“Patriotism is not short, frenzied outbursts of emotion, but the tranquil and steady dedication of a lifetime.” ~Adlai Stevenson, 1952. Image: Public domain.

“…in America the law is King. For as in absolute governments the King is law, so in free countries the law ought to be King; and there ought to be no other.” ~Thomas Paine, “Common Sense” (1776). Image: Public domain.

friends near pvd: join #Brown2026 and Discovery Through Dialogue for Cross Talk: A Whole Campus, Distinct Disciplines Approach @jcblibrary.bsky.social on Fri. April 3, 2026, at 5pm. this first Cross Talk is about Labor, moderated by @sethrockman.bsky.social docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...

Rhode Island and RI-adjacent friends! want to do an objectively great, feel-good public service? sign up to judge National History Day at the Rhode Island level at CCRI on Sat. Apr. 25th starting around 9am. hope to see you there ri.nhd.org/App?f=d74d80...

“The good we secure for ourselves is precarious and uncertain, is floating in mid-air, until it is secured for all of us and incorporated into our common life.” ~Jane Addams, “The Subjective Necessity of Social Settlements,” 1893. Image: Jane Addams Papers Project.

“It is clear that Congress must exert its will and devise procedures that will enable it to play its full constitutional role in making policy decisions concerning intelligence activities. Failure to do so would permit further erosion of constitutional government.” That was written in 1975.

Haven't received as many contributions as usual for this year's lists--could be many things, but one aspect is surely that our ability to get this in front of people is much diminished. If you know folks whose stuff should be on here, please suggest it! contingentmagazine.org/yearly-pub-l...

Very important news to local history authors and historical societies: slate.com/technology/2... 📚📜🗃️

The bane of my existence is someone trying to argue that there are only 63 national parks. This is not only incorrect, but belittles the historical, cultural, and landscape parks that are also protected by NPS and is the slippery slope to dismantle the park service, 🧵1/2 #nationalparks #parkchat

Seeking recommendations on books or articles discussing the natural world in New England in the 1770s & 1780s. Thank you! 🍂🍁📙

For #NutmegSky and others, my museum is hiring historic interpreters, living history interpreters, and a grants manager. Find out more at marktwainhouse.org/about/careers/

Beautiful piece by @kwilfrid.bsky.social! “I had forgotten what this part was like: the anticipation of that tall, narrow box that served as a vessel for an 18-inch companion.”

📍Revolutionary War Pension Files Transcription Event 📍Wednesday, July 16, 2025 in North Smithfield, RI (6-8 PM) www.nps.gov/planyourvisi...

(1/3) Stolen Relations has been launched for a month! Thanks to the hard work of hundreds of partners and researchers, stolenrelations.org currently has records of upwards of 7,000 individuals and many pieces of art and storytelling that help to flesh out the stories of unfree Indigenous people.

Harriet Tubman #quilt by my Mom, Vera P. Hall, who makes quilts celebrating Black people who fought for their own freedom. This seems to be the crowd favorite of the “We Didn’t Wait for Freedom” series. Happy #Juneteenth #quilting

Some sad confirmation from @bcgl.bsky.social while I was at UW last week—the National Digital Newspaper Program—which builds Chronicling America—has been shut down Historical newspapers are probably the archival material most used by the general public—for genealogy, local history—it’s such a loss

Let’s not get distracted by the lazy headlines. This isn’t just about Harriet Tubman, and it’s not just a “Tubman page” vanishing. That framing is reductive—and convenient. Legacy media loves a symbol they can flatten for clicks.

“Excuse me,” a visitor asked as they tapped my shoulder...The visitor inquired, “Is this one of those woke tours? Public historian Nick DeLuca discusses when history is advocacy and when it is not. Read, share, and enjoy on this #ScholarSunday contingentmagazine.org/2025/03/30/w...

Blue skies in Virginia & DC this past weekend. I was honored to give a talk in Jamestown. Seeing peak cherry blossoms was a bucket list item.

Anyone going to the NCPH conference in a few weeks and want to write a conference postcard for @contingent-mag.bsky.social? Shoot me a DM.

"I made a decision to work for the government, in part, because my research inspired me to pursue public service."

I organized a panel titled ‘Decentering Felicity Merriman: American Girl Dolls, Empire, and Indigenous Resistance at the Semiquincentennial,’ & it’ll be part of SHEAR 2025

I don’t usually get this view of Pawtucket. The @rhodeislandfc.bsky.social stadium is coming along. 📸 Pawtucket, RI

This weekend’s blue sky shot, taken while learning about cumberlandite (the state rock of Rhode Island). Bitterly cold day but things cleared up after a morning snowstorm. ❄️ 📸 Cumberland, RI

New to the platform so figured I’d post a blue sky from my day. 📸 Peppercorn Hill - Upton, MA