7 Questions with Denny Kato, Researcher and Educator on the subject of Japanese-American Incarceration Camps of WWII

Born and raised in Cincinnati, OH, Denny graduated from Walnut Hills High School, and received

his BA from the University of Cincinnati. Denny was on active duty with the US Army as a 1LT in

military intelligence. Denny was involved with restaurant management for nearly thirty years.

For twelve years, Denny has been researching the history and events of the Japanese relocation

and the incarceration camps in WWII. He and his wife Janet have visited all ten major camp

locations doing this research project.

Over the past seven years, Denny has been giving lectures on the history of the camps,

nationwide via ZOOM for OLLI (Osher Lifelong Learning Institute) for twenty-eight or so campus

locations. Additionally, he has given live presentations for several venues, notably the Harriet

Beecher Stowe House, the Art Institute of Cincinnati, and the Japan America Society. Most

recently he gave a presentation for a class at the University of Florida, in Gainesville. He has

also been the subject of several video profiles, articles, and radio interviews.  (Facebook Page )

1. How and when did you get  hooked on history?

I have always been a history buff.  My major in college was political science and I really emphasized foreign relations and I took a lot of courses regarding Asian studies and the Middle East.  

2. What role does history play or has it played in your personal life?

From a personal view, I have always been fascinated with history as I marvel at what humankind has accomplished but am revolted and repulsed by the human atrocities that man has afflicted on their fellow human beings.  There have been so many millions killed by men for various reasons, none good.

3. How does history play  a part of your professional life/career?

Professionally,  history did not play much of a role.  I was in restaurant management for nearly thirty years and just about everything we did was focused on today and just a little to the future.  History was not a subject that came up very often in our conversations.

4. Why is studying/knowing history important?

 I personally look upon history not only as a reminder of human events, but also as a window to the future. To paraphrase Shakespeare, "What's past is prologue."  

5. What is your favorite period or aspect of history to learn about and why?

American history has always been my favorite genre particularly the Civil War.  Although not an expert by any means of the events that occurred, I have always been drawn to the battlefields and the tactical/strategic aspects of the encounters.  My wife is very sensitive to 'spirits' and once on trip to Washington, D.C. we passed a road and sign that indicated directions to the site of the Fredericksburg battle.  She was sound asleep but suddenly awakened and she said she felt a 'chill' of spirits.  I told her we had just passed by the Fredericksburg battle site.  She had no idea that we were near the battlefield site and I doubt if she even knew of its significance.

6.         What is your specific connection to Japanese-American incarceration camps and how do you explore that interest?

My personal connection to the incarceration camps is that I had seventeen members of my family incarcerated in three separate camps.  It has been only in the past twelve years that my involvement has intensified.  I had just retired and we had planned a trip out west, Yellowstone, the Grand Tetons and Cody, WY.  My wife Janet asked me if I would be interested in attending the Heart Mountain Pilgrimage, an annual event that brought together survivors, descendants and speakers to tour the camp and engage in discussion groups.  In one of those groups that my wife and I attended, the moderator began the discussion with, "So everyone has heard about the Ringle Report?"  I had no clue as to what she was talking about. The Ringle Report, I learned later, was a report compiled by a Lieutenant Commander Kenneth Ringle, USN, naval intelligence, who submitted his report on December 20, 1942 detailing that the Japanese in the US did not represent a threat to the national security of our country.  I was embarrassed that I knew so little about the Japanese incarceration.  My wife and then committed to visiting all ten locations (we did so over the next several years) and after years of neglect, I dedicated myself to finding out my families' involvement in the incarceration.  As I started to learn about my family, I was queried by an old high school classmate if I knew someone who could give a lecture to her art class on the Japanese relocation.  Although I had not developed a presentation, I told her that I would do so, thus began a new direction for me, giving presentations on the Japanese incarceration camps.  I have been giving lectures for about seven years.

Currently I am associated with twenty-eight OLLI organizations nationwide, including Dartmouth, Carnegie Mellon University, American University, Florida State University, and the University of Virginia to name a few.  I also have given in personal lectures for the Art Institute of Cincinnati, the Harriet Beecher Stowe House, Walnut Hills High School, several library branches, the Japan American Society of Greater Cincinnati, and the University of Florida.  Additionally, I have also been the subject of several video profiles and radio interviews.  So what started as a research project about my families' involvement, morphed into the lecture series that I conduct today.

7.       Why is it important to continue teaching and learning about Japanese-American incarceration?

I used to conclude my presentations with the phrase "NEVER AGAIN".  Unfortunately with current events, our slogan has become "NEVER AGAIN IS NOW". I think it is important to not only educate people with the past events involving the Japanese in WWII, but how we are facing the same circumstances with 'brown people' today.  Many of the laws that were used against the Japanese in 1942, notably the Alien Enemies Act and others, are currently employed by today's ICE and CBP.  For example, even though the McCarren-Walter Act of 1952 granted the Japanese immigrants a path to citizenship, a part of that law has been used by the Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, to deport an immigrant.  It is absolutely frightening to see the similarities of 1942 to today.

Bonus:  In 2022, Kato's wife and daughter published an award-winning children's novel, called Finding Moon Rabbit set at the Heart Mountain camp near Cody, Wyoming.  For more information, go here.

According to Kato:

  When my wife asked me to go to the Heart Mountain Pilgrimage twelve years ago, little did I know that she already had an idea for a story.  She had researched Estelle Peck Ishigo, the Caucasian wife of Arthur Ishigo and their ordeal at the Heart Mountain and had already written a story about a Japanese American girl and her life after camp. But she was working on a 'prequel', the story of a young Japanese American girl and her first year at Heart Mountain.  This historical novel introduces real life characters and stories that actually occurred in the camp.  She decided to involve our daughter Jennifer, an aspiring writer, to join her in this project.  Jan was having difficulty marketing the book because the publishing industry has long sought 'authentic voices' and as soon as they would see that my wife was Caucasian, the doors closed.  She ended up doing a hybrid publication, utilizing a publisher but most of the marketing and promotions we did ourselves.  Now she has two books awaiting publication this year from a mainstream publisher, Reycraft Books.

"Finding Moon Rabbit" is historical, in that information is provided about the incarceration itself.  Jan also uses headlines from the camp newspaper, the "Heart Mountain Sentinel" to start her chapters and provide a reference to the events that happened in the camp.  The middle grade book not only tells the story of a young girl in the camps, but also provides young readers with some history of the relocation and incarceration as well. 

 

7 Questions With Polita Glynn, Documentarian Filmmaker

 

Polita Glynn specializes in documentary filmmaking, screenwriting and creative storytelling focused on history, cultural diversity and environment. She received a State of Florida 1996 Individual Artists Fellowship in Media Arts, a 2015 Sundance Screenwriters Fellowship, a 2022 St. Pete Arts Alliance Artist grant and a 2023 Creative Pinellas Beyond Placemaking fellowship. Glynn has her B.A. in American Studies from Bennington College, Ed.M. from Harvard University Graduate School of Education, and studied film at the University of Miami School of Communication. Along with director and cinematographer Devin Rice, she has produced several documentaries about Florida history, including "Underground History.” For those interested in scheduling a screening or viewing the film can contact Polita Glynn through her website at www. merfolkmedia.org .  A trailer for the film can be viewed at https://merfolkmedia.org/underground-history  .

1. How and/or when did you get you hooked on history?

I think that I have always been drawn to the past and how it informs the present. Maybe

some of that was inspired by my father’s love of history, particularly the Civil War. He

had a whole library of history books in our house when I was growing up, and we would

look at those together. As an undergraduate, I majored in History and American Studies.

My thesis focused on an analysis of historical correspondence between generations of

Vermont families and how they adapted to changing values and culture. I find that I

always want to know about the history of a place and the stories of its people to deepen

my understanding and sense of place.

2. What role does history play or has it played in your personal life?

I am the daughter of a Peruvian immigrant and the granddaughter of Russian Jewish

immigrants. My mother’s family escaped the pogroms in Russia and went to Peru. My

father’s family immigrated to Boston. Their stories, and trying to learn more about my

ancestors, contributed to my interest in understanding history, heritage and ancestry. I

believe that we are all impacted by our own historical stories.

3. How is/How was history a part of your professional life/career?

When I finished my undergraduate degree at Bennington College, I wanted to work in

historical museum research and exhibit design. However, I soon realized there was very

little work in that area so I pivoted to the field of education. My work in Boston in

education addressed school desegregation and cross-cultural communication. I found

that these issues all draw on historical context. So, while not directly working in history

education, I recognized that understanding history was essential to creating a context

for social issues. My professional career took me in other directions, but now that I am

“retired” I have returned to history and my love of filmmaking, research and storytelling.

4. Why is studying/knowing history important?

In many places in the world, people strive to acknowledge the history of the land where

they reside. Known as land acknowledgement, this recognition identifies the past which

erased Indigenous people’s history and culture.  As a broader concept

acknowledgement can be a starting point in recognizing histories which have been

erased, ranging from ancient Indigenous people to contemporary displaced

communities. As someone who cares about social justice, I believe that a community

can develop a deeper sense of place and a better vision for the future through

increased awareness of its history and an expanded understanding of its past.

5. What is your favorite period or aspect of history to learn about and why?

Great question. I think I would like to answer this we a favorite quote:

“For millenniums, humans have told stories to connect, relate and weave imaginative

truths that enable us to see one another more clearly with compassion and courage...

When we do this, we tap into an ancient power that makes us, and the world, more of

who we are: a single race looking for reasons, searching for purpose, seeking to find

ourselves.” Amanda Gorman, Poet, New York Times interview. 12/8/22

6. How did you come to explore the subject of Tampa Bay’s “Underground

History” and what is the heart of the story that you tell in your film “Underground

History:  Exploring Erased Histories in the Tampa Bay Region”?

In St. Petersburg, we have layers and layers of history under our feet, ranging from

ancient to more recent times. When I moved from Miami to St. Pete in 2021, my

imagination was captured biking around the ‘Pink Streets’ and seeing the Pinellas Point

Mound. Who has an ancient Indigenous mound in the middle of a suburban

neighborhood? And were there more or how many were lost? What other histories were

erased and where can we find those stories? I wanted to peel back those layers and

explore that history, as well as amplify the voices of people working to illuminate the

past. I was particularly interested in acknowledging the erased stories that are

sometimes buried but still impact our present and influence the future.

7.       

 

7.  What other products has your company, Merfolk Media, produced?

Merfolk Media Alliance was formed in 2022 after I stepped down from my full-time

position as director of the Pew Fellows Program in Marine Conservation. Merfolk Media

is still a relatively young non-profit organization.  In additional to the Underground History documentary, Merfolk Media developed and produced ‘Underground History Visual Poetry,’ which blends place-based spoken word poetry with filmmaking, music and public outreach to present stories of erased histories in the St. Petersburg community and Tampa Bay region.

Merfolk Media recently produced and directed ‘The Brick Roads of St. Petersburg.’ This

short film focuses the history of brick roads, an iconic historic feature of the city. The film

mixes rich visual imagery of the city’s brick roads with archival images, old newspaper

articles, historic maps and animation. Community outreach is also an essential element of all my film projects. For each of these films, we have organized community screenings and strived to engage audiences in the stories and histories presented in the films.

7 Questions With Carter Lee Churchfield, Seattle Historic Tour Creator and Guide

     

    Carter Lee Churchfield is a veteran narrative historian with experience ranging from beneath the sidewalks of Seattle to the beaches of Honolulu. Currently she is giving a women's history tour about six tough ladies in Seattle's past. She will soon debut her new tour, A Racial History: How Seattle's Population Has Changed Over Time (1875-1950). For details on Carter's Seattle tours you can visit her website,  Tours by Carter. For special requests, her email is ToursByCarter@gmail.com.

1. How and when did you get  hooked on history?

I started out as an aspiring actress, as a summer gig I took a tour guide job in Seattle. I liked that there was no script, I could just learn about events and people and uncover the real drama like an archaeologist uncovers an artifact by brushing away the dirt. 

The reactions of my audiences told me I was giving them an experience that would linger. They laugh, sometimes they cry. But they leave with a sense of connection to our collective past. That is what thrills me. 

2. What role does history play or has it played in your personal life?

I originally moved to a historic neighborhood, Chinatown Honolulu, to create and give a WWII Red-Light Tour. What I quickly discovered was an untapped goldmine of history and a population eager to connect to their own past. I came for a selfish reason, I like telling stories, but what I found humbled me: An unfamiliar, complex culture that is directly affected by an assault on their way of life. People in Hawai`i have very strong emotions about the events that led to the islands coming under U.S. control. That is why I created a tour about the last queen and the overthrow. It was my love letter to the islands. 

3. How does history play  a part of your professional life/career?

Seeing as how I won my own little historical walking company, yes!  My dream is to one day offer enough tours that appeal to customers to make giving tours my only job.

4. Why is studying/knowing history important?

It's the same people a hundred years ago who expelled the Chinese from Seattle in a violent mob that are sending immigrants to illegal prisons in El Salvador today. It's the same people who overthrew the Hawaiian government that rioted on January 6th, 2021. It's the same people who repealed women's right to vote in Afghanistan in 1970 that are trying to change voting laws now. We need to be able to recognize them to better resist them.

5. What is your favorite period or aspect of history to learn about and why?

I like a good underdog story! People who subvert the intentions of an authority trying to keep them down. 

6.      How did you become a history tour operator? How did you go about crafting the Six Women of Seattle tour and choosing the particular women?

I was in Seattle and I needed an adventure after helping a loved one  pass from breast cancer. I went to Hawai`i and had some wonderful years delving into another culture and its history. My first tour there was about the red-light district in Honolulu during WWII. It was both hilarious and appalling! Most of the former brothels were still standing. I came back to Seattle in 2022 to marry my husband, a Seattleite. 

There are lots of tours already in Seattle and I wanted to say something no one else was saying. A women's history tour seemed like my best chance at that. 

 I originally was going to try to paint with very broad strokes but decided along the way that more personal narratives would make more of an impact. I found about thirty wonderful women I wanted to talk about but narrowed down to six due to location! These six women just happened to have the most to say to it was a remarkable coincidence that they are all tied to places within a few blocks of each other. 

7.       What do you hope your guests take away with them after their tours and what do the tours mean to you?

 When I give a tour I do my best to channel the woman I am talking about. I also share a part of myself. I hope my guests leave feeling a sense of connection and catharsis. These tours are my most loved creations. 

7 Questions with Dr. Barbara C.Cruz: Educator, Historian, and Author

 

Dr. Bárbara C. Cruz is Professor of Social Science Education in Tampa, Florida. She is a former

high school history teacher. Today, she works with both pre- and in-service social studies

teachers. Her current project involves the infusion of visual art in teaching social studies, an

offshoot of a Fulbright Global Scholar award she completed in Alicante, Spain.

1. How and when did you get hooked on history?

My high school American History teacher, Ms. Lani Dunthorn. She was passionate about her

subject and, before the term “individualized instruction” was used, employed exactly that

strategy. I remember being bored to tears by our classroom history textbook and not completing

the assigned readings. She offered me the option to read Margaret Mitchell’s Gone with the

Wind instead, with some ancillary research activities to determine what was fact and what was

fiction. Brilliant!

2. What role does history play, or has it played, in your personal life?

I am an immigrant from Cuba, coming to the U.S. in 1966 under the Immigration and Nationality

Act of 1965 signed into law by President Johnson. Like many immigrant kids, I served as both a

linguistic translator for my family as well as a cultural mediator. What I would learn in school, I

would later teach my parents at home. We became American citizens on July 4, 1976, the U.S.

Bicentennial. History is part and parcel of my and my family’s personal and professional

journeys.

3. How does history play a part of your professional life/career?

I earned a Bachelor’s in Social Studies Education from the University of Miami, followed by

Master’s and Doctoral degrees in Social Studies Education from Florida International University.

Each of these degrees focused on the curriculum and instruction of the social sciences, with

history at the core. My programs of study all required courses in history --- world, U.S., Latin

American --- and I have continued to weave these learnings in my work, both in the classroom

and in publications.

4. Why is studying/knowing history important?

People from all walks of life must know not only their own history, but that of others. How can we

be part of the human race without this knowledge?

5. What is your favorite period or aspect of history to learn about and why?

Such a tough choice to make! I guess I would have to say the U.S. Civil Rights Era. Although I

lived through it, I was a child at the time. I remember being confused by so many events and

people (especially since I was not yet fluent in English and my parents could not always help me

understand). So now, learning about that period helps me make sense of those memories and

brings me back full circle.

6.   Your “day job” is as a professor of social science education.  What are particular challenges

that you see facing your students in 2024 as future social studies teachers and how do you

prepare them to be great teachers?

The future (and current) social studies teachers I work with report so many distractions I never

had to face as a novice teacher. Social media and the rise of misinformation is a huge problem

among young people. I try to help teachers teach critical media literacy to their students.

Educators are also facing encroachment by politicians and community groups, resulting in harsh

curricular mandates that are not always in the best interests of students or teachers. I always

remind my students that ultimately, they are curricular and instructional gatekeepers,

professionals who have agency in their classrooms.

7.       Your books include a history of the Cuban sandwich and an award-winning children’s

biography of César Chávez.  What kinds of stories pique your interest as a researcher and

author?

I love the idea of revealing “hidden histories.” My first book for young people was a biography of

the Mexican artist Frida Kahlo. It’s hard to imagine now because she has become a cultural

icon, but when I started the research in 1994, she was little known in U.S. popular media. Since

then, I have written books for both young learners as well as teachers. My work also allows me

to explore and publish scholarly works on a wide variety of topics such as teaching English

language learners, the history of segregated beaches, using visual art to teach about social

issues, and the history of LGBTQ communities within the larger historical context.

The Cuban sandwich book has been a fun project and my co-authors and I thoroughly enjoy

introducing people to one of the hallmarks of my culture.

7 Questions WIth Eliza Knight, Historical Fiction Author

 

Eliza Knight is an award-winning, USA Today and international bestselling author. Eliza is an avid history buff and her love of history began as a young girl when she traipsed the halls of Versailles. She also writers women's contemporary fiction under the pseudonym, Michelle Brandon. Eliza is a member of the Historical Novel Society, Novelists, Inc., Women's Fiction Writing Association, Tall Poppy Writers, the creator of the popular historical blog, History Undressed, and host on the History, Books and Wine podcast. Knight lives in the sunshine state with her husband, three daughters, two dogs and a turtle. Her latest books are Can't We Be Friends, a collaboration with Denny S. Bryce, and The Queen's Faithful Companion.  Her website is https://elizaknight.com/  .

1. How and when did you get hooked on history?

As a child growing up, my father was a huge history buff. We lived near D.C. so spent weekends at museums, and watched a lot of documentaries at home. I was also very lucky to have grandparents who lived in France, so from an early age, I spent a lot of time at castles and French museums as well.

2. What role does history play or has it played in your personal life?

Beyond forging a career as a historical writer and podcaster, I love to spend time at historical sites and museums. I travel around the world learning about history just for fun, and I'm fortunate my family loves to join me.

3. How does history play a part of your professional life/career?

As an author, I get to spend all day in the past with events that really happened and sometimes with people who really lived. I love to bring history and people to life for readers. As a historical podcaster, I love to learn about people and events in history and talk about them with other authors and librarians.

4. Why is studying/knowing history important?

In order to grow as a person and as a society, we need to learn from our past. Learn what worked, and what didn't. Humans are very good at evolving, and without knowing the past, it is hard to reach newer and greater heights of achievement.

5. What is your favorite period or aspect of history to learn about and why?

Great question! I want to say that I don't really have a favorite period, because I'm interested in all of them! But I do love to learn about women in history who forged their paths and fought through adversity. Those are the stories I like to tell. Much of history was written by men, for men, and so the stories of the women are often lost, but are just as important to know.

6. In your opinion as an author and/or reader, what are the essential qualities of really good historical fiction? 

A really good historical fiction novel immerses you in the time and place. You feel like you're in the room where it's all happening, and rather than getting pulled out by paragraphs that feel like a historical lesson, you learn by experiencing the times and events with the characters. To me, a good historical fiction, is like time traveling.

7. As an author in search of stories to tell, what kinds of stories catch your attention? Are there common themes that run through your historical fiction?

I love stories of women who striving to achieve something. And they don't always win, but they do make an impact. I think a strong theme in my novels are independent women, but also friendships and interpersonal relationships. Whether I'm writing about mothers/daughters, sisters, friends, lovers, dogs, there is always that connection between people that I think is imperative to survival.

7 Questions with Robert Redd, Author and Florida Historian

Robert Redd lives in central Florida.  He earned a B.A. in American Studies from Stetson University and an M.A. in Public History from American Public University System. He previously served as the Executive Director for the New Smyrna Museum of History., and he is currently the Cultural Coordinator for Volusia County, Florida. He considers himself a regional historian with wide-ranging interests. As of November, 2023, he has written or co-written seven books about Florida history, with another on the way soon. His website is https://robertreddhistorian.com/ .

1. How and when did you get hooked on history?

I suppose the interest has always been there. It just took something to bring it out. One

summer while in college I worked in the college bookstore so I got to handle a lot of titles

and see what was being used in courses. From there, I chose my major, American

Studies.

2. What role does history play or has it played in your personal life?

A lot of my personal life revolves around my interest in history. My wife and my

honeymoon revolved around several locations steeped in history. While many folks seek

out beaches, theme parks, or all-inclusive resorts for vacations, we are looking for areas

with history we can explore, museums, areas with a cultural impact.

I seldom read fiction. I am usually reading history for research projects or personal

interest. Right now, my nightstand has books on Bloody Sunday, the American Civil War,

the donut in American history, and several journal articles for a project I am working on.

3. How does history play a part of your professional life/career?

For the last 10 years or so, history has been an important part of my professional life. I

served as Executive Director for a small community museum for four years before

moving into a role in county government.

4. Why is studying/knowing history important?

I think the study of history is often more important in a broader context rather than

knowing every field movement on a specific battlefield.

Knowing and understanding the past, which are two different things, can help us

understand the present and how we arrived here. The past can also help guide us

toward the future. We can understand patterns and trends that have repeated

themselves. Hopefully, in spotting trends, we can avoid those that have proven harmful

in the past.

By understanding the struggles, of say, African Americans and women in gaining the

right to vote, we can understand and hopefully address their concerns and anger as

voting rights cases make their way through the legal system.

The study of history also allows for students of any age to develop critical thinking skills.

They are better able to analyze information and determine its credibility. The ability to

independently think is something that seems to be disappearing in our world.

5. What is your favorite period or aspect of history to learn about and

why?

This actually becomes a difficult question. I suppose an overriding interest has been the

American Civil War. Living a far distance from most major battlefields however can put a

damper on that enthusiasm. For such study, being able to walk the fields is crucial in my

estimation.

A recent interest has become the 1972 Bloody Sunday massacre in Derry, Northern

Ireland. While that particular day is crucial in the study of the issue of Catholic civil rights

and the struggle for Irish independence, it leads to so much more and how did issues

come to such a head that day. What does that day, fifty years ago, mean to those still

living with the tragedy today.

Finally, having worked in a small community museum, I find it important on a local level,

to keep up with things happening in your community. The type questions I most often

received were about restaurants, hotels, other businesses, people, buildings, and roads.

These were things that people were asking about from their lifetime. They weren’t

usually asking about events from 100+ years ago. They were asking about things from

say the 1950s through the early 2000s. Are we doing a good job of preserving that type

of history so that in another 50 years when people are asking about things from their

childhood (you know, the good ole days,) we are able to answer? I think the answer is

often, no. The reply I often receive is, oh, it will be on the internet. Well, maybe.

6.        In addition to being an author, you serve as the Cultural

Coordinator of Volusia County Florida. What does that job entail exactly?

I do work for the County of Volusia, in Parks, Recreation, & Culture. As Cultural

Coordinator I work with the county Art in Public Places program. This program ensures

that new construction projects with a public element follow county ordinance in having a

very small percentage of their construction budget allocated to public art. The most

recent project has been a remodeling of Daytona International Airport and adding art to

their collection.

 

I monitor and oversee the county Community Cultural Grant program. This program

helps provide operating funding to qualified 501C organizations. This fiscal year the

county if proving funding to 30 culturally based (art, history, music, theatre, etc.)

organizations. These organizations submit applications which are vetted and scored by

the Cultural Council advisory board. I work closely with the Cultural Council throughout

the year and serve as their staff liaison.

I also handle grant writing for Parks. I often create a primary draft which Is then reviewed

and edited. I handle much of the grant reporting for awards we receive. The most recent

application I have completed involves replacing a deteriorating seawall that if not correct

could endanger boat ramp access to a popular body of water.

I work with other cultural initiatives the county may be involved in. I have helped create

historic markers, I respond to inquiries from the public, and “other duties as assigned.”

7.        Please tell us about a couple of your recent and/or upcoming

book projects?

My most recent book is titled Civil Rights in Florida. That is my seventh book published

with Arcadia/History Press. It covers stories such as Jackie Robinson, the 1955

Tallahassee Bus Boycott, woman’s suffrage in the state, and more.

In May 2024, my next book will be released. I am honored to be co-author with Dr. Nick

Wynne and Dr. Joe Knetsch on a book titled Florida in Flight: An Aviation History. This

will also be published by History Press and is an introduction to the history of flight in

Florida.

Currently, I am at work on a book tentatively titled Florida Scoundrels. This will probably

be released in early 2025. I’m about half way through it right now. It will tell the story of

some of the many “scoundrels” throughout Florida history. I plan to avoid the obvious

such as Aileen Wuornos, Casey Anthony, George Zimmerman, and the like. There’s too

easy in a way and people are tired of them.

 

7 Questions With "Katherine Sewing" - Historical Fashion and Hair Blogger

 

Katherine runs the Youtube channel, blog, and instagram "Katherine Sewing", where fllowers learn about historical hair care and hand made fashion.  She loves learning about history in a deep sense, not just what happened and why, but what other perspectives there are on that, and what it felt like to live and dress in historical times.  She enjoys examining how their perspectives differed from ours, and how we can apply that to understanding our cultural blind spots today. Her website is https://www.katherinesewing.com/ 

1. How and when did you get  hooked on history?

I have a love of history in my blood. My Dad built the home I grew up in with a Victorian design and used historical stone masonry techniques. The earliest drawings I remember making as young child were of women wearing historical dresses, or women from ancient Egypt. I got hooked on vintage style as a teenager, and later full blown historical fashion as well as hair care in my early twenties. I felt disenchanted with not only modern fashion and hair care, but also many modern ways of "doing life".

2. What role does history play or has it played in your personal life?

I love delving into historical solutions to my modern problems, such as historical clothing and hair care techniques. Myself and most of the members of my immediate family all have a love of history and historical aesthetics, that show up for us differently.

3. How does history play  a part of your professional life/career?

History is the inspiration for everything I create and the subjects I research. As a late teenage I got into professional oil portraiture, inspired by the historical masters. Now I create online content around interpreting historical sewing, dressing, and hair care into modern day life.

4. Why is studying/knowing history important?

Studying history is important because it is the only way to gain a more complete perspective of the way our world and life is today. This allows us to critically evaluate practices and ways of thinking which would otherwise be taken for granted. Thus, studying history gives us more freedom to craft our life and worldview in the way that serves us best, rather than mindlessly accepting current norms which may have already been proven unsuccessful (or otherwise unsuitable for us) by history.

5. What is your favorite period or aspect of history to learn about and why?

I love learning about historical fashion, hair care, and art. I also have a love for classical literature. I am attracted to all of these topics because I feel that more effort, time and thought were put into these (and other) areas throughout most of history, due to their different primary aims in the past. I believe they were led primarily by the pursuit of beauty and excellence, rather than utilitarian, mass production, or commercial aims. Especially when it comes to literature, I feel that I can relate and find more substance in historical literature. As a Christian, I am also of late enjoying studying early Church history to better understand my faith.

6.  What is "Katherine Sewing" and how did it come about?

 "Katherine Sewing" is the online enterprise I have created, that first began as an excuse to prioritize and film my historical fashion projects. It has now evolved into the primary income source for my family, and allows me to share my expertise and inspire others in the areas of historical hair care, aesthetics, and creativity.

7.  what do you hope followers of "Katherine Sewing" take away with them?

I hope followers of "Katherine Sewing" come away with a love for beauty, and a willingness to take the time to  achieve it. I also hope they come away with an ability to think critically about our current ways of dressing and  caring for ourselves. I also hope to inspire women that motherhood is not a death sentence to our creativity, but  can rather be a source of inspiration.