Examination Practice Questions And

Illinois Public Historian Certification Examination Practice Questions And Correct Answers (Verified Answers) Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant Download Pdf

• Which principle best guides archival appraisal for Illinois public history

institutions?

• Keeping all records permanently
• Prioritizing documents with highest market value
• Evaluating records based on evidential and informational value
• Retaining only materials older than 50 years

Rationale: Appraisal in public history focuses on long-term evidential and

informational value, not age or market worth.

• The Illinois State Archives primarily serves which function?
• Publishing historical textbooks
• Preserving and providing access to official government records 1 / 4

• Managing federal documents
• Storing museum collections

Rationale: State archives maintain government records to support

accountability and historical research.

• Oral history practitioners in Illinois must follow standards established

by:

• National Governors Association
• Society for Historical Archaeology
• Oral History Association
• American Statistical Association

Rationale: The Oral History Association sets national ethical and

methodological standards used widely in Illinois.

• Which Illinois law governs records retention for public agencies?
• Illinois Heritage Act
• Local Records Act
• Freedom of Information Reform Act
• Public Access Preservation Code

Rationale: The Local Records Act outlines retention and disposal

requirements statewide.

5. A core responsibility of a public historian working in a museum is:

• Writing legislation
• Interpreting historical materials for public audiences 2 / 4

• Managing financial audits
• Overseeing highway infrastructure

Rationale: Public historians transform research into accessible

interpretation for the public.

6. The National Register of Historic Places evaluates properties using:

• Five criteria of market feasibility
• Local tax assessment forms
• Four criteria of significance and integrity
• Municipal building codes

Rationale: The Register employs four core criteria related to significance

and integrity.

7. In Illinois preservation practice, “integrity” refers to:

• Compliance with funding rules
• Retention of physical characteristics that convey historical significance
• Absence of modern additions
• A building’s profitability

Rationale: Integrity measures whether key historic features remain intact

enough to communicate significance.

8. A finding aid in archives is used to:

• Digitally watermark images
• Describe and facilitate access to archival collections
• Evaluate restoration needs 3 / 4

• Provide ownership rights

Rationale: Finding aids guide researchers to browse and understand

archival collections.

9. In Illinois museums, “interpretive planning” ensures:

• Refreshment sales compliance
• Collections insurance estimates
• Clear goals, themes, and audience strategies for exhibitions
• Volunteer age verification

Rationale: Interpretive planning organizes message, theme, and audience

engagement.

• Which grant source commonly supports Illinois humanities projects?
• Department of Agriculture
• National Weather Service
• Illinois Humanities
• Federal Aviation Administration

Rationale: Illinois Humanities regularly funds statewide cultural and

historical initiatives.

11. Deaccessioning museum items must follow:

• Personal preference of curators
• A secret ballot by volunteers
• Written institutional policy and professional ethical guidelines
• Donor assumptions
• / 4