the Association for Living History, Farm and Agricultural Museums
I recently read an article on the benefits of collections-based research. The author stated the following: "A canned program* performs a social function. It brings together members and visitors for an enjoyable experience, adds to attendance figures, and may promote repeat visitation. It is often educational, and at its best truly thought provoking. But its… Continue reading Canned Programming for Museums: Healthy?
Lately I’ve heard of negative visitor reactions to historic (and sustainable but open to the public) farm sites in regards to the animals they keep. It seems not everyone is comfortable with animals on farms becoming food or with the processes that turn these animals into food. Admittedly, it’s easy to dismiss their reactions with:… Continue reading Do Visitors Think We’re Eating Our Pets?
"I knew by mid-morning on Friday (in the deluge) that this was going to be the Mid-Atlantic ALHFAM conference that all others will be measured against for the next ten years. Because everyone who attended is going to be talking about it for at least that long - maybe longer. And those who didn’t attend,… Continue reading Caps and Boats and Lead Coffins: The ALHFAM Mid-Atlantic Region Conference in Review (and Photos!)
Registration is now open for the 2016 ALHFAM Annual Meeting and Conference. Join like-minded people at the Rural Life Museum in Baton Rouge, Louisiana from June 12-16. Sign up for the School of the Mule or a field trip to Angola (two of many offerings), visit museums and historic sites including the National WWII Museum… Continue reading ALHFAM Annual Meeting & Conference in Baton Rouge–REGISTER NOW!
“How many of us have cringed, if ever so slightly, when we encountered a costumed, overzealous re-enactor performing a historic narrative . . .” –The Anarchist’s Guide to Historic House Museums. Two weeks ago I shared some impressions on the book quoted above. In that blog I said, “Living history, with the exception of a… Continue reading Is there “ . . . awkwardness in the pretense of the pretend . . . ?”
Calling all farmers (new, historic, museum, and aspiring)! Learn how to use draft horses and oxen in your historic farming programing and to power your farms sustainably and productively. ALHFAM Institutional member Tillers International (Michigan) is offering scholarships that will cover 60% of the tuition cost for many of their draft animal training sessions including:… Continue reading Draft Animal Training Scholarships
I just finished reading An Anarchist's Guide to Historic House Museums. This is not a review. Whether or not you agree with many of the ideas espoused, it is thought-provoking. I do unabashedly love the idea of the Anarchist tags. They are brilliant and should be carried around by anyone who cares about and visits… Continue reading An Anarchist’s Guide to Historic House Museums
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”
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
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?
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