NARA Piloting new Feature, History Hub (ends May 2016)

NARA is piloting a new feature called History Hub. In a nutshell, it “is conceived as a new kind of space in which NARA’s archivists, staff from other institutions like the Smithsonian and the Library of Congress, and the public can ask questions and exchange information. The research process can be daunting, but NARA’s goal is to make it easier for the first-time visitor or seasoned researcher to find the resources they need.”

Here is a bit more detail from the History Hub website ...

A pilot support community managed by the National Archives for researchers, citizen historians, archival professionals, and open government advocates

What is the History Hub?

History Hub is a pilot crowdsourcing platform sponsored by the National Archives. It is a place to share information, work together, and find people based on their experience and interests. Subject matter experts from the National Archives as well as other experts, history enthusiasts, and citizen archivists are available to help with your research. This phase of History Hub will last for six months and will end in May 2016.

What can I do with History Hub?

History Hub offers tools like discussion boards, blogs, and community pages to bring together experts and researchers interested in American history. Think of it as a one-stop shop for crowdsourcing information related to your research subject.

Why is the National Archives conducting a 6 month pilot of History Hub?

We hope to connect with and better serve customers interested in the historic records we hold. We are launching the History Hub as a limited 6 month pilot project so that we can test its usefulness as a crowdsourcing platform. We hope to apply what we learn to a longer-term solution that can be used by federal government agencies and other interested organizations looking to expand public participation.

I have questions. Can I email you?

Please do! Email [email protected]. We look forward to your feedback.

This is a pilot project and it will end in May 2016!  Take it for a spin.  Go ask a question or possibly answer one.  There are sub-areas set up for New Researchers Help, Genealogists, Open Government, Military Records and Transcribers.

What do you think? 

Has History Hub helped you or be of likely help as you do your research?

Have you helped someone else by answering a question posed?

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