In this episode of Public History with Jake and Justin, we talk with two dedicated public historians doing vital work at one of the Frederick, Maryland’s most important historic sites: Rose Hill Manor.
We’re joined by Amanda Venable, Museum Manager at Rose Hill Manor Park and Museums, and Kari Saavedra, Recreation Manager of Natural and Cultural Heritage for Frederick County Parks and Recreation.
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Together, Amanda and Kari are reimagining what interpretation can look like at a site with layers of American history – from the legacy of Maryland’s first elected governor, Thomas Johnson, to the lives of enslaved people, to the evolution of childhood and domestic life in the 18th and 19th centuries.
This conversation explores how public historians at the local level are navigating big questions around memory, inclusion, and place. You’ll hear how Rose Hill is preparing for America’s 250th anniversary in 2026, how their team is engaging with the community today, and why small museums like this one are essential to telling a fuller American story.
We also talk about the changing landscape of public history practice – what it means to tell difficult stories honestly, the responsibility we carry as interpreters of the past, and how quiet museum spaces can offer a powerful alternative to the noise of our present moment.
In this episode we discuss:
- Why Rose Hill is a site of layered historical memory
- The challenge (and opportunity) of interpreting the lives of enslaved people in places where white stories were once dominant in interpretation
- How a children’s museum setting fosters intergenerational learning and connection
- The road to 2026: opportunities and concerns in commemorating America’s 250th
- How Amanda and Kari bring passion, patience, and purpose to their roles every day
Listen to previous podcast episode about museums and historical interpretation
Podcast – The Weight of Place: Codie Eash on Seminary Ridge and Civil War Memory
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