What is the Registered Historian Program?

In 2000, the APHNYS Board of Trustees approved a program to recognize all public historians who complete a program demonstrating significant accomplishment and proven capability.  This initiative is called the Registered Historian Program   A seven member Registered Historian Recognition Committee laid the groundwork for the program establishing the rules, procedures, criteria and approval process.  These factors were tested in a Pilot Study in 2002 and 2003 in Region V with 113 historians eligible to participate along with the Committee.  A group of forty historians elected to participate.  Of these 14 became the first Registered Historians in the APHNYS program.

 

The Registered Historians Honor Roll

Each public historian in this group documented his or her educational background, both formal and informal.  In addition, work experience in the four areas identified as a part of the historian’s job (research and writing, public presentations, preservation, and advocacy) was also documented.  Each application was reviewed by the Registered Historians Recognition Committee and upon successful completion the public historian was awarded the Registration Certificate and lapel pin.

Registration is considered a marked accomplishment not unlike professional development programs in place for other government officials and professions. It means that the historian is dedicated to lifelong learning as a Public Historian and to encouraging others to do work of high quality and excellence in their communities.

Since the beginning of the program APHNYS has also been working to offer a large number of educational opportunities for the public historian designed to aid in professional development and completion of the Registration requirements.  Workshops, seminars, and other educational events are regularly scheduled in APHNYS’ twelve Regions, county sessions, and APHNYS biannual conferences.  Historians are encouraged to participate in these events and to work toward becoming a Registered Historian.  The Registration Program is ongoing, and new Registered Historians are recognized and honored each year.

Any public historian who meets the qualifications may apply for Registered Historian status. A public historian qualifies to apply for registration if:

1.  He/she has been a duly appointed public historian for three years

2.  He/she is a member of APHNYS

3.  He/she is willing to document his/her education and work experience