AASLH

Larger historical institutions typically have the resources and staff to disseminate new ideas in exhibitions and other forms of public history and to draw on new scholarship. But where can organizations without the funding, time, or expertise on hand turn for up-to-date public history practices and scholarly context on unfamiliar topics? This panel will talk about how to relate to recent scholarship in a more active way. Chair: John Dichtl, Director, National Council on Public History, Indianapolis, IN; Mary Rizzo, Public Historian in Residence, Mid-Atlantic Regional Center for the Humanities, Rutgers University, Camden, NJ; Cathy Stanton, Senior Lecturer, Tufts University, Boston, MA; Cassie Ward, Director of Public Programs, Long Branch Plantation, Millwood, VA. Download at: http://resource.aaslh.org/view/the-who-what-and-how-of-tapping-into-new-scholarship-for-your-site-or-exhibit/

“Organizational health trumps everything,” according to best-selling author and management consultant Patrick Lencioni. After all, healthy organizations understand that they are “greater than the sum of their parts.” This practical, common-sense approach focuses on clarity and communication. Join the conversation about how to apply this model back at home and work. Co-Chairs: Norman O. Burns, II, Executive Director, Maymont Foundation, Richmond, VA and Kent Whitworth, Executive Director, Kentucky Historical Society, Frankfort, KY. Download at: http://resource.aaslh.org/view/the-advantage-keys-to-a-healthy-organization/

Planning any events related to the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War? This panel, led by three experienced hands at developing Vietnam War programming and exhibitions, will provide guidance on collection development and how to interact with veterans, why community partnerships and diverse programming are critical to success, and how to include aspects of the home front, from popular music to the anti-war movement, to create a balanced and engaging approach. Chair: William Brewster, Curator of Collections, First Infantry Museum at Cantigny, Wheaton, IL; Doug Bradley, Author and Vietnam Veteran, Madison, WI; Jeff Kollath, Public Humanities Program Manager, University of Wisconsin Center for the Humanities, Madison, WI. Download at: http://resource.aaslh.org/view/the-battle-for-vietnam-understanding-a-divisive-conflict-through-museum-programming-and-exhibitions/

Dr. Treuer addressed the Leadership in History Awards Banquet at our 2014 Annual Meeting in St. Paul, discussing both his award-winning book and his advocacy for Native American voices and history. “Often we talk about tribal history like it’s ten thousand years of ancient history rather than ten thousand years of history still in the making.” Download at: http://resource.aaslh.org/view/dr-anton-treuer-awards-banquet-speaker/

Garrison Keillor, one of America’s most beloved radio hosts and acclaimed humorists, delivered a keynote address entitled “It Goes On” at the 2014 Annual Meeting in St. Paul, Minnesota. Speaking to an auditorium filled with hundreds of listeners, as well as the Minnesota Public Radio audience, Keillor discussed the history of St. Paul and the importance of local history for gaining insight into the experiences of the majority of everyday Americans. Download at: http://resource.aaslh.org/view/garrison-keillor-keynote-address/

Nelson delivered a powerful keynote address at our 2014 Annual Meeting in St. Paul entitled “Reflections on the Journey,” in which she discussed the power of objects to connect us to the past and the value of leadership in today’s world. Each life contributes to our collective history, she emphasized, and each of us is history in the making. “In the end, our individual histories will be recounted in personal ways, through family stories, mementos, videos, and photos. And our collective legacy will be documented in history books, displayed in museums, and preserved at historic sites that tell the story of our time together.” Download at: http://resource.aaslh.org/view/marilyn-carlson-nelson-keynote-address/

Businesses are constantly trying to grow their customer base to include various demographics from around the world. Just as the key to business is growth, so is it for museums. This session will include three case studies highlighting how corporate museums and archives embrace diversity communications along with their parent corporations, and engage diverse audiences through programming and other avenues. Download at: http://resource.aaslh.org/view/diversity-positive-programs-in-corporate-archives-museums-and-visitor-centers/

Innovative arts-related programming can enliven historic sites by developing new audiences, fostering new partnerships, and providing new ways for visitors to interact with buildings, landscapes, and collections. The Glass House, Kykuit, and Brucemore will discuss arts-based programming that is rooted in their history and has expanded their partnerships and interpretation. Download at: http://resource.aaslh.org/view/enlivening-historic-sites-with-the-arts-2/

How can you update decades-old interpretation to create a more inclusive and engaging narrative in a gallery where American Indians are discussed only as anonymous creators of archaeological objects, and African American and women’s stories are physically segregated? This session offers opportunities for discussion from curatorial, design, and museum education perspectives. Download at: http://resource.aaslh.org/view/escaping-great-man-history-on-a-budget-diy-gallery-renovations/

The coming decades will bring about massive change, creating stress within our institutions and communities. Recognizing and responding to future trends is a crucial skill for all history professionals. This interactive session highlights foresight techniques used in the Leaders of the Future project of the California Association of Museums and guides participants in examining future trends. Download at: http://resource.aaslh.org/view/focusing-on-the-future-to-preserve-the-past-examining-trends-to-navigate-ongoing-change-2/