Describes oral history interviewing techniques that the author used to research his biography of Joseph McCarthy before the American Historical Association (AHA) issued its seven guidelines on interview use. These guidelines focus on taping sessions, signed releases, written transcripts, respecting human dignity, and placing materials in archive…

Because historical objects have a powerful presence, they can be equally powerful as educational tools. Historic sites and the professionals who staff them are uniquely qualified to deal with these objects and their context. By teaching students methods of interpreting artifacts and documents, youngsters can develop higher-level cognitive skills…