The History Press: Unearthing America’s Local Stories
In an era dominated by bestsellers and celebrity memoirs, a publishing house quietly champions the unsung narratives of America’s towns and communities. The History Press, a 20-year-old imprint now part of Arcadia Publishing, has carved out a unique niche: bringing deeply local, often intensely personal, histories to print. From the haunted locales of Stephen King’s Maine to the vibrant history of New Jersey diners, this publisher believes every corner of the U.S. holds a compelling story waiting to be told.
From Blog to Bestseller: The Stephen King’s Maine Journey
The journey of “Stephen King’s Maine,” a 2024 publication by writer Sharon Kitchens, perfectly encapsulates The History Press’s ethos. Kitchens, driven by a profound understanding of King’s works and the real-life inspirations behind his fictional worlds like “IT” and “Salem’s Lot,” meticulously mapped these locations. What began as an “amateur hour” online map attracting over 27,000 visitors organically evolved into her debut book. This successful transition, which has already sold approximately 8,500 copies, even garnered an unexpected thumbs-up from Stephen King himself on Instagram, a testament to its authentic appeal.
A Unique Publishing Model for Hyper-Local Content
Unlike mainstream publishers, The History Press operates on a model designed for hyper-local content. It churns out hundreds of titles annually, each typically under 200 pages, richly illustrated with archival photos or author-contributed images. These books are found not just in traditional bookstores but also in museums, hotels, and tourist destinations, directly engaging with the communities they chronicle. Authors are compensated through royalties, reflecting the publisher’s low-cost, high-volume approach. While not often generating national headlines, these works achieve sustained sales, with some editions like Lloyd Arneach’s “Long-Ago Stories of the Eastern Cherokee,” Alphonso Brown’s “A Gullah Guide to Charleston,” and Gayle Soucek’s “Marshall Field’s” selling 15,000 copies or more.
Meet the Authors: Diverse Voices, Local Stories
The authors themselves are as diverse as the subjects they cover — a mosaic of regional specialists, history enthusiasts, academics, retirees, and dedicated hobbyists. Their backgrounds range from Kitchens’ prior work in movie press releases and blogging to Clem C. Pellett, a former surgeon who became a private investigator to delve into the unsolved murder of his own grandfather, culminating in his book “Murder on Montana’s Hi-Line.”
Notable Works and Authors:
- Michael C. Gabriele’s “The History of Diners in New Jersey,” a culinary journey through a beloved local institution.
- Thomas Dresser’s “African Americans of Martha’s Vineyard,” preserving a vital part of the island’s heritage.
- Nancy K. Williams, a “Western history writer” from Boulder, Colorado, who has penned titles like “Buffalo Soldiers on the Colorado Frontier” and “Haunted Hotels of Southern Colorado.”
- Jerry Harrington’s tribute to a 1930s Pulitzer Prize-winning editor, “Crusading Iowa Journalist Verne Marshall.”
- The popular “Haunted” series, described by publishing director Kate Jenkins as a “highly localized version” of ghost stories, appealing to regional curiosities.
More Than History: Setting the Record Straight
For many History Press authors, the motivation extends beyond mere historical documentation; it’s about setting the record straight or offering closure. Rory O’Neill Schmitt, an Arizona-based researcher, felt her native New Orleans was often misrepresented as a “caricature” for tourists. Her response includes “The Haunted Guide to New Orleans” and “Kate Chopin in New Orleans,” aiming for a more authentic portrayal.
Perhaps one of the most poignant examples is Brianne Turczynski’s “Detroit’s Lost Poletown: The Little Neighborhood That Touched a Nation,” published in 2021. Turczynski, obsessed with the Polish ethnic community that was tragically uprooted and dismantled in the 1980s through eminent domain for a General Motors plant, sought to provide the closure she felt previous journalistic accounts lacked. “My book is a love letter to that community,” she states, “an attempt for closure.”
From Blog to Book Deal: Michelle Souliere’s Story
Michelle Souliere, owner of Portland’s Green Hand Bookstore and author of “Strange Maine: True Tales from the Pine Tree State” (2010), also began her publishing journey online. Her blog, “Strange Maine,” which she maintained for about four years, caught the eye of The History Press, leading to her book deal. These authors embody the publisher’s ideal: not someone with national reach, but a passionate community member dedicated to preserving their local history.
Conclusion: Preserving America’s Diverse Heritage
From tracking Stephen King’s literary landscapes to meticulously detailing forgotten neighborhoods, The History Press serves as a vital conduit for American local history. By empowering passionate individuals to share their deep-seated knowledge, the imprint ensures that the unique stories, figures, and events that shape the nation’s diverse communities are not lost to time but rather celebrated and made accessible for generations to come.
