After spending the day at Steamtown yesterday, it got me thinking about the designation of historian. What does one have to do to obtain that credential? I'm assuming it would be some sort of degree in history pertaining to your interest. What does your museum/organization recognize as truely a historian vs. pulling information out of you know where?

Anyone can call themselves a historian just as someone can take the title of artist, photographer, bicyclist, camper, hiker, model railroader, or street-corner philosopher.

Tom -

Right! I consider myself a "Railroad Preservationist". Don't know if that term is used by anyone else, but I think that it fits many of those who are on this website. Others might use the term "Railroad Historian" and I have no problem with that term either. It's what you think of yourself that matters.

Les

Pat McKnight holds the title of historian at Steamtown and has for several years. He has at least an undergraduate degree in history. I fail to remember from what university. Pat claims not to be a railfan, but historian who works in railroad history.

An internet search resulted in this, "R. Patrick 'Pat' McKnight is the park historian and archivist for Steamtown National Historic Site".

I think there was also an "Exhibit Specialist" from Steamtown posting here too.