Our
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Mission and Purpose
The Organization of Educational Historians (OEH) is a scholarly society dedicated to advancing the study and understanding of education’s past in order to inform its present and future. Its mission is to foster high-quality research and dialogue about the history of education in a welcoming, collaborative community of scholars. OEH brings together faculty, graduate students, and educators who share an interest in historical inquiry into education. The organization provides a supportive forum for these individuals to exchange ideas, present research findings, and engage in thoughtful discussions about how historical perspectives can enrich educational theory and practice.
In pursuit of its mission, OEH hosts an annual conference where members present papers, network, and learn from one another in an open, collegial atmosphere. The society also publishes the American Educational History Journal, a peer-reviewed academic journal that showcases research from a variety of disciplines and perspectives in the field of educational history. In addition, OEH sponsors a book series on the history of education and encourages mentorship through graduate student workshops and collaborative projects. Through these activities, the organization strives to nurture an inclusive scholarly community and inspire new generations of educational historians.
History and Evolution
Founded in 1965, OEH began as the Midwest History of Education Society (MHES), a regional gathering for historians of education in the Midwestern United States. The idea for the society was born when two professors – Kenneth Beasley of Northern Illinois University and Gerald Gutek of Loyola University Chicago – met at a conference in 1964 and recognized the need for a forum devoted to the history of education. They organized an initial meeting of interested scholars at Loyola University Chicago in the spring of 1965. About ten historians convened in a Loyola seminar room to share papers and ideas, and together they laid the groundwork for a new academic society. Later that year, the first annual meeting of the Midwest History of Education Society was held in Chicago, establishing a tradition of yearly conferences that would continue for decades.
In its early years, the society was a relatively informal association. It had a simple structure with three elected officers (President, Vice President/Program Chair, and Secretary) and operated without a detailed constitution or membership dues. The annual meetings—often held on Loyola’s campus each fall—were known for their warm and collegial spirit. Professors and graduate students from around the region would present research papers, engage in lively discussions, and socialize at an evening banquet. This informal, grassroots approach helped create a strong sense of community among scholars of educational history.
By the late 1980s, the organization’s membership and activities had grown beyond its midwestern roots. To support this growth, the society adopted a formal constitution and by-laws and began collecting membership dues for the first time. These changes professionalized the group’s operations while preserving its open and welcoming ethos. In 2002, the longstanding practice of publishing conference proceedings evolved into the launch of a full peer-reviewed journal – the American Educational History Journal – which became the official journal of the society. This development provided a wider platform for members’ scholarship and further enhanced the organization’s reach and impact.
As the community of educational historians became more geographically diverse, the name Midwest History of Education Society no longer reflected the organization’s broader scope. In 2008, the membership voted to change the society’s name to the Organization of Educational Historians (OEH), signaling its evolution into a national (and increasingly international) body of scholars. Under the new name, OEH continued its tradition of annual conferences and expanded its efforts to connect historians of education across regions and countries.
Today, with a proud history spanning nearly six decades, the Organization of Educational Historians remains true to its founding spirit. It has grown from a small regional meeting into a vibrant, inclusive scholarly society that welcomes members from across the United States and beyond. Throughout its evolution, OEH has maintained a strong sense of community and intellectual curiosity. The organization’s historical journey – from its modest beginnings in 1965 to its present-day role – reflects a continual commitment to understanding education in context and to supporting those who study it. This rich legacy guides OEH’s ongoing mission of promoting research, conversation, and camaraderie in the field of educational history.