By identifying, historicizing, and analyzing the progressive impulse in public history, this collaborative project will open up a new conversation about the beginnings of our field. Our work will draw needed attention to the limitations, and potential of contemporary public history practice.  Most historiographies have set public history’s roots in 19^th century historic preservation movements, Civil War battlefield commemoration, and the local history movement. A variety of scholars have argued that these practices infused public history with a rather conservative agenda, to protect America from the forces of dramatic social change. Less well studied has been the history and influence of progressive impulses underpinning public history as it is practiced today. That underpinning is evident, particularly, among public historians who emphasize civic engagement