Learn How to “Do” History in Free Workshops @ Utah Division of State History (SLC: Sept 5)

For immediate release

August 28, 2013

 Learn How to “Do” History in Free Workshops

The Utah Division of State History / Utah State Historical Society is presenting a series of workshops as part of the 61^st Annual Utah State History Conference.  These trainings will give guidance on a variety of historical endeavors. All workshops are free and open to any interested person.  No registration is required.

The workshops will take place on Thursday, September 5, at the Rio Grande Depot, 300 S. Rio Grande Street, Salt Lake City.  

9:00– 11:30

• Writing History and Publishing in Utah Historical Quarterly   The second half of the workshop will be hands-on, with an opportunity for participants to talk about individual writing projects with the UHQ staff. Come prepared with ideas, questions, and manuscripts.  Presented by historian and UHQ Acting Editor Dr. Holly George.

• Wake the Dead:  Family History Resources at the Research Center of the Utah State Archives and Utah State History   This presentation will discuss resources and topics that are most useful for genealogists and family history researchers.  Presented by Alan Barnett and Doug Misner, managers of the Research Center at the Rio Grande Depot.

• National Register and Architectural Survey Consultant Workshop  Architectural historian and National Register Coordinator Cory Jensen, who reviews and processes nominations, will share resources, explain best  practices, offer  examples of nomination forms and surveys (intensive single site surveys and reconnaissance surveys) and give a brief primer on understanding architectural styles.

1:00 –  3:30

• Any Time and Any Place: Laws and Procedures for the Inadvertent Discovery of Archaeological Human Remains in Utah   There are specific laws for archaeological human remains that ensure they are protected them from purposeful desecration and ensuring they are treated with respect.  This workshop will discuss the laws concerning archaeological human remains and what people should do if they believe they have found human remains. Presented by Dr. Derinna Kopp, Forensic/Physical  Anthropologist.

• Placing the Narrative: Integrating the Geographic and Historical Perspectives of the Past    This workshop for authors and potential authors of Utah Historical Quarterly articles--as well as all writers of history--will explore how the geographic perspective informs historical research. It will provide an overview of methods and approaches to using geography in writing history.  Presented by Drs. Brandon Plewe and Sam Otterstrom, geographers and professors at Brigham Young University.

The State History Conference theme is “The Making of Place.”  Additional conference events include “The Making and Unmaking of Utah,” an illustrated presentation by Dr. Jared Farmer at the Salt Lake City Main Library on the evening of September 5, and a diverse lineup of history sessions on September 6 and 7. All members of the public are invited to attend these free events.  Fort Douglas Military museum is also sponsoring a field trip to the Bear River Massacre Site on September 8 ($65).  For further information, see http://history.utah.gov, or call Alycia Aldrich at 801-245-7226.