Joseph Obidzinski
jobidzin@mix.wvu.edu
M.A. Student
Major Field: Public History
Other Fields: American Civil War & Nineteenth Century American History
Advisor: Peter Carmichael
Research Interests: It has long been my desire to focus on the study of preservation and interpretation of Civil War sites. I intend to rely upon my undergraduate training which I received at Grand Valley State University and also from my various internships; specifically my internship at the Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park in the summer of 2007 as a basis for the training which I will be exposed to at West Virginia University. This summer (2008) I worked as a seasonal historian at Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania. Such a position has allowed me a greater insight into the field of interpretation and continued experience in this field. I intend to study new and evolving research regarding interpretation and preservation of Civil War sites so as to understand how these can be integrated into traditional interpretation and preservation efforts. By doing this, we can create opportunities for future generations of people to appreciate this history. My opinion is that by studying successes in the fields of preservation and interpretation, we can utilize innovative ideas, based on these successes, which will foster similar successful efforts in the future.
