Our Purpose

Unearthing the Past, Igniting the Future: U.S. History Scene

History isn’t just dusty books anymore. Founded in 2011 by Harvard-trained historians, U.S. History Scene revolutionizes history education. We connect students and educators with premier digital resources, crafting live digital curricula, and delivering cutting-edge historical scholarship from experts at over 50 universities.

Our Mission

To democratize American history. To close the achievement gap. To make U.S. history captivating, relevant, and accessible to everyone—especially those who need it most. We harness the power of open-source technology to transform the way students engage with the past, making learning intuitive and, dare we say, fun!

Think of us as your digital time machine, but without the risk of paradoxes (probably).

What We Offer

• Hand-picked, historian-approved digital resources that won’t break the bank (or your school’s budget) because everything is 100% free.
• Cutting-edge research from top universities, ready to ignite your classroom written in accessible ways
• Dozens of lesson plans and syllabi ready to be slotted into your curriculum
• Multimedia storytelling that speaks to today’s digital natives, turning history into an interactive adventure.
• Curriculum that’s relevant and pluralistic, reflecting the diverse tapestry of American history.
• Diversity and Inclusion are not just buzzwords, it’s our standard. Our diverse team of experts are united in a common goal: to promote equity in educational outcomes and promote American history .

Why It Matters

• Only 12% of U.S. high school seniors are proficient in history. We’re here to change that, one engaging lesson at a time.
• We empower students. Our resources spark critical thinking, improve reading comprehension, and sharpen writing skills.
• We empower teachers with content that enhances their curriculum and makes a difference for their students.
• We champion accessibility. We provide resources for economically challenged students and learners with intellectual disabilities.

Our Impact

• Empowering Educators. Empowering students: Over 20,000 public schools nationwide use our resources for free, enriching the learning experiences of countless students.
• Inspiring Lifelong Learners: Our 250,000 newsletter subscribers and a growing audience engage with our content, proving that history can be entertaining and relevant.
• Shaping the National Conversation: Our work has been used and cited by major media outlets like CNN and MSNBC; journalists at The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Atlantic; all of the top history journals from the American Historical Review to the Journal of American History, and even a Supreme Court amicus brief. No big deal!

Join the Scene

Ready to experience history like never before? Explore U.S. History Scene and discover a world of dynamic learning. We’re not just teaching history; we’re shaping the future. We’ve been featured by the New York Times, the Washington Post, Smithsonian Magazine, CNN, and even an amicus brief to the Supreme Court! (No big deal.)

Executive Board 

Dr. Rhae Lynn Barnes, Co-Founder, CEO: Historian, Storyteller, and Time Traveler 

Dr. Rhae Lynn Barnes is an Assistant Professor at Princeton University, a historian, public speaker, writer, onscreen commenter, consultant, and researcher specializing in the globalization of American culture, New York City history, and the multicultural American West. She’s taught History; Women, Gender & Sexuality; African American Studies; and Digital Humanities at Harvard University, UC Berkeley, the University of Southern California, Stanford University, and Princeton University.

From Magic Kingdom to Tragic Kingdom

Growing up in Anaheim, California, Rhae Lynn Barnes’s childhood was split between the “Magic Kingdom” (Disneyland) and the “Tragic Kingdom” (as dubbed by No Doubt). This unique upbringing fueled her intellectual obsession with history and the cultural memory of race, gender, and sexuality in the American psyche.

The Power of Storytelling

Raised in a working-class family that believed in the transformative power of art, music, and writing, Rhae Lynn Barnes pursued her passion for history. She received her B.A. in History at U.C. Berkeley, where she was inspired to “tell the truth, fight the power, and get paid to listen to Rock ‘n’ Roll.” She then journeyed to the hallowed halls of Harvard University, where she earned her Ph.D.

A Historian’s Journey

Dr. Barnes has held prestigious fellowships at USC’s Society of Fellows and the Bard Graduate Center. She was also elected President of the Council of the Andrew W. Mellon Society of Fellows in Critical Bibliography. Her impressive body of work includes multiple books, such as American Contact: Intercultural Encounters and the Boundaries of Book History, Roe v. Wade: Fifty Years After, and After Life: A Collective History of Loss and Redemption in Pandemic America.

Unmasking the Past

Her groundbreaking first book, Darkology: When the American Dream Wore Blackface, delves into the hidden history of amateur blackface, exposing its pervasive presence in American culture. This important work has received funding from prestigious institutions such as the Library of Congress, the National Endowment for the Humanities, and the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.

Bringing History to Life

Dr. Barnes has also served as an Executive Advisor on Henry Louis Gates Jr.’s documentary series “Reconstruction and the Rise of Jim Crow” and the award-winning “Black History in Two Minutes” series.

Join the Journey

With her infectious enthusiasm and passion for storytelling, Dr. Rhae Lynn Barnes will make you fall in love with American history. She loves a good challenge!

When not catching a concert or a show, you can find her on an epic quest to visit every National Park in this great land. It’s research, it’s adventure, it’s…a whole lot of walking!

E-mail: RLBarnes [@] USHistoryScene.com

Jenni Ostwinkle Silva, Co-Founder, Executive Editor, Actual Cowgirl 

Jenni Ostwinkle Silva is the Executive Editor at U.S. History Scene and a Communications and Training Program Manager with a passion for history, writing, agriculture, and education. She is committed to telling stories in a way that is relevant, interesting, honest, and alive.

Jenni grew up on a dairy farm outside of Worthington, Iowa, population 401 (if you don’t count the cows). She received her B.A. and M.A. in History and History Education from the University of Northern Iowa, but they say you have to leave home to really know it, so she left the actual “Field of Dreams” to study agricultural and social history at Harvard where she scored her second Masters Degree. (“What, like it’s hard?”)

With a background in history, agriculture, and education, Jenni is uniquely qualified to tell stories that are both informative and engaging. She is also a skilled communicator and facilitator, with a proven track record of success in project management, warm mentorship, and team building.

Outside of her work, Jenni enjoys spending time with her family and friends, exploring new places, and learning new things. She is also an avid reader and writer, and she enjoys sharing her love of history and agriculture with others. And, because you can’t take the girl off of the farm, she still occasionally milks cows.

E-mail: Jenni [@] USHistoryScene.com

Disclaimer

U.S. History Scene links to videos already accessible online. If you believe that you are the owner of copyrighted material and would like it removed from our site, please contact us at editors@ushistoryscene.com.