About Robin Van Auken

Robin Van Auken, the CEO of Hands-on Heritage, is a seasoned writer and researcher with more than 40 years of experience conducting interviews and crafting compelling narratives. She has earned advanced degrees in Communications and Anthropology, specializing in Public and Historical Archaeology, particularly in the context of Military and Industrial Sites. With a portfolio of over a dozen books on regional history as both an author and co-author, she has left a lasting impact on the field. Robin's previous roles include serving as a college instructor and leading long-term historical and archaeological projects. Through these endeavors, she has worked alongside numerous volunteers and temporary staff, while also imparting knowledge to thousands of visitors.
Robin is a writer and researcher, with 35+ years experience interviewing people and telling stories. Her educational background combines advanced degrees in Communications and Anthropology, with a focus on Public and Historical (Military/Industrial Sites) Archaeology.

Heritage Downloads

My History Is America's History This free eBook, "My History Is America's History: 15 Things You Can Do to Save America's Stories," is a guidebook to help families and individuals to explore family history and discover how our own family stories connect to the history of our nation. CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE PDF (LARGE

2020-09-19T17:31:30-04:00By |Robin Van Auken|

Public Archaeology

Public Archaeology As a historical archaeologist, I work with museums and non-profit organizations, colleges and universities, public and private schools, and avocational archaeology groups.  Services I offer include: Field trips Field schools Hands-on heritage programs Historical research, oral histories Ethnographic research and interviews Interpretive exhibit, video development National Register assessments, nominations Testing, data

2018-07-14T15:40:08-04:00By |Robin Van Auken|

Why I Use WordPress and Why You Should Too

I use Wordpress for all of my websites, and all of my college students create one during their time earning their Media Writing minor. Perhaps you want to use WordPress but you're not sure how to go about it? A LITTLE BACKGROUND ON WORDPRESS WordPress is a popular Content Management System (CMS) used by companies, large

Use Google Apps for Increasing Productivity

If you're not using Google, then you need to consider all that this amazing company has to offer. Most amazing of all is that it is free, open-source and easy to use. There are literally hundreds of How-To videos available online for everything Google has to offer, so there's no excuse why you can't learn

Geocaching at Little Pine State Park

We enjoyed finding our first geocache on our first camping outing. Geocaching is a real-world, outdoor adventure that is happening all the time, all around the world. To play, participants use the Geocaching app and/or a GPS device to navigate to cleverly hidden containers called geocaches. Try geocaching at Little Pine State Park.

Travel Writing: A Good Writer is a Good Observer

If you're into travel writing, then you had better be paying attention. Not to this article—although it contains helpful advice for gathering intel during your next trip. You need to pay attention to everything and everyone and everywhere while you're abroad because you never know what, who, or where will become fodder for a feature.

The Man Who Invented the Future: Jules Verne’s Legacy

The Man Who Invented the Future:Jules Verne's Legacy Jules Verne It's been 120 years since the world mourned the passing of Jules Verne, "the man who invented the future." He died on March 24, 1905, in Amiens, France.I've been thinking about Verne lately and have decided to explore his genre. I'm outlining a new book

Man of Grit: Dietrick Lamade and the Williamsport Grit

Americans recall the Grit Sunday newspaper with nostalgia. For more than 100 years, this popular weekly delivered news, features, fiction, coupons, and comics to families across the nation. One million children have sold it, some for a few weeks, and some for several years. A newsboy delivers Grit newspapers in rural Pennsylvania. Many

2019-10-09T16:29:49-04:00By |History|

Book Envy

I'm nearly there. As of today, I've read  93 books toward my goal of 104 books in the Goodreads 2012 Reading Challenge. I seldom participate in online challenges because I have a problem committing. I tease my husband (of 32 years!) that I'm still not sure we're right for each other. I refuse to watch

I’m a Grit Salesman – Read the First Issue for Free!

“Here’s your copy of Grit, Mrs. Jones.” Every week similar welcomed words are echoed hundreds of thousands of times from coast to coast by an army of eager, bright-faced boys. They are the happy ambassadors for America’s Greatest Family Newspaper. Grit’s Happy Ambassadors: Its 30,000 Boy Salesmen February 1962 Actually, Grit’s distribution through the

2023-04-09T11:50:48-04:00By |News of Yesteryear|
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