On August 31, 2023, Elena Pol and Mikel Asensio presented the Making Histories project to their colleagues at the Center for Restorative History at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of American History.

The problems of restitutive, restorative or reparative History and the plans for the de-colonization of the exhibitions of History museums were reviewed: the lack of alternative master narratives sufficiently recognized and with sufficient academic weight in which to support the restitutive scripts; the impact on the reception of alternative narratives and restitutive practices by visitors; Although the collections are loaded with signifiers of the mentality of the time (therefore closer to colonial readings), the polysemy of material culture often allows for alternative approaches; the intervention strategies generally use cross-sectional readings of the central themes of the collections, making it possible to locate ‘cutting gaps’ and ‘key pieces’, on which to assemble the exhibition scripts; and, last but not least, the difficulties of establishing spaces for participation that are usually complex to manage or not always desired by visitors.

The MakingHistories project (https://histandmem.com) was announced and possible ways of collaboration were explored.