Egen has shared his love of history with visitors to The Henry Ford for 32 years. (Photo by Tom Wille)
Portal to the Past
Alumnus Brian James Egen illuminates history through storytelling
As Brian James Egen (BA92) says, storytelling is at the root of his work as executive producer and head of studio productions at The Henry Ford in Dearborn.
Upon closer look, it’s also clear that storytelling is his passion.
Egen, who earned a bachelor’s degree in history at Eastern, built his career by combining his love of American history and filmmaking. He began working at The Henry Ford 32 years ago as a part-time historical presenter before advancing to manager of special programs, then chief program officer. In 2014, he created and began leading the museum’s internal film department.
“I oversee all film production work for our internal projects, social media and our syndicated TV show ‘The Henry Ford Innovation Nation,’ Egen says. “Beyond scholarship, I feel historians have an obligation to inspire other people to learn about the past. At the heart of that is good storytelling.”
Outside the museum, Egen helps inspire interest in historical people, places and events across the state as a member of the Michigan Historical Commission. Earlier this year, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer appointed Egen to the commission for his fourth four-year term.
“In addition to advising the Michigan History Center, our commission oversees the state’s historic marker program,” says Egen, who is also the commission’s president. “We help shepherd new marker approvals and facilitate marker dedication ceremonies. There are currently more than 1,800 markers statewide.
Egen (second from right) helped unveil a War of 1812 historical maker in Detroit in June 2019. (Photo courtesy of Brian James Egen)
One of Egen’s primary research interests is the American Civil War. Among his extensive scholarly and volunteer activities, Egen is president of the Michigan Civil War Association. He also chaired the Michigan Civil War Sesquicentennial Committee and co-authored the book “Michigan at Antietam.” In 1992, as a fresh EMU graduate, Egen donned a replica of a Union uniform and played a small role as the “Cocky Lieutenant” in the 1992 feature film “Gettysburg.”
“That film inspired a lot of people,” Egen says. “Lots of kids who watched it have since become historians and museum workers.”
Egen has also contributed to various film projects, including a script adaptation of “An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge,” a short story by Ambrose Bierce set during the Civil War.
Egen (right) poses with actor C. Thomas Howell during the filming of “Gettysburg,” a 1993 film about the landmark Civil War battle. (Photo courtesy of Brian James Egen)
As a researcher, Egen helped revise the marker memorializing the students from Eastern (then Michigan State Normal School) who died in battle during the Civil War. The original marker, located at Pray-Harrold Hall, was updated in the early 1990s to 30 names after Egen identified two additional students who perished in the conflict.
“The Civil War was one of the most pivotal moments in our country’s history,” Egen says. “The tidal wave of grief that overcame the nation was staggering. The war not only answered some of the questions that had been building since the American Revolution, it also put into motion a series of events that we’re still dealing with today. Although the resulting adoption of the 13th, 14th and 15th constitutional amendments [which address slavery, citizenship and voting rights] haven’t solved everything, they’ve taken us closer to ‘a more perfect union.’”
A plaque honoring Eastern students who died in the Civil War is affixed to Pray-Harrold Hall. (Photo by Ariana Strzalka)
Through all his activities, Egen’s goal remains the same: using the past to illuminate the future.
“Books, popular movies, living history museums, museum exhibits and presentations—all these things help connect people with the past,” he says. “Ultimately, as historians, we want to touch people—to take them to a secret place of awe and curiosity and help inspire them in their own lives.”
By Jeff Samoray