Captivity Narratives

Controversies over animal captivity have recently roiled venerable amusement enterprises like SeaWorld and the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus. Yet many people are unaware of the deeper history of capturing and displaying large mammals, such as the beluga whales at P. T. Barnum’s American Museum in the 1860s. Amanda Bosworth reveals the context to these controversies: our changing relationship with captive animals.

Staff

Allison Miller, editor
Kritika Agarwal, associate editor, publications
Elyse Martin, associate editor, web content and social media
Zoë Jackson, editorial assistant
Liz Townsend, coordinator, data administration and integrity

Other Articles

The AHA Townhouse

April 2, 2018

From the Editor

Townhouse Notes, April 2018
Pencils on yellow background

April 2, 2018

From the President

Why Are You a Historian?
Light pink circles across pink and blue background

April 2, 2018

In Memoriam

Marvin L. Edwards (1915–2016)

April 30, 2018

Perspectives Daily

“We Came Here to Take the Bastille”

April 26, 2018

AHA Annual Meeting, Perspectives Daily

Experiments in Writing History
Spotlight on a dark background

April 24, 2018

Member Spotlight, Perspectives Daily

AHA Member Spotlight: Judy Connolly
A large clock tower overlooking a large white building

April 23, 2018

Perspectives Daily

Reimagining the History Survey Course
A painting of a colony

April 19, 2018

AHA Annual Meeting, Perspectives Daily

History Is Relevant Everywhere
Spotlight on a dark background

April 17, 2018

Member Spotlight, Perspectives Daily

AHA Member Spotlight: Jonathan Hancock
Students discuss Tim Liddy’s Circa Series during a tour of the collection at the Kansas City Chiefs football stadium.

April 16, 2018

Perspectives Daily

The Gallery and the Gridiron
A women with a drum and sunglasses marching through a crowd

April 12, 2018

Perspectives Daily

Can We Right the Past?
Spotlight on a dark background

April 10, 2018

Member Spotlight, Perspectives Daily

AHA Member Spotlight: Paula C. Austin
The Graduate in tan and orange writing

April 9, 2018

Perspectives Daily, The Graduate

Spring Cleaning Tip #1
Researchers standing in front of a colorful building that says "Radio Luswepo"

April 5, 2018

Perspectives Daily

Collaborative Historical Research
Spotlight on a dark background

April 3, 2018

Member Spotlight, Perspectives Daily

AHA Member Spotlight: Joshua Wright
A screenshot from ImaginePhD showing its various job families resources.

April 2, 2018

AHA Annual Meeting, Perspectives Daily

Exploring Career Possibilities with ImaginePhD
In an ambitious move, the American Historical Association has inaugurated AHAdvantageExpress, a bespoke credit card offer for AHA members. Hloom Templates/Flickr CC BY 2.0

April 1, 2018

Perspectives Daily

AHA Announces New Bespoke Credit Card for Members