Placing Labor History

Abstract

“Placing Labor History” provides a foundation for integrating place-based history into the field of labor history. Through a close examination of places and spaces relating to the history of labor in the United States, this project examines how actors in labor history have used places and public spaces to challenge social, cultural, and political norms. It also illustrates how spaces actively shaped key events in labor history and how the public nature of certain spaces enabled different actors to participate in labor struggles. Finally, it explores how a place-based approach can be instrumental in facilitating the public commemoration of oppositional history.