Putting the past in place: meetings with local archives in history education

This study investigates how an intervention in place-based history education can be planned and implemented by history teachers and staff from cultural heritage institutions at a local archive. Through a single case study, the planning, implementation and post-processing of the participating teachers and heritage actors are analysed using interviews and observations. The results show that place-based history education can link history education with the resources of cultural heritage institutions, such as archives, and can promote local history. Logistical challenges for teachers constitute significant obstacles to collaboration between schools and cultural heritage institutions, while school digitisation policies limit the use of physical sources in history education. The study also reveals that experienced teachers adapt place-based history education differently based on their teaching strategies and motivations, with an eclectic teaching strategy being especially fruitful for collaborations with different actors within place-based history education. The research highlights the potential of place-based history education to enhance collaboration, revealing shared goals and fostering networks among teachers and cultural heritage actors by integrating local cultural heritage into history education. By addressing logistical barriers and adapting to various educational landscapes locally, history education can effectively utilise local archives in collaborations for pedagogical outcomes.