Administrative and Corporate History

By helping managers, staff, and stakeholders understand their past, our administrative and corporate histories enhance a company’s ability to address issues, evaluate and develop policy, formulate strategic plans, and direct change.

Starting with clear prose and compelling illustrations, these histories take many shapes. From books and brochures to video documentaries, websites, and interpretive exhibits, we find the right media to most effectively tell each story

Our services include:

  • Research in agency/company records and archives
  • Oral history interviews and transcription
  • Historical analysis and report writing
  • Records management
  • Development of brochures, pamphlets, website and social media content, museum exhibits, and documentary films.

Featured Members

Featured Projects

Administrative History of Jewel Cave National Monument

For the National Park Service (NPS), HRA completed A Small Cave No More: An Administrative History of Jewel Cave National Monument, South Dakota. This detailed history tells the story of how the U.S. Forest Service and the National Park Service have managed Jewel Cave National Monument over the past 100 years.

History of the Far East District

For the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, HRA prepared an illustrated history titled Building Strong in Korea: A History of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Far East District. The manuscript covers the period 1957–2017 and traces the emergence of the Far East District following the Korean War and through numerous geopolitical changes, placed within the context of the Cold War and Korea’s own political and economic history.

Portland District History Update

HRA prepared a comprehensive, updated history of the Portland District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers titled Engineering in the Twenty-First Century: A History of the Portland District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, 2000–2015. The history examines the work of the District in the twenty-first century and covers such topics as environmental mitigation, maintenance of aging infrastructure and hydroelectric projects, navigation, and technological changes.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Baltimore District History Update

HRA historians researched and wrote a 200-page administrative history update of the US Army Corps of Engineers, Baltimore District, covering the years 1974 to 2008. The history explained the district’s transformation from its early focus on flood control and transportation improvement to its emerging environmental missions, such as ecosystem restoration and cleanup of formerly used defense sites.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Southern Florida and the Everglades Water Management History

In 2004, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers selected HRA to research and write a history of water management in South Florida and the Everglades. In 2010, the Corps asked HRA to add an epilogue covering the recent implementation of the Central Everglades Restoration Plan. Publication of River of Interests: Water Management in South Florida and the Everglades, 1948–2010, occurred in 2011.

U.S. Army Residential Communities Initiative Administrative History

In 2006, the U.S. Army hired HRA to conduct oral history interviews, perform research, and write a book detailing the history of the Army’s momentous Residential Communities Initiative (RCI) Program. The Army tasked HRA with collecting and telling the story of the pioneering privatization program to improve quality of life for soldiers and their families. The interviews became source material for writing Privatizing Military Family Housing: A History of the U.S. Army’s Residential Communities Initiative, 1995–2010.

 

Historical Research

Books and Published Materials

HRA writes book length manuscripts suitable for a wide variety of audiences, from academics to the general public.

Interpretive Planning and Exhibit Development

HRA provides research, writing, layout, and design for various forms of interpretive content and exhibits.

Land Use Histories

HRA historians provide public and private clients with research, analysis, and reports to explain the land use histories of specific sites. These include public and private…

Oral History

HRA conducts oral history interviews with a wide range of participants, from technical staff to tribal representatives.