Ben Franklin's World

BFW Bonus: We Want More History

Sep 18, 2026
Beth English, executive director of the Organization of American Historians, and Kate Masur, a Northwestern historian of Civil War and Reconstruction, introduce We Want More History weekend. They discuss the movement from monument debates to broader public conversations, spotlight local events in libraries, museums, schools, and parks, and explain how maps, toolkits, and grassroots participation can bring history to life.
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INSIGHT

Making America’s Appetite For History Visible

  • We Want More History makes public engagement visible through coordinated local programs.
  • Organizers want to demonstrate that people actively seek historical knowledge, conversation, and participation—not merely debate monuments or textbooks.
ANECDOTE

The Project That Inspired A National Weekend

  • Kate Masur’s earlier 2020–2021 project redirected monument controversies toward shared conversations about local history.
  • Four historians organized that national day of action to showcase diverse, dynamic stories communities wanted to discuss.
ADVICE

Use The Toolkit To Create A Local Event

  • Find nearby events on wewantmorehistory.org, searching the interactive map by state, town, or ZIP code.
  • If nothing is nearby, use the toolkit or matching system to organize an event with a local venue or speaker.
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