Phoebe Kropp

Phoebe Kropp is an Associate Professor in the Department of History at the University of Pennsylvania. She is also a former Andrew W. Mellon Penn Faculty Fellow in the Humanities (2006—2007).

Research Interests: Her work focuses on the intersections of

• leisure camping in American history
• cultural and social constructions of nature
• gender and family dynamics in tourism
• state-sponsored outdoor activities
• technology and consumption in wilderness experiences
• national identity formation through travel

Scientific Awards:

• Andrew W. Mellon Penn Faculty Fellow in the Humanities (2006—2007)

Research Narrative: In her book project "Travels in Nature: Camping Out in America," Prof. Kropp examines camping as a transformative cultural practice in the United States. She analyzes how camping evolved from necessity to leisure activity, exploring its implications for understanding relationships between nature and culture, technology and consumption, family structures, and state-supported tourism. Her work interrogates how travel experiences shape—and are shaped by—conceptions of nationhood, freedom, and social norms, particularly through the lens of automobility, specialized outdoor gear, and public land usage.