The Duncan & Coe History Show: Episode Summary
Episode: Blank Check History: When Scholars Hit the Jackpot
Release Date: March 13, 2025
Hosts: Duncan & Coe
Transcript Reference: [00:00] – [26:37]
Introduction: The Million-Dollar Historical Question
In the final episode of Season Zero, titled "Blank Check History: When Scholars Hit the Jackpot," hosts Mike Duncan and Alexis Coe delve into a thought-provoking hypothetical scenario: "What would you do for history if you won the lottery?" This question serves as the catalyst for an engaging discussion on the future of historical scholarship and the passions that drive historians.
Mike Duncan opens the conversation with enthusiasm, acknowledging Alexis's aversion to hypothetical questions but highlighting her pivotal role in suggesting this intriguing premise. Alexis Coe elaborates on her discomfort with paradoxical scenarios, such as "Would you kill baby Hitler?" Instead, she presents a more optimistic vision: using lottery winnings to advance the study and preservation of history in meaningful ways.
"I would found and fund a museum dedicated to the history of American history. I would ask two questions of equal importance. The first is obvious, what happened. And the second is how did we come to believe that this is what happened?"
— Alexis Coe [02:00]
Hosts' Vision: Museum of the History of American History
Alexis proposes the creation of The Museum of the History of American History, a pioneering institution dedicated not just to historical events but to the historiography—the study of how history is written and understood. She emphasizes the importance of examining how historical narratives are constructed, challenged, and reshaped over time.
"It's a museum for sure, but it's also a vibrant research center. So it's like a think tank in a museum because that is what's most important. Good history is rarely well funded if it's. I mean, if it's funded at all."
— Alexis Coe [02:40]
Mike Duncan echoes this sentiment, highlighting their shared passion for understanding the evolution of historical narratives. He adds depth by discussing the dynamic and ongoing nature of historiography, stating that history "never ends and historiography never ends."
"History does not exist in the past. We study the past, but history itself exists in the present."
— Mike Duncan [09:07]
Guest Contributions: Scholars’ Aspirations for Historical Advancement
To enrich the discussion, Duncan and Coe introduce four esteemed guests, each sharing their unique visions for transforming the field of history with substantial funding.
1. Rory McGovern: Time-Traveling Telephone Booth
Rory McGovern, head of the American and Military History departments at West Point, brings a creative twist to the lottery question. He whimsically suggests funding the recreation of the telephone booth from "Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure", envisioning it as a real-time machine for historians to interact directly with historical figures.
"Who among us doesn't want to go and meet the people that we've studied as historians? ... Bonus points if Keanu Reeves could be our time traveling history buddy."
— Rory McGovern [12:12]
Rory further refines his idea by proposing a grant program to support schools in conducting immersive history trips, complete with leading historians as guides. This blend of imaginative and practical approaches aims to deepen students' engagement with history.
"I think I would want to establish a grant program that facilitates schools taking robust history trips and be able to pay for a leading historian on the subject that they are studying to accompany them."
— Rory McGovern [13:55]
2. Marcia Chatlin: Museum of 80s and 90s Sitcoms
Marcia Chatlin, a Pulitzer Prize-winning historian and professor at Pennsylvania, takes a nostalgic angle. She envisions a museum dedicated to 1980s and 1990s sitcoms, particularly focusing on episodes funded by the Ad Council that addressed social issues like drunk driving, eating disorders, and stranger danger.
"I would devote an entire museum to very special episodes of 1980s and 1990s sitcoms... an entire museum of this very formative style of television from my childhood."
— Marcia Chatlin [15:28]
Marcia's concept highlights the role of popular media in shaping societal norms and historical understanding, offering visitors a chance to explore the intersection of entertainment and social advocacy.
3. Emily Tamkin: Researching the Jewish People's Party
Emily Tamkin, a freelance journalist and contributing columnist at the Forward, proposes a focused historical exploration of the Jewish People's Party (Folks Parti). Established post the 1905 Russian Revolution, the party played a crucial role in advocating for Jewish cultural and social autonomy.
"Given a whole bunch of money, I would... fund research into the Jewish People's Party... providing funding for books and papers and to go through not only the political history, but the way in which that political history overlaps with intellectual production."
— Emily Tamkin [18:05]
Emily's initiative aims to shed light on a lesser-known facet of Jewish political history, emphasizing the importance of uncovering and preserving obscure yet significant historical movements.
4. Christine Cassipudi: Musical Theater-Based History Museum
Christine Cassipudi, co-founder of the Footnoting History podcast, brings an artistic dimension to historical study. She envisions a museum experience that merges musical theater with historical artifacts, allowing visitors to walk through history chronologically via performances and exhibits.
"It would be a blend of musical theater and historical artifacts... There could be live performances. It would be awesome. I promise."
— Christine Cassipudi [21:06]
Christine's concept integrates performance art with historical education, offering an immersive and interactive way to engage with past events and their cultural representations.
Synthesis: Unifying Themes and Future Reflections
Throughout the episode, a unifying theme emerges: the dynamic interplay between historical narratives and their presentation. Whether through museums, media, or immersive experiences, each guest emphasizes the importance of not just preserving history but actively engaging with and reinterpreting it to foster a deeper understanding.
Alexis Coe aptly summarizes this sentiment:
"We're all just trying to show that history isn't a static set of facts. It's living, it's breathing, it's constantly evolving, and it's a narrative that continues to shape our present and will shape our future."
— Alexis Coe [23:13]
Mike Duncan concurs, highlighting the personal passion that drives these scholarly projects and the potential impact they can have on public engagement with history.
"Any opportunity to get somebody with some funding and some direction and some ability to really create something that is deeply meaningful to them... comes through for whatever the audience is, who's going to then be taking it all in."
— Mike Duncan [25:07]
Conclusion: Embracing Passion-Driven Historical Exploration
As the episode draws to a close, Duncan and Coe reflect on the diverse and passionate ideas presented by their guests. They acknowledge the significance of passion projects in the academic world and express optimism about the future possibilities these envisioned projects hold for enriching historical scholarship and public understanding.
Alexis Coe extends gratitude to all participants and listeners, hinting at the continuation of their endeavors beyond Season Zero.
"Thank you to our listeners for your support and your patience and your grace. And thank you to today's guests, Rory McGovern, Marcia Chatlin, Emily Tamkin, Christine Cassipudi."
— Alexis Coe [26:17]
Mike Duncan concludes the session with enthusiasm for future projects and collaborations, encapsulating the episode's essence of passion, innovation, and dedication to advancing the field of history.
"If whoever Bezos is listening does actually want to pump money into this, that would be fantastic."
— Mike Duncan [10:35]
Key Takeaways:
- The intersection of historiography and public engagement is crucial for evolving historical narratives.
- Passion-driven projects, whether imaginative or focused, can significantly impact historical scholarship and education.
- Integrating diverse mediums—such as museums, media, and theater—enhances the accessibility and relatability of historical studies.
- Collaborative efforts and substantial funding can transform historical research and its dissemination to the public.
This episode of The Duncan & Coe History Show serves as a compelling exploration of how historians envision leveraging resources to deepen our understanding of history and its ongoing influence on society.