Historically Thinking Amanda Roper, Public Historian
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Aug 20, 2025 Amanda Roper, a dedicated public historian and advocate for underrepresented narratives, shares her insights into historic preservation. She discusses the evolution of public history and its engagement with wider audiences. Roper delves into the complexities of interpreting plantation history, focusing on the Gullah Geechee people's stories. She highlights the significant yet often overlooked role of women in preservation, advocating for emotional storytelling that connects today's visitors with the past. Her current research promises to shed more light on these vital contributions.
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Public History Is About Methods
- Public history uses research like academic history but focuses on methods to share it with broad audiences.
- Amanda Roper defines public historians as interpreters who make history relevant through different modes of communication.
Centering Gullah Geechee Stories
- McLeod Plantation interprets the lives of the Gullah Geechee people rather than focusing on the big house.
- The site opened in 2015 and centers enslaved people's stories and cultural continuity.
Longevity Enables Full Histories
- Long-term Black residency lets McLeod tell continuous stories from slavery to civil rights.
- Collaborative interpretation with the Gullah Geechee community was essential to avoid extractive practices.
