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Hannah Byrne

Hannah Byrne is a public historian working in the Institutional History Division in the Smithsonian Libraries and Archives. She helps manage the Smithsonian Oral History Program, conducts research on the history of the Smithsonian, provides reference for researchers, and works on public projects related to the history of the Institution. She holds a Master's degree in public history from American University.

Stories from this author

Elisa Hough interviews Dennis Zotigh (Kiowa/San Juan Pueblo/Santee Dakota), a cultural specialist at the National Museum of the American Indian. (Daniel Martinez, Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage, Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives.)

Learning through Listening

The pandemic has provided the rare opportunity for many of us to slow down and listen to the world around us. At the Smithsonian, listening is an essential part of our work. Listening to individuals, communities, and organizations helps us better understand and serve the public as well as document and preserve our nation’s history.