Lamar Community College historian Kelly Emick and Bent’s Old Fort Interpreter John Carson were featured on a panel sponsored by the Society of Western History at the American Historical Association (AHA) Annual Meeting held January 5-8 in Denver, Colorado. The yearly AHA event is one of the largest gatherings of historians in the United States.
In their presentations, Mrs. Emick and Mr. Carson explored the Living History of the American West.
Mrs. Emick explained how she has continued the tradition of the Frontier History Encampment at LCC, managing fundraising, event planning and publicity, contracting with interpreters, and incorporating the Encampment into her Colorado History course. She discussed the ways in which Living History allows students and community members to experience history from the perspective of the everyday lives of individuals.
Mr. Carson described his role as an interpreter as he “lives” history himself. Mr. Carson, who happens to be the great grandson of Kit Carson, teaches visitors of Bent’s Old Fort about life in the 19th Century West.
Other panel members included historian Paul Hutton of the University of New Mexico and Annessa Stagner, Dean of Academic Services at LCC.