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History Films and Archivists



Title: History Films and Archivists

The recent thread on accuracy/inaccuracy and The Patriot makes it clear that while it can be fun to pick apart inaccuracies in "based on a true story" fiction, there may be larger issues for Archivists and others  (Public Historians, Documentary makers...).  I think it is significant that the energy Archivists spend attacking films like this is contrasted with the enthusiasum the public has for this type of heritage entertainment.  

The question of accuracy in details may be less important than the question of why the public seems to care less than the Archivists.  Bridging this gap could go a long way toward increasing public understanding of and support for the work Archivists do.  The continued existence of this type of gap would seem to suggest a continued marginalization for archivists and archival issues.  I fear that  we need to better understand the public perspective to keep the field moving forward.  For more on understanding an opposing perspective, check out the "Seeing the System" section of the the website: www.qm2.org (m2 is a consulting group focused on museums)

Tom Heard
AIG Archives-Executive Records
70 Pine St.  Suite 4301
NY  NY  10270
Phone: 212-770-7258
Fax: 212-770-8060
Email:  thomas.heard@aig.com