The past decade has seen considerable public and scholarly debate, as well as public protests over what, how, and where we memorialize difficult pasts, as well as how scholars and public history and museum professionals approach contested and traumatic histories. 

The United States, a society in which narratives of the past remain deeply divided and where the material culture of conflict is still very present, is an appropriate context in which to explore some of these issues. The objective of the program is to bring together some of the leading scholars and public history and museum professionals in the field from the United States, Northern Ireland, and other parts of Europe to explore such themes as how to account for the voices omitted from museum collections, how family histories can be used to return these voices, how difficult histories are presented in museums and public spaces, and what ethical considerations need to be taken into account when dealing with data and artifacts resulting from difficult histories.

After three days of workshop discussion among the participants about the issues facing historians and public history and museum professionals working in these contexts, the public event will open with a film screening and wine reception on the evening of Sunday 16th March, followed by an all-day symposium on Monday 17th March focusing on the various ways in which scholars and heritage professionals deal with difficult histories.

Symposium Schedule