- Archive Development: Build and maintain comprehensive historical archives by identifying, collecting, and organizing relevant materials that document significant historical events and periods
- Collaborative Research: Work with other historians, archaeologists, and subject matter experts to conduct interdisciplinary research that provides broader historical perspectives and insights
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