Abstract
Public historians have long been putting history to work in meaningful ways, cultivating collaborative opportunities, building partnerships, and engaging with the public. In times of economic uncertainty, communicating the relevance of history and the work of historians is more important than ever. This article suggests ways to apply marketing communication principles to connect public historians with their audience. This article is a revised version of the presidential address delivered March 13, 2010 at the National Council on Public History's annual meeting in Portland, Oregon. Marking the thirtieth anniversary of the incorporation of NCPH, it recaps the origins and evolution of the organization over three decades, and proposes an action plan for its growth into the future.