For nearly four decades, the Center for Public History has been a leader in the field of public history in the city, the state of Texas, and the United States. We create collaborative, investigative projects with university and community partners to generate both local and global historical research. Most importantly, our community-driven projects create unique hands-on learning opportunities for graduate and undergraduate students to prepare them for a wide array of careers.

From its inception, "100 Years of Stories” has been a history laboratory, where students learn by doing. Award-winning faculty members design their courses to provide students critical research and writing skills at the heart of this project. “Projects like ‘100 Years of Stories’ are an especially meaningful way to teach students what it means to do historical research and present it to a public audience,” says Dr. Monica Perales, Director of the Center for Public History. "Students get to experience the excitement of uncovering something new in the archives, and to make connections between the past and the present. It breaks down the barriers between faculty and students that helps them see the power of discovery.”

In a variety of classes and through internship opportunities, students conduct deep archival research, learn oral history techniques, and share their findings in thoughtfully crafted articles geared toward a wide public readership.

“Working on a project like this, the students become totally invested. When interviewees entrust the students with their personal stories in an oral history, the students feel privileged and inspired to do those stories justice. Students then work diligently to write the best article possible to convey that to our Houston History magazine audience. When their articles are published in the magazine, nothing compares to the pride they feel at having shared an important piece of history and having a tangible product to show for their efforts,” editor Dr. Debbie Harwell notes.

From my experience working at the University of Houston’s Center for Public History on the 100 Years of Stories project, I learned how to utilize research for a public audience, conduct oral histories, and how to collaborate with different departments. Additionally, it was exciting to witness and participate in the behind-the-scenes of presenting episode outlines for Houston Public Media. My time spent working on 100 Years of Stories revealed my passion for interacting with the public while documenting history. To further my interests and experience, I am hoping to attend a graduate program in public history.”    Grace Conroy, UH undergraduate student

“Working on the 100 Years of Stories project has helped me develop confidence in my abilities of being a public historian. Not only am I refining my writing and research skills, but I’m getting invaluable experience conducting oral interviews while meeting and learning about the heart of UH. I feel not only more connected to this community, but more enthusiastic and proud of my growth as a proud member of this project."

Samantha de Leon, UH graduate student in public history

"Most Houstonians know the big names that hang on the buildings on campus, but it was fascinating for me to expand my own vision of the Cougar community. Digging through the archives and sitting down for oral histories allowed me to make more connections between UH and the innovative trailblazers I had read about elsewhere. This project not only sharpened my research and writing skills as a public historian, but it also helped me link my experiences here to a larger, global world."       Caitlyn Jones, UH graduate student