Our Whole History: Exploring the Experiences of All People
The Our Whole History (OWH) initiative seeks to reveal and share historically undertold stories of ordinary and extraordinary people across New York State. By providing multiple perspectives on historic places and events, New York State historic sites and parks encourage the general public to take a deeper look at our state's history, learn more about the people who got us where we are today, and explore the experiences of all people.
The Roots of Our Whole History
The foundation for the Our Whole History initiative began in the 1980s, when the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP) sought to expand and deepen the public's understanding of New York State history with the construction and opening of Ganondagan State Historic Site. Launched in 2020, Our Whole History has emerged as the driving force behind several recent and upcoming OPRHP projects, including:
- the renovation, rehabilitation, and reopening of Philipse Manor Hall State Historic Site in 2022 with 2,800 square feet of new exhibition space that incorporates not just the journeys of the Philipse family but the Indigenous peoples from whom the Philipse lands derive, and enslaved Africans from whose work and trade the Philipse family prospered during the pre-Revolutionary era;
- the opening of new exhibits at Washington's Headquarters State Historic Site, Clermont State Historic Site, and Crailo State Historic Site;
- the acquisition, naming and opening of new state parks, including Sojourner Truth and Shirley Chisholm State Parks, named after trailblazing women who fought for civil rights and social justice;
- the renovation of existing state parks such as Marsha P. Johnson State Park which was renamed in 2020 to honor Johnson as a pioneer of the LGBTQ civil rights movement; and
- statewide endeavors like the “Revisit the Revolution” kiosk project
Ongoing Research
OWH is a commitment to reexamining what we think we know and, in turn, sharing the whole truth as accurately and completely as we can know it. Beyond the traditional historic record, OWH builds upon lesser-known resources, including archeology and intangible culture. We often begin with a new set of questions, asking “who or what is missing from the current primary narrative?” This research-driven process requires reexamining existing resources and incorporating the latest research to provide the most comprehensive story to the public.
Evolving Narratives
This approach impacts multiple agency programs at NY State Parks. The agency may seek to amend outdated documentation on the State and National Registers of Historic Places to acknowledge the presence of enslaved people and recognize their distinct cultures, lives, and struggles. In exhibit and program development, OWH may mean expanding the narrative at a state historic site or historic park to answer the questions: Who else lived here? What existed before this place? How was it built and maintained? Within our existing museum collections, we can look at items with new eyes and expand the interpretive emphasis from the purchaser to the maker or user. In seeking to interpret the agency’s natural environment and open spaces, this wholistic approach can be a matter of recognizing Indigenous approaches to environmental caretaking, conservation and use of resources.
Opportunities for Discovery
The goal of this initiative is to provide resources, convey context, and reinvigorate public engagement with New York’s rich cultural and environmental history. From onsite programs and exhibitions at state historic sites and parks to traveling exhibitions hosted by community organizations, expanded digital databases, and new historic documentation, the public will have the opportunity to learn from and contribute to this exciting and ongoing work.
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