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NIAHD-Public History at WM

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NIAHD-Public History at WM

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The National Institute of American History & Democracy (NIAHD) is a partnership between William & Mary and the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation.

We use an interdisciplinary approach to teach about American History, Material Culture, and Public History. NIAHD sponsors the Pre-College Program in American History for high school students; the Program in Material Culture & Public History for W&M's collegiate students, and the Program for Visiting Students from other colleges and universities who would like to enroll at W&M for one semester or one academic year and participate in the MCPH alongside W&M students.

10/23/2026

Happy Throwback Friday!

This week, Drs. Richter, Schroeder, and myself had the pleasure of speaking with William & Mary alumna Dr. Lauren Braun-Strumfels '01 about her time doing independent research with NIAHD's founder Dr. Jim Whittenburg in the 1999-2000 school year.

Her project focused on the letters of Eliza Ambler Carrington, a teenager during the Revolution who lived in Yorktown. Lauren's project involving aspects of historic dress and interpretation helped give Dr. Whittenburg the idea for NIAHD's approach to living and public history!

Pictured is Lauren's dress from April 2000 as part of her interpretation at Yorktown Victory Center.

10/23/2026

In town for Homecoming (or have friends and family who are)? Sign up to take the Revolutionary Transformations tour from current NIAHD undergrads this weekend!
https://go.wm.edu/2G9DLg

Pictured, Historic Guide Kayly Jacobs '27, and Queen Anne, who sadly did not attend the college.

10/22/2026

See our website for course descriptions.

Application opens November 16.

see & do & hear & find & make history with NIAHD!

10/16/2026

Happy Throwback Friday!

NIAHD Pre-Coll students enjoying free time during Session 1 in 2008 featuring NIAHD's own Dr. McCartney!

Come back next week for more images from NIAHD's past.

10/14/2026

In case you missed it: NIAHD senior Gwendolyn Hughes wrote up some of her capstone research on the history of the "Indian" and "tribe" mascot affiliations at W&M last month for the Flat Hat!

Gwendolyn Hughes ’27 is a history major. She is involved in the National Institute of American History & Democracy program for Public History and Material Culture and is passionate about highlighting underrepresented stories and promoting them to larger audiences. Outside of classes, she is in the...

10/07/2026

Last weekend, NIAHD's Dr. Julie Richter and Dr. Sarah McCartney presented at the VMHC's 2026 Conrad M. Hall Symposium alongside Mary Hannah Grier, Colonial Williamsburg's Apprentice Bookbinder, and Ishbel Newton, Colonial Williamsburg's Apprentice Milliner. Dr. Richter noted that all three of her co-panelists were W&M/NIAHD Alumni!

The panel spoke about hands-on collaborative projects between NIAHD and CW that are giving students, faculty, and public historians an opportunity to learn from each and consider ways to interpret history to a public audience.

10/06/2026

Last week, NIAHD 2026 Instructor and History doctoral student, Jennifer Merriman presented her research at the Emerging Scholars Series, a public program jointly sponsored by the Graduate Center at William & Mary and the Williamsburg Regional Library. Jennifer told the fascinating story of the first American Bible printed in a European language - a Bible issued in Pennsylvania in 1743, stolen by pirates, and later coveted in German courts.

Next up, Jessica Brabble, also a NIAHD 2026 Instructor and History doctoral student, who will deliver a talk entitled "Better Baby Contests in the Early Twentieth Century" - October 15, 2 p.m. at the Stryker Center.

10/02/2026

Happy Throwback Friday everyone!

The famous NIAHD vans have been a beloved part of the program since the very beginning. Even in 2006 students were falling asleep in the back; some NIAHD traditions never die!

See you all next week for another post from NIAHD's history!

09/25/2026

Course titles coming soon...

Address

William & Mary, PO Box 8795
Williamsburg, VA
23187

Opening Hours

Monday	8am - 5pm
Tuesday	8am - 5pm
Wednesday	8am - 5pm
Thursday	8am - 5pm
Friday	8am - 5pm

Telephone

+17572217652

Website

https://linktr.ee/niahdatwm

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