The article Life in the Slow Lane, Still a Draw for Heritage Fans appeared in the New York Times recently (and features a great image of the Frontier Culture Museum). ALHFAM President Tom Kelleher is quoted and our website it linked. It's an interesting and short read. What do you think about the points raised?… Continue reading “Life in the Slow Lane, Still a Draw for Heritage Fans”
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The Walking Dead meets ALHFAM?
No... I'm not referring to that early morning session on the last day of an ALHFAM conference after a very long night! For those folks that are fans of the hit TV Show The Walking Dead, you may have picked up a connection between the series and ALHFAM. In a recent episode, the survivors of… Continue reading The Walking Dead meets ALHFAM?
Interpreting & Plowing & Bookbinding & More
Many great opportunities to learn new skills, meet new people, and see new places are available in the next few months thanks to ALHFAM regional and Professional Interest Group gatherings. Take advantage if you can: The Mid-Atlantic region has put together a fabulous program for their meeting being held April 1-2 at Historic St. Mary's… Continue reading Interpreting & Plowing & Bookbinding & More
Revising History
The "R" word... revisionist history. There, I've said it. While I do believe that there are people who clearly do revise history to serve their own needs - we cannot overlook the fact that as new things are learned - interpretation of "our" history will, by its very nature, change. I couldn't help but think… Continue reading Revising History
Romanticizing the Past?
Last week I blogged about my ALHFAM plow match experience and how it allowed me to experience an "artifact" in a new and thought-provoking way. I believe these experiences help museum professionals interpret the past. The knowledge we gain when we try our hand at a historic skill, using appropriate tools, far surpasses anything we… Continue reading Romanticizing the Past?
Why Every Curator Should Enter a Plowing Match
The plowing match is one of my favorite events at ALHFAM annual meetings/conferences. I wrote the following after a particularly rewarding experience: This summer at the ALHFAM annual meeting I plowed. Granted it was only two furrows in the horse-drawn plowing match, but in my mind, I plowed. I was nervous, as there were lots… Continue reading Why Every Curator Should Enter a Plowing Match
Touching the past
I've been doing the museum thing for some time now; just about mid-way through my 3rd decade in the museum world. That being said, it's really nice to get a reminder every now and then of just what got me started in this field well over 20 years ago. Here at the Historical Park, we've… Continue reading Touching the past
Hidden Treasures
For those of you who attended the 2012 Annual Meeting at Farmers Branch, Texas - you might recall the cornerstone of our park, the 1856 Gilbert House. Over time, our staff has been noticing some potential issues with the foundation of the house and to ensure that the Gilbert House makes it through another 160… Continue reading Hidden Treasures
Farm-Based Education Network
ALHFAM member Blake Hayes brought this wonderful resource to our attention on the ALHFAM-L a few weeks back. I've checked out their website and it's chock full of great stuff including jobs, event calendars, resources, newsletters, social media and in-person networking opportunities, and even a map of farm-based education programs. It's administered by Shelburne Farms… Continue reading Farm-Based Education Network
The Forums are Open
An interesting feature on the improved ALHFAM website are the forums. Forums are set up for all of the Professional Interest Groups (PIGs), for the membership at large, and for the MidAtlantic region (regional forums need to be initiated by your regional rep--if your region doesn't have one yet, contact your rep and tell them… Continue reading The Forums are Open
