AASLH

How can turning points in history illuminate the present? What can visitors to historic sites take from these pivotal moments? What challenges do history museums face when dealing with contemporary issues? Panelists will discuss making institutional commitments to address not only history, but how it changes and impacts visitors today. Download at: http://resource.aaslh.org/view/historic-turning-points-fueling-contemporary-change-2/

The Latino population has been growing dramatically since the 1980s, and many of these newcomers are settling in the South. Hear how three very different museums confront the limitations of state and cultural boundaries as they explore what it means to work together documenting dramatic regional change as it happens. Download at: http://resource.aaslh.org/view/latino-new-south-a-new-lens-into-institutional-and-community-engagement/

No matter what you call them, this roundtable will explore the potential benefits and pitfalls of museums joining together by using real examples from institutions, both urban and rural, that have recently gone through the process. Download at: http://resource.aaslh.org/view/mergers-alliances-and-partnerships-whats-right-whats-wrong-whats-deadly/

How do we reclaim, democratize, and actualize history in contemporary spaces? How does activism make a difference in the realization of cultural and historic spaces and in the fight for social justice? This panel will present the approaches of museums remembering different histories but sharing a commitment to engage their histories in the struggle for justice. Download at: http://resource.aaslh.org/view/movement-creates-museum-activist-beginnings-of-history-institutions/

This session will focus on Birmingham’s ethnic, industrial, and racial history by telling of the people who comprised it. The speakers will demonstrate and discuss how oral histories provide an innovative approach to studying complex history, especially those where the stories of the working class and unheralded are crucial to the telling. Download at: http://resource.aaslh.org/view/ordinary-people-with-extraordinary-stories-of-birmingham/

Many museums today are turning to interactive gaming as a way to attract new audiences. When designed well, games engage the imagination, foster motivation, and facilitate learning. But how can museums of all sizes ensure their games meet mission and learning goals? In this session, museum educators and game designers will discuss challenges and opportunities that games present, including questions of audience, learning outcomes, history-based game play, and format. Download at: http://resource.aaslh.org/view/playing-games-with-history-2/

Do you feel that your institution is not making the best use of collections? Are the objects you have not the “right ones”? If so, help decide what to do about it! This session recaps and then builds on the 2012 session “Do History Museums Still Need Objects?” Download at: http://resource.aaslh.org/view/practical-solutions-for-rethinking-our-collections-and-how-we-use-them-2/

The National Dialogues on Immigration Project is a groundbreaking series of public dialogue programs at immigration, civil rights, and ethnic identity museums aimed at sparking a national conversation on critical immigration questions. Learn how the project was developed and can be implemented at your site, bringing together museum staff, humanities scholars, and leading dialogue facilitators. Download at: http://resource.aaslh.org/view/the-national-dialogues-on-immigration-project/

Using TIE, a scenario-building game inspired by future studies practice, participants explore strategies for incorporating innovation into traditional museum programs or exhibits. By brainstorming big ideas without limitations, the game creates unique juxtapositions, and feeds curiosity and creativity, resulting in strategies for scaling ideas to institution of any size/budget. Download at: http://resource.aaslh.org/view/tie-a-thinking-big-at-historic-sites-futures-game-2/

At what point do we consider an object old enough to be an artifact? Must an item be rare to be worthy of collections? This panel discussion will explore these questions and make the case for why history museums should be collecting contemporary, even mass-produced items today. Download at: http://resource.aaslh.org/view/vintage-or-artifact-collecting-the-20th-and-21st-centuries/