20th Century America

Research Interests

Emilie Raymond specializes in 20th century American political culture. Her work focuses on Hollywood and politics and on the Vietnam War, as well as the influence of the civil rights movement, women’s activism, and conservatism in American life. She is the author of "From My Cold, Dead Hands: Charlton Heston and American Politics" (University of Kentucky Press, 2006) and "Stars for Freedom: Hollywood, Black Celebrities, and the Civil Rights Movement" (University of Washington Press, 2016). She guest curated the exhibit “Virginia and the Vietnam War: The Things They Carried” at the Virginia Museum of History and Culture (November 2024-July 2025). Currently, she is writing a dual biography of Paul and Phyllis Galanti entitled "Bring Paul Home: Love and Heroism during the Vietnam War."

For a digital project coauthored with students, see “From Those Who Care”: Virginia’s Vietnam War Memorials.

Prof. Raymond is the faculty advisor for Make-A-Wish @VCU.

Courses

• The Art of Historical Detection: American Identity
• Survey of Virginia History
• U.S. History Since 1945
• History and Film, the 1970s
• Senior Seminar: The 1960s
• Food Policy during World War 2
• Readings in American History: Vietnam Era (graduate)
• Research in American History: 20th Century U.S. History (graduate)
• Controversy and Public History