AASLH

Often the uncomplimentary or uncomfortable aspects of an institution’s history or field draw the most attention. This panel from the 2010 AASLH Annual Meeting discusses strategies for crafting good answers to tough questions. This session was sponsored by the AASLH Court and Legal History Affinity Group. - See more at: http://resource.aaslh.org/view/answering-the-questions-you-dont-want-people-to-ask/#sthash.2vQy3hk2.dpuf

Jim Loewen’s address at the 2010 Leadership in History Awards Banquet. Loewen speaks of the misconceptions commonly pervaded throughout history classes in America. He first speaks of the minimal history classes that an average museum visitor takes, and the diluted quality of the classes themselves. He then breaks down some sites that make historic claims that are wildly inaccurate and shares ideas of how they became to be historical knowledge. He speaks of getting it right beginning with the language used to describe historical events, inaccurate notions about the Civil War, and the nadir of race relations, including Native Americans and African Americans. Download at: http://resource.aaslh.org/view/jim-loewen-awards-banquet-speaker-2010-aaslh-annual-meeting/

Gerard Baker’s plenary address at the 2010 AASLH/OMA Annual Meeting. Baker discusses working for the National Park Service as a Native American. Most notably he mentions the lack of the Native American perspective in many sites such as the Dakota Badlands and Mount Rushmore. He recounts his experience working for sites such as these and the methods he employed for getting Native American tribe members and staff to participate in discussions with one another about the histories presented at the sites. Download at: http://resource.aaslh.org/view/gerard-baker-plentary-speaker-2010-aaslh-annual-meeting/

This session explores how commemorative events can generate long-term positive impacts. Civil War Sesquicentennial coordinators from Kentucky, Ohio, and Virginia will discuss new models for commemorations that promise to support services and programs that continue long afterward. Download at: http://resource.aaslh.org/view/creating-lasting-value-through-commemoration-of-the-civil-war-150/

Creating a new program is relatively easy. Developing the ones that will captivate a new audience and promote return visitation is the real challenge. This session will review simple, cost-effective ways to combine traditional media with online technologies like Survey Monkey, blogs, Facebook, Flicker, and Twitter to evaluate your current audience and tap into hidden ones that may be right beyond your doorstep. Download at: http://resource.aaslh.org/view/discovering-your-hidden-audience/

The Field Services Alliance presents its annual session on on best practices in museums.

This session includes presentations on the following topics:

Free things you can do to make your historical organization better

Caring for photographs in your collections

Getting membership right

How to build fast and easy storage supports

Download at: http://resource.aaslh.org/view/field-services-alliance-present-museum-tips-2009/

Museums may receive military related donations from veterans or their descendants that include items that are illegal, controversial, or are health or safety hazards. This session sponsored by AASLH’s Military History Affinity Group provides an overview of these problems, suggests solutions, and addresses how current military war trophy policies will affect future exhibits. Download at: http://resource.aaslh.org/view/the-problems-with-military-donations/

This session focuses on ways smaller institutions can use the lasting resources of Connecting to Collections: A Call to Action to have an impact on collections care in the 21st century. Download at: http://resource.aaslh.org/view/connecting-to-collections-state-by-state/

Indianapolis leaders from the business, philanthropic, cultural, and political sectors explore the entrepreneurial spirit and civic partnerships that turned the city from “India-No-Place” into a vital, thriving urban center. Panelists look at key challenges and turning points over a 20-year period and the very real issue of sustainability being faced today. Download at: http://resource.aaslh.org/view/getting-it-done-achieving-and-sustaining-community-change-through-diverse-partnerships/

Presenters discuss existing models for other professionals, tailored be applicable to other settings. Key issues:

Preservation of an historic viewshed and scenic environs (Drayton Hall)

Choosing community engagement rather than velvet rope tours from the planning stages (Villa Finale)

Collaborative program development for education in poor communities (Stenton)

Leadership among local cultural organizations including during emergencies (Brucemore)

Download at: http://resource.aaslh.org/view/historic-sites-providing-life-and-leadership-in-their-communities/