AASLH AASLH

Collaboration is key, but not always easy. How can large urban museums and small local presenters work together to grow collaborative networks that transcend differences of scale, budget, and territory to broaden opportunities for regional audiences? Learn strategies to overcome roadblocks and capitalize on new opportunities to build effective partnerships.

Chair: Leslie A. Przybylek, Senator John Heinz History Center, Pittsburgh, PA; Jared Frederick, Blair County Historical Society, Altoona, PA; Erin Rothenbueler, Ohio County Public Library, Wheeling, WV; Robert Stakeley, Senator John Heinz History Center, Pittsburgh, PA

Every institution, especially smaller ones, faces barriers to collections care and collections management. Lack of funding, small staffs, and institutional buy-in contribute to these problems. With the help of attendees, participants will identify common barriers to improving collections care and management and offer help to overcome these barriers.

Chair: Susan Barger, Foundation for the American Institute for Conservation, Santa Fe, NM; Samantha Forsko, Conservation Center for Art & Historic Artifacts, Philadelphia, PA; Jobi O. Zink, The Rosenback, Philadelphia, PA; Laura Heemer, Wharton Esherick Museum, Paoli, PA

Join museum practitioners, preservationists, scholars, and a conceptual artist for a conversation about rapid response versus strategic collecting from multiple closed public schools across different cities. Gain unique insight around swift preservation methods, memory, and developing creative models to advance narratives around preserving and interpreting potential lost histories.

Chair: Kimberly E. Springle, Charles Sumner School Museum and Archives, Washington, DC; Dr. Marion Bolden, Newark Public Schools Historical Preservation Committee, Newark, NJ; Claudia B. Ocello, Museum Partners Consulting, LLC, Maplewood, NJ; Pepon Osorio, Temple University, Tyler School of Art, Philadelphia, PA; Dr. Charles Tocci, Loyola University, Chicago, IL

When house museums want to leap forward, wishful thinking isn’t enough. They need sufficient capacity and support to achieve their vision. We’ll explore three different but common approaches—the governing board, volunteers, and a major fundraising campaign—with an experienced director, mid-level program manager, and a national non-profit consultant.

Chair: Max van Balgooy, Engaging Places, LLC, Rockville, MD; Donna Ann Harris, Heritage Consulting, Inc. Philadelphia, PA; Alexandra Rasic, Homestead Museum, City of Industry, CA; Nina Zannieri, Paul Revere Memorial Association/Paul Revere House, Boston, MA

History museums in the U.S. and beyond still interpret predominantly white histories. This session presents museums in United States, Canada, and Brazil working from an Afrocentric lens, and the many challenges faced, from denialism to political pressure, barriers to community engagement to lack of funding. Could an Afrocentric museum resistance movement help?

Chair: Gegê Leme Joseph, International Coalition for Sites of Conscience, Long Island City, NY, Caitlin Blue, Niagara Falls Underground Railroad Heritage Center, Niagara Falls, NY; Ally Spongr, Niagara Falls Underground Railroad Heritage Center, Niagara Falls, NY

How can using Smithsonian resources bolster community engagement? The panel will discuss how hosting a Museum on Main Street exhibition spurred youth and community engagement with local history through digital storytelling. This experience bridged age gaps and led to surprising outcomes by presenting history in a more relevant way.

Chair: Selwyn Ramp, Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service, Washington, DC; Robbie Davis, Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service, Washington, DC ; Robin Goetz, Brunswick Public Library, Brunswick, MD; Shannon Sullivan, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC