HIST 397: Topics in Public History

HIST 397-001: Mason Legacies
(Spring 2026)

04:30 PM to 07:10 PM W

Innovation Hall 316

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Section Information for Spring 2026

This course is both a contribution to the university's Mason Legacies initiative and an introduction to the social history of northern Virginia in post-revolutionary era. Students will transcribe and annotate sections of a ledger that belonged to Stevens Thomson Mason (1760-1803), nephew of George Mason IV of Gunston Hall (the famous George), and his son Armistead Thomson Mason (1787-1819) and research and write biographical sketches of people mentioned in the account book. These people included men and women, free and enslaved, merchants and farmers, who lived in northern Virginia and beyond. Students' work will be published as part of the Mason Family Account Book project, which is a born-digital work-in-progress that is accessible to the public.

For permission to register please email Cindy Kierner at ckierner@gmu.edu.

Course Information from the University Catalog

Credits: 3

Introduces students to issues and methods in preserving history and presenting historical information to a variety of audiences through museum exhibits, websites, public commemorations, and other means. Offered by History & Art History. May be repeated within the term for a maximum 9 credits.
Specialized Designation: Topic Varies
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.

The University Catalog is the authoritative source for information on courses. The Schedule of Classes is the authoritative source for information on classes scheduled for this semester. See the Schedule for the most up-to-date information and see Patriot web to register for classes.