TMP Reports
Posted: Thursday, May 28, 2009 10:55 am

MTSU’s history department and public history program will serve as hosts for this year's Distinguished Public Historian, Dr. Spencer Crew, who will lead a panel discussion at 7 p.m. May 29 in the main courtroom on the second floor of the Rutherford County Courthouse.

"American Slavery and Its Impact on Universities, Past and Present" will be the topic of the free and open discussion, which—in addition to guest historian Crew—will include Jim Campbell (Stanford University), Alfred Brophy (UNC-Chapel Hill) and Carroll Van West (MTSU).

Additionally, a reception for Crew and the participating historians will be held for just prior to the Friday panel, from 5 to 6:30 p.m. at The Heritage Center, 225 W. College St., in downtown Murfreesboro.

Widely recognized as one of the top public historians in the nation, Crew graduated with a Ph.D. in history from Rutgers University, then began a long career working with the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of American History.

From 1981 to 2001, he worked his way up from historian to executive director of the Smithsonian NMAH, developing several celebrated exhibits, including "From Field to Factory." During his time at the NMAM, he also launched major initiatives that revolutionized the Smithsonian's outreach and fundraising programs.

In 2001, Crew departed the Smithsonian to undertake the role of executive director/CEO of the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center in Cincinnati, Ohio. In January 2008, he resigned from NURFC to assume a public history faculty position at George Mason University, where he continues his work with museums and historic sites throughout the nation.

Regarding Crew’s selection as the 2009 Distinguished Public Historian, Bren Martin, MTSU history professor, observed that “his perspective on museums and sites of conscience, drawn from the breadth and depth of his impressive professional career, will benefit our students tremendously.”

For more information, please contact the Department of History at MTSU at 615-898-2536.