Mark R. Cheathem
@markcheathem.bsky.social
Historian, documentary editor, and writer. Views are my own. https://linktr.ee/markcheathem
Reposted by Mark R. Cheathem
The new @inpursuitusa.bsky.social project launches today for #PresidentsDay with articles on George & Martha Washington.
George W. Bush on George: www.inpursuit.org/lessons/for-...
@kawulf.bsky.social on Martha: www.inpursuit.org/lessons/befo...
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George W. Bush on George: www.inpursuit.org/lessons/for-...
@kawulf.bsky.social on Martha: www.inpursuit.org/lessons/befo...
🗃️
February 16, 2026 at 3:09 PM
The new @inpursuitusa.bsky.social project launches today for #PresidentsDay with articles on George & Martha Washington.
George W. Bush on George: www.inpursuit.org/lessons/for-...
@kawulf.bsky.social on Martha: www.inpursuit.org/lessons/befo...
🗃️
George W. Bush on George: www.inpursuit.org/lessons/for-...
@kawulf.bsky.social on Martha: www.inpursuit.org/lessons/befo...
🗃️
Reposted by Mark R. Cheathem
I’m volunteering on (and receiving travel funds for) a digital portal project for the Frances Perkins Center. first stop: Mount Holyoke
February 16, 2026 at 6:24 PM
I’m volunteering on (and receiving travel funds for) a digital portal project for the Frances Perkins Center. first stop: Mount Holyoke
Reposted by Mark R. Cheathem
We cannot separate the history of the nation from the history of slavery.
George Washington was an enslaver. As President he brought enslaved people to Philadelphia, and rotated them out to evade a Pennsylvania law that promised emancipation after six months in the state. /1
George Washington was an enslaver. As President he brought enslaved people to Philadelphia, and rotated them out to evade a Pennsylvania law that promised emancipation after six months in the state. /1
February 16, 2026 at 6:13 PM
We cannot separate the history of the nation from the history of slavery.
George Washington was an enslaver. As President he brought enslaved people to Philadelphia, and rotated them out to evade a Pennsylvania law that promised emancipation after six months in the state. /1
George Washington was an enslaver. As President he brought enslaved people to Philadelphia, and rotated them out to evade a Pennsylvania law that promised emancipation after six months in the state. /1
Reposted by Mark R. Cheathem
To steal a line from our friends at Friends of Lindenwald and Martin Van Buren National Historic Site, let's party with Marty on this Presidents' Day!
February 16, 2026 at 2:44 PM
To steal a line from our friends at Friends of Lindenwald and Martin Van Buren National Historic Site, let's party with Marty on this Presidents' Day!
Reposted by Mark R. Cheathem
Two particular donors deserve mention. Bob & Pam Black made the initial donation to get PMVB off of the ground, & Cynthia Van Buren left an estate gift that funds the lecture series named in her memory & provides funding for our student internships.
February 16, 2026 at 2:44 PM
Two particular donors deserve mention. Bob & Pam Black made the initial donation to get PMVB off of the ground, & Cynthia Van Buren left an estate gift that funds the lecture series named in her memory & provides funding for our student internships.
Reposted by Mark R. Cheathem
We also want to thank past and present members of our advisory board for their advice and support. vanburenpapers.org/about-projec...
Advisory Board | Papers of Martin Van Buren
The PMVB advisory board provides support and direction for project content, programming, and staffing. The last year of a member's current term of service is indicated in parentheses.
vanburenpapers.org
February 16, 2026 at 2:44 PM
We also want to thank past and present members of our advisory board for their advice and support. vanburenpapers.org/about-projec...
Reposted by Mark R. Cheathem
and the Tennessee General Assembly), our editorial staff (James Bradley, Erica Cavanaugh, Katie Blizzard, Andrew Wiley, David Gregory, Katie Hatton, Aaron Crawford, Max Matherne, Cole Nichols, Ed Bradley, and Maggie Baldwin), and our students and volunteers: vanburenpapers.org/about-projec....
Project Staff | Papers of Martin Van Buren
Project director and co-editor Mark R. Cheathem is professor of history at Cumberland University. He is the author or editor of nine books and several articles and essays on the Jacksonian and Civil W...
vanburenpapers.org
February 16, 2026 at 2:44 PM
and the Tennessee General Assembly), our editorial staff (James Bradley, Erica Cavanaugh, Katie Blizzard, Andrew Wiley, David Gregory, Katie Hatton, Aaron Crawford, Max Matherne, Cole Nichols, Ed Bradley, and Maggie Baldwin), and our students and volunteers: vanburenpapers.org/about-projec....
Reposted by Mark R. Cheathem
Over the past ten years, our work has been made possible by our sponsors and partners (Cumberland Univ., @nehgov.bsky.social, the NHPRC, the Center for Digital Editing (centerfordigitalediting.org), the Van Buren Family Foundation, the Watson-Brown Foundation, the Heller Family Foundation,
Center for Digital Editing
centerfordigitalediting.org
February 16, 2026 at 2:44 PM
Over the past ten years, our work has been made possible by our sponsors and partners (Cumberland Univ., @nehgov.bsky.social, the NHPRC, the Center for Digital Editing (centerfordigitalediting.org), the Van Buren Family Foundation, the Watson-Brown Foundation, the Heller Family Foundation,
Reposted by Mark R. Cheathem
Today marks ten years since the Papers of Martin Van Buren officially launched at Cumberland Univ. Our project has built on the solid foundation provided by the original PMVB project @ Penn State Univ. (1969-87), transforming its microfilm edition into a more accessible 21st-century digital edition.
February 16, 2026 at 2:44 PM
Today marks ten years since the Papers of Martin Van Buren officially launched at Cumberland Univ. Our project has built on the solid foundation provided by the original PMVB project @ Penn State Univ. (1969-87), transforming its microfilm edition into a more accessible 21st-century digital edition.
Reposted by Mark R. Cheathem
Hogan's Heroes and Postwar America video/podcast Kickstarter campaign is officially launched!! Please consider backing us. If you haven't done a Kickstarter before, if we don't meet the campaign goal, no money moves. Pledges above the goal will continue to flow.
www.kickstarter.com/projects/lee...
www.kickstarter.com/projects/lee...
Hogan's Heroes and Post War America
An 8-episode documentary video pod about the making of the show, the actors' lives, American history, and learning to laugh at Nazis
www.kickstarter.com
February 16, 2026 at 12:49 PM
Hogan's Heroes and Postwar America video/podcast Kickstarter campaign is officially launched!! Please consider backing us. If you haven't done a Kickstarter before, if we don't meet the campaign goal, no money moves. Pledges above the goal will continue to flow.
www.kickstarter.com/projects/lee...
www.kickstarter.com/projects/lee...
Reposted by Mark R. Cheathem
Last night, I was awarded the 2026 Outstanding Educator of the Year from the Daughters of the America Revolution. To be honored this early in my career is a testament to the dedication I’ve tried to put in the last five years. This award is dedicated to all my students: past, present, and future.
February 15, 2026 at 9:19 PM
Last night, I was awarded the 2026 Outstanding Educator of the Year from the Daughters of the America Revolution. To be honored this early in my career is a testament to the dedication I’ve tried to put in the last five years. This award is dedicated to all my students: past, present, and future.
Reposted by Mark R. Cheathem
Anyone have any recommendations for finding statistics about the changing demographics by gender of moviegoers, especially in the U.S., especially from 1930-1970? #HATM Again, I'm not interested in the demographics of people involved in the industry for these purposes but those attending the films.
February 15, 2026 at 6:45 PM
Anyone have any recommendations for finding statistics about the changing demographics by gender of moviegoers, especially in the U.S., especially from 1930-1970? #HATM Again, I'm not interested in the demographics of people involved in the industry for these purposes but those attending the films.
Reposted by Mark R. Cheathem
Can someone recommend an independent researcher that can visit an archive in New Haven, CT? I really need someone ASAP. I would prefer someone experienced, but in theory anyone that can read these city names and dates in cursive could be fine. It should take 4-6 hours. 🗃️
February 12, 2026 at 7:47 PM
Can someone recommend an independent researcher that can visit an archive in New Haven, CT? I really need someone ASAP. I would prefer someone experienced, but in theory anyone that can read these city names and dates in cursive could be fine. It should take 4-6 hours. 🗃️
Reposted by Mark R. Cheathem
Help! Can anybody more skilled than I in reading crabbing Tudor hands help me read what it is that the 100 oaks were cut down to make (the last word underlined)? [TNA, C 154/1 no. 3] #palaeography #skystorians
February 12, 2026 at 1:13 PM
Help! Can anybody more skilled than I in reading crabbing Tudor hands help me read what it is that the 100 oaks were cut down to make (the last word underlined)? [TNA, C 154/1 no. 3] #palaeography #skystorians
Reposted by Mark R. Cheathem
it's literally impossible for an LLM to do a historian's job
it's not even LLMs sucking it's that they need data input to do anything and where's that data supposed to be coming from without historians
never met a computer that can dig through a thousand year old book in a library
it's not even LLMs sucking it's that they need data input to do anything and where's that data supposed to be coming from without historians
never met a computer that can dig through a thousand year old book in a library
February 11, 2026 at 8:35 PM
it's literally impossible for an LLM to do a historian's job
it's not even LLMs sucking it's that they need data input to do anything and where's that data supposed to be coming from without historians
never met a computer that can dig through a thousand year old book in a library
it's not even LLMs sucking it's that they need data input to do anything and where's that data supposed to be coming from without historians
never met a computer that can dig through a thousand year old book in a library
Reposted by Mark R. Cheathem
Yet another crucial point: the vast majority of the world’s historical archives have not been digitized and are thus totally invisible to LLMs/AI.
bsky.app/profile/jcte...
bsky.app/profile/jcte...
it's literally impossible for an LLM to do a historian's job
it's not even LLMs sucking it's that they need data input to do anything and where's that data supposed to be coming from without historians
never met a computer that can dig through a thousand year old book in a library
it's not even LLMs sucking it's that they need data input to do anything and where's that data supposed to be coming from without historians
never met a computer that can dig through a thousand year old book in a library
February 11, 2026 at 8:40 PM
Yet another crucial point: the vast majority of the world’s historical archives have not been digitized and are thus totally invisible to LLMs/AI.
bsky.app/profile/jcte...
bsky.app/profile/jcte...
Reposted by Mark R. Cheathem
AI simply cannot stand in front of a classroom, gesticulating wildly and writing semi-illegibly on chalkboards, both of which are key to building rapport and convincing your students you are worth learning from
If people think AI can replace historians and political scientists, I have a bridge on the Thames to sell you.
February 11, 2026 at 4:53 PM
AI simply cannot stand in front of a classroom, gesticulating wildly and writing semi-illegibly on chalkboards, both of which are key to building rapport and convincing your students you are worth learning from
Reposted by Mark R. Cheathem
I can't express how happy I am to open this box today.
The Limits of Revolution: Worker Citizens in a Bolivian Mining City, out March 10 from @utexaspress.bsky.social
You can pre-order now!
utpress.utexas.edu/9781477333297/ #skystorians #bolivia #mining #laborhistory #miningfamilies🗄️📁🗃️
The Limits of Revolution: Worker Citizens in a Bolivian Mining City, out March 10 from @utexaspress.bsky.social
You can pre-order now!
utpress.utexas.edu/9781477333297/ #skystorians #bolivia #mining #laborhistory #miningfamilies🗄️📁🗃️
February 11, 2026 at 2:27 PM
I can't express how happy I am to open this box today.
The Limits of Revolution: Worker Citizens in a Bolivian Mining City, out March 10 from @utexaspress.bsky.social
You can pre-order now!
utpress.utexas.edu/9781477333297/ #skystorians #bolivia #mining #laborhistory #miningfamilies🗄️📁🗃️
The Limits of Revolution: Worker Citizens in a Bolivian Mining City, out March 10 from @utexaspress.bsky.social
You can pre-order now!
utpress.utexas.edu/9781477333297/ #skystorians #bolivia #mining #laborhistory #miningfamilies🗄️📁🗃️
Reposted by Mark R. Cheathem
I know some people are embarrassed about promoting the release of a new book, but don't think of it as simply the product of your own mind and effort. Think about all the people at your publisher, who have invested their time and talent into producing your book. Celebrate what is a team effort.
February 11, 2026 at 12:38 PM
I know some people are embarrassed about promoting the release of a new book, but don't think of it as simply the product of your own mind and effort. Think about all the people at your publisher, who have invested their time and talent into producing your book. Celebrate what is a team effort.
Reposted by Mark R. Cheathem
Research/Technology question: Does anyone know of software I can use to create a digital version of this conspiracy chart? Ideally free or cheap software? #History 🗃️
February 10, 2026 at 8:55 PM
Research/Technology question: Does anyone know of software I can use to create a digital version of this conspiracy chart? Ideally free or cheap software? #History 🗃️
Reposted by Mark R. Cheathem
Yes, I'll be flooding my feed with announcements. Sorry!
Please click the "Notify me on Launch" button on our prelaunch page!
www.kickstarter.com/projects/lee...
Please click the "Notify me on Launch" button on our prelaunch page!
www.kickstarter.com/projects/lee...
Coming soon: Hogan's Heroes and Post War America
An 8-episode documentary video pod about the making of the show, the actors' lives, American history, and learning to laugh at Nazis
www.kickstarter.com
February 10, 2026 at 3:06 PM
Yes, I'll be flooding my feed with announcements. Sorry!
Please click the "Notify me on Launch" button on our prelaunch page!
www.kickstarter.com/projects/lee...
Please click the "Notify me on Launch" button on our prelaunch page!
www.kickstarter.com/projects/lee...
Reposted by Mark R. Cheathem
Hi, folks. I’m looking for at least one more person to create a panel for AHA 2027. I have a working paper on the legacies of the Indian slave trade in the 20th and 21st centuries and I’m working with someone who is focusing on slave patrols and the Southern system. Anyone interested? #historians
February 9, 2026 at 6:54 PM
Hi, folks. I’m looking for at least one more person to create a panel for AHA 2027. I have a working paper on the legacies of the Indian slave trade in the 20th and 21st centuries and I’m working with someone who is focusing on slave patrols and the Southern system. Anyone interested? #historians
Reposted by Mark R. Cheathem
I'm convinced AI is our generation's radium - a discovery with genuinely useful applications in specific, controlled circumstances that we stupidly put in everything from kid's toys to toothpaste until we realised the harm far too late where future generations will ask if we were out of our minds.
February 8, 2026 at 10:23 PM
I'm convinced AI is our generation's radium - a discovery with genuinely useful applications in specific, controlled circumstances that we stupidly put in everything from kid's toys to toothpaste until we realised the harm far too late where future generations will ask if we were out of our minds.
Reposted by Mark R. Cheathem
Friends, where do people post CFP these days? I've used H-Net. The fall of twitter history means it's much harder to reach people these days! I've had quite a few great abstracts for the below but I feel like I should be reaching more folks.
I've had a number of exciting abstracts for the Nostalgia and Radical Politics, Past and Present conference but I've decided to EXTEND the deadline to 22 Feb, as I'm away the prior week so won't be reviewing apps then! www.northampton.ac.uk/research-blo... Please share. Ask Qs below! 🗃️
Call For Papers: Nostalgia and Radical Politics, Past and Present | UON
Centre for Historical Studies, University of Northampton, UK Monday 15 – Tuesday 16 June 2026 CFP deadline extended to 22 February...
www.northampton.ac.uk
February 9, 2026 at 1:56 PM
Friends, where do people post CFP these days? I've used H-Net. The fall of twitter history means it's much harder to reach people these days! I've had quite a few great abstracts for the below but I feel like I should be reaching more folks.
Reposted by Mark R. Cheathem
Do any historians know what type of certificate would possibly be useful for a voter in a 1853 Connecticut election? It’s far too early for it to have been a birth certificate, and a naturalization certificate seems unlikely to be important for Whig voters after 1852.
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February 9, 2026 at 11:47 AM
Do any historians know what type of certificate would possibly be useful for a voter in a 1853 Connecticut election? It’s far too early for it to have been a birth certificate, and a naturalization certificate seems unlikely to be important for Whig voters after 1852.
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