Citation
Historians as trouble-makers: cultural heritage, tourism and the public historian in Tasmania: Peter MacFie [Paper delivered at Centre for Tasmanian Historical Studies Conference (1993). Whither Tasmanian History in the 1990s?] Tasmanian Historical Studies, Vol. 4, No. 1, 1993: 41-45
Outline
Tourism is a growing industry in Tasmania, and history is often sold as part of tourism. However, historians are not always seen as a necessary part of the ongoiing marketing of the history of a place or a story. Historians are even sometimes seen as ‘trouble makers’ for not endorsing the stories that the marketers want to use.
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Excerpt
The Historian as Trouble-Maker
When working in 1992 for the department of Parks, Wildlife and Heritage, an anxious phone-call from the Cultural Tourism attaché within the Tasmanian Department of Tourism was received. Of concern was a request from a senior lecturer in History at the University of Tasmania who wanted signs displayed for Smith O’Brien’s cottage on Maria Island. My caller wanted to know whether the lecturer was a “Trouble-maker”!! This month there is a national conference in Melbourne on “Cultural Tourism”; there are no historians listed to speak, but the Department of Tourism’s representatives are listed. Similarly, Richard Flanagan’s texts used in the new Strahan Visitor Centre resulted in his work being queried at State Cabinet level; critical comments by one of his supervising panel were only withdrawn after threatened libel action.
These and similar incidents which have occurred to colleagues were a replica of my experiences at Port Arthur Historic Site, and as a freelance historian before and since. While at Port Arthur I was threatened directly and indirectly when asserting points of view, particularly those concerning the new site museum. All these experiences indicate that historians as a profession are not setting the agenda in the public perception and management of history. When we do become involved with history in the market place, our profound concerns and perceptions are regarded as “trouble- making.” Our view of ourselves and our role differs greatly from those who ask us for historical data, or who are employing us. As a result they are interpreting the past for the community, for the visitor, albeit unwittingly, with little or no input from historians.
We are not in charge of the public process of history which instead is being dictated to us by other professions, particularly archaeologists and planners, who see us as information providers. We are not seen as interpreters and transmitters of cultural knowledge and values. The small regard that the State has for historians is shown by there being no position or category within the government for our profession. During eight years with Parks, Wildlife and Heritage, I was classified under the clerical division as an “Administrative Officer.” All contract historians are similarly categorised. A recent advertisement for a historian required only a driver’s licence, all that the Department is legally bound to ask.
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