New Haven is known as a hotspot for pizza, but Michael Morand wants it to be known for something else as well: its historical archives. In April, Morand became the city鈥檚 official historian and hopes that one day, people all across the Elm City will know about its past.
鈥淥ur superpower includes our scale,鈥� Morand told 黑料吃瓜网鈥檚 鈥淒isrupted,鈥� citing the high concentration of archives, historic buildings, cemeteries and religious and community groups in the Elm City that care about their history.
In addition to being a historian, Morand is also director of community engagement for Yale's Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library. He believes the library can be 鈥渁 catalyst and a connector鈥� to help convert people 鈥渋nto active participants in history.鈥�
鈥淗aving this cool place that can reach so many people, that鈥檚 free and open seven days a week, has a lot of online and in-person programming, gives us an opportunity,鈥� he said.
Actively changing the present means being a student of the past, which is a process Morand likened to crafting a meal.
Historians must 鈥渂e the people who provide the ingredients for the cooks, and the cooks being the policy makers, politicians, activists, advocates, people who work and run institutions.鈥� In essence, historians should 鈥渕ake sure the cupboard is full so that people can do the right cooking and put the menu for the future out,鈥� he said.
Challenging and uncomfortable elements of history are often among the most important ingredients, and one way museums can help is through programming.
Morand worked on the New Haven Museum exhibit 鈥�,鈥� which is on view until March 2025 and explores Yale鈥檚 historical ties to slavery. He hopes the exhibit will show visitors that history does not end in the past.
鈥淗istory is not static,鈥� he said. 鈥淵ou can make history. Resistance is possible. Progress is possible.鈥�
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