Women Doing History

LCHS
2 days ago
5 min read

This article first appeared in the May/June 2026 edition of Home & Harvest magazine.

By Kaitlynn Anderson, Museum Curator

Zoe Baum working on the archaeology dig at the Moscow High School.

If you have read any of the publications or social media postings from the Latah County Historical Society for the past year or so, you probably have heard about America 250. The purpose of America 250, also known as the Semiquincentennial, is to commemorate the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776, while showcasing the different stages of growth in the United States of America. The discussion of the evolution of our country and the current standing of America provide the opportunity for individuals to express their thoughts and feelings around this important 250-year history.

At every level of government, many commemoration activities are occurring and scheduled. In Moscow and Latah County, the Latah County Historical Society and several community organizations created the Moscow America 250 Commission to plan local commemoration efforts. While most of the commemoration activities will happen in 2026, our local commemoration began in 2025 and will continue throughout 2027. Events, such as the Smithsonian Voices and Votes exhibit, Moscow League of Women Voters Speaker Series, and the Renfrew Colloquium at the University of Idaho, are a few examples of what has already occurred. In the upcoming future, the America 250 Commission will be tabling at the Moscow Farmer’s Market on the first Saturday of the month, partnering with local organizations for exhibits and musical productions, and scheduling volunteer days with nonprofits in the community for the public to participate. These types of commemorative events speak of the importance of the local community and how it connects to the greater narrative of America.

Jantzen Bates giving a tour of the Leila Old Historic Costume Collection to students in the History of Western Dress Class.

Historically, similar to other fields, the history field has been dominated by men, especially within academia and in institutional administration. Through this imbalance, there has been difficulty for women breaking down the cultural stereotypes, as well as receiving fair compensation. Examining one step further, there is an immense imbalance of racial and ethnic diversity within the field. As provided by the American Association for State and Local History, their 2025 survey showcased that 89% of history practitioners are white, whereas 11% are BIPOC individuals. This data is supported by the number of BIPOC people interviewed for this project. Of the 13 interviewees, only two of them were BIPOC individuals. History practitioners who identify as people of color, especially if they are also women, are more likely to encounter discrimination despite similar educational backgrounds within the field.

Lysa Salsbury preparing to table for an event at the University of Idaho.

Other trends have emerged as LCHS has conducted this oral history project. One of the major commonalities between all participants has been the focus of community. Several interviewees discussed how one of their favorite aspects of the work they do is being able to work with the local community through programming, education, or collaboration. It is important for the interviewees that their communities understand the work they do and how it impacts not only residents now, but in the future. These personal narratives of helping preserve history and providing a service for others belonging and sense of place for the interviewees. Connecting communities to the humanities is a powerful thing and the interviewees felt grateful to be part of that.

Historical archaeologist, Priscilla Wegars, working on an archaeological dig.

Another area of commonality between the women interviewed included their hobbies and interests growing up. While some individuals noted that they were very active and enjoyed the outdoors, the majority discussed how they were heavily interested in books and academia. Some might say that these are characteristics of an introvert and people pleasers, while others may say that they are high achievers and deep thinkers. In any case, it highlights the love of knowledge and learning at a very young age, that was often encouraged by family members. These characteristics and hobbies tend to fall in line with the individuals who work in the humanities field.

Although the interviewees mostly seem to follow the same path in terms of schooling and what makes their work meaningful to them, there was also a slight difference between them. One of the questions that the interviewees answered was if they had any mentors, and if so, who. Most of the interviewees discussed mentors who were also women, either in the humanities field or from their personal lives. However, there were a couple of interviewees who mentioned males as their mentors. What piques my interest about this difference is that the women who mentioned male mentors were older women. This speaks to a time in the field dominated by men, when these women were beginning their careers.

April Hernandez, Latah County Library District director, explaining photos from when the 1980s library was being built.

Another topic that came up related to the inclusion of artificial intelligence in the humanities. The danger of artificial intelligence usage in the history field, and the humanities field in general, has become a vast concern. The work that interviewees complete cannot be replicated or completed by artificial intelligence. Human beings are the only ones that can complete it. History is personal and causes thoughts, feelings, and emotions – all of which artificial intelligence cannot perform or convey. This reasoning drives home the reality that the humanities should be valued in every form, including visibility, financially, and academically. Without individuals interested in pursuing the humanities, aspects of understanding, critical thinking, and humanity start to disappear.

After reading about some of the women who have been interviewed for our oral history initiative, ask yourself the following questions. What are some examples of how you interact with history on a daily basis? What will you do to make history? How will you preserve it for future generations? Consider these questions as you move through the world and think about how you can serve your community and future generations.

Sharon Harris giving a school tour of the Kendrick Museum.

We are incredibly lucky to live in a community that values history and the humanities so much. We are also grateful to those who make it their career to examine the human condition and preserve our treasured history, while making that information accessible to all. Access to information is one of the most important aspects we can offer and steward for future generations. Our community is incredibly fortunate to have these amazing women completing this vital work.

A generous thank you goes to the following women who have been interviewed for the project thus far: Zoe Baum, Dulce Kersting-Lark, Hayley Noble, Kylee Britzman, Priscilla Wegars, KT Turner, Lysa Salsbury, April Hernandez, Paige Mangini, Rebecca Hastings, Aly Kreikemeier, Jantzen Bates, and Sharon Harris. This is an ongoing project that has the potential to grow larger in the future.

More information regarding America 250 can be found on the Latah County Historical Society’s website. Also, if you or someone you know would be interested in participating in an oral history interview, please contact LCHS.