He took part in the International Historical Congresses in Vienna (1965) and Moscow (1970), sat on the Civic Committee for the Reconstruction of the Royal Castle in Warsaw (from 1971) and in the Capital City Council from 1958 to 1962. He collaborated with Christian and scout organizations. Among the prizes and distinctions that Herbst received include the 1st degree award of the Minister of National Defense (1968, for research on the Kościuszko Uprising), the Knight's Cross (1947) and Officer's Cross (1966) of the Order of Polonia Restituta, Order of the Banner of Work 2nd class (1966), and title of Teacher of Merit of the Polish People's Republic (1969). A street commemorating Herbst is located in the Ursynów district of Warsaw, between Al. National Education Commission and Capt. Witold Pilecki street (formerly Paweł Finder street). Herbst's interests included the history of modern military, the history of cities, of Warsaw in particular, the history of modern culture, the methodology of history and historical geography. He was an expert on the history of Warsaw and Mazovia. He carried out research on the evolution of the Polish martial art of the 15th and 16th centuries and the shaping of the art of command in the early 17th century. He made a description of elements of the art of war, conducted by improvised troops, and examined the meaning of the masses in Polish wars. He devoted much of his research to the Kościuszko Uprising, including he examined the causes of the insurrection and the combat trail, and showed the innovation of Kościuszko's command; he revised the memoirs of Jan Kiliński. He analyzed the guild's institution, the significance of Polish cities in the system of political power, and the history and significance of fortresses (including Zamość and Modlin). He investigated the history of the Jewish population of Warsaw, was interested in the history of Polish printing and the significance of Sarmatism in the Polish culture of the 17th century. He gathered rich sources and iconographic materials for the reign of Zygmunt III Waza. He cooperated with many magazines, including "Bulletin of the History of Art and Culture" (1937-1939), "Rocznik Warszawski" (1960-1972), "Kwartalnik Historyczne", "Przegląd Historyczny", "Military Historical Review", "Studies and Materials for the History of Militarism".