Biography
Jared Frederick has a lifelong passion for American History. Prior to his career in academia, Frederick served as a park ranger at Gettysburg National Military Park and Harpers Ferry National Historical Park.
Frederick has long been involved in the world of Public and Digital History, including historical interpretation and development at numerous cultural sites. As an active reenactor and historical presenter, he firmly believes the past can be taught in spheres beyond the traditional classroom.
Frederick has appeared on C-SPAN, PBS, the Pennsylvania Cable Network, WW2TV, National Park Service productions, and various online documentaries. In 2019, he acted as a guest host on Turner Classic Movies for the channel’s 25th anniversary. He is also the host of the popular YouTube series "Reel History."
In addition to teaching a variety of courses pertaining to United States History at the Altoona campus, Frederick is currently completing his doctoral dissertation in the American Studies program at Penn State Harrisburg.
Research Interests
In his decade at Penn State Altoona, Frederick has taught one dozen different courses pertaining to American, Pennsylvania, military, cinematic, cultural, and public history. In each course, he incorporates immersive educational activities to evoke understandings and meanings of the past.
Publications
Civil War Leaders: Illustrated Biographies. Bellwood, PA: History Matters Publications, 2005.
Dispatches of D-Day: A People’s History of the Normandy Invasion. Denver: Valor Publishers, 2019.
Fierce Valor: The True Story of Ronald Speirs and His Band of Brothers. Washington, DC: Regnery History, 2021.
Hang Tough: The WWII Letters and Artifacts of Major Dick Winters. Nashville: Permuted Press, 2020.
Historic Pennsylvania: An Illustrated History. Bellwood, PA: History Matters Publications, 2007.
Images of Modern America: Altoona. Mount Pleasant, SC: Arcadia Publishing, 2015.
Images of Modern America: Gettysburg National Military Park. Mount Pleasant, SC: Arcadia, 2016.
More Civil War Leaders: Illustrated Biographies. Bellwood, PA: History Matters Publications, 2006.
Education
Ph D, American Studies, The Pennsylvania State University
MA, History, West Virginia Univeristy
BA, History, The Pennsylvania State University