ABOUT ME
My name is Joseph Fox, and I am a historian, educator, and public history practitioner with a deep commitment to preserving, interpreting, and sharing the stories that shape our collective past. I hold both a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree in History, with an emphasis in Higher Education, and I am currently completing a second Master’s degree in Public History and Heritage. I am also a proud U.S. Army veteran, an experience that instilled in me a strong sense of service, discipline, and responsibility to the communities I serve through historical work.
My primary areas of interest include American History, Appalachian studies, African American genealogy, oral history, and digital public history. Much of my work focuses on recovering and elevating the voices of individuals and communities that have too often been marginalized in traditional historical narratives. Whether I am researching coalfield labor communities, tracing family lineages through archival records, or developing digital storytelling projects, my goal is always to make history accessible, meaningful, and relevant to contemporary audiences.
This blog serves as a platform where academic research meets public storytelling. Here, I share essays, research discoveries, genealogical insights, cultural commentary, and reflections on museums, heritage preservation, and cultural tourism. I believe history is not merely something to be studied—it is something to be experienced, questioned, and actively engaged with.
I am deeply involved in local heritage and preservation efforts, working with historical societies, community organizations, and public events to promote place-based learning and historical awareness. Through this work, I strive to connect people to the landscapes, traditions, and lived experiences that define our regional and national identity.
Ultimately, this blog exists to explore how the past continues to shape the present—and how thoughtful, ethical public history can help us better understand who we are and where we are going.
Welcome, and thank you for being part of the journey.
Joseph Fox | Historian
THE APPALACHIAN HISTORIAN 