the Association for Living History, Farm and Agricultural Museums
by James Macklen Living history museums are great places to visit to see different lifestyles. We need to show our support as we are able. One of the best ways to show support is to incorporate some of the newly-discovered practices in our homes. That’s what I do on my farm, and antique equipment is… Continue reading Walking the Talk
The 2018 Program Committee has been busy lining up some special workshops for the conference in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. Three workshops will be taught by Cherokee National Treasures. National Treasures are Cherokee Nation citizens who have been recognized for their exceptional knowledge of Cherokee art forms and cultural practices. Workshops will include: Cherokee Basketry A historical… Continue reading Cherokee National Treasures to Teach ALHFAM Conference Workshops
Hope you are making plans to attend the ALHFAM 2018 conference in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, June 1-5. Tahlequah was established in Indian Territory as the Cherokee capital by the Cherokee people in 1839. So what was Indian Territory and where was it? In the late eighteenth century white settlers began migrating from the original thirteen colonies… Continue reading What was Indian Territory?
Recently a dedicated group of ALHFAM members, primarily from the Farm Professional Interest Group, took the time to develop and/or revise three documents relating to the use of livestock in museum settings. They are: Position statement on the Use of Livestock in Museum Settings (2016) Adopted by the board in 2016, this document clarifies ALHFAM's official… Continue reading Livestock Care in Museums
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
Recent discussion on ALHFAM-L (ALHFAM's email discussion list) about living history bibliographies led to one of our members from the Netherlands sharing this: Interpretation: The International Bibliographic Database of Living History. Even though the database is supported by ALHFAM and NAI (National Association for Interpretation) and affiliated with IMTAL (International Museum Theatre Alliance), it was… Continue reading Interpretation: The International Bibliographic Database of Living History
The deadline for proposals is fast approaching! Western Canada has always been a land of entrepreneurs, innovators and risk takers. From early explorers like David Thompson, to the settlers and ranchers who came from all over, they came with little, endured hardships and created a thriving province by sheer will, toil and a “can-do” attitude.… Continue reading 2014 Conference Update
Enjoy this update from 2014 conference chair, Susan Recksiedler: We look forward to welcoming you to Calgary next June… 249 days and counting! We’ve had a few queries from people working on their budgets and vacation schedules and wanted to pass along some details to help with your planning. Registration fees will be set after… Continue reading 2014 Conference Update
Susan Reckseidler says: The keynote address at the tri-regional conference was delivered by none other than Calamity Jane... aka, Joyce Theirer, Phd, from Ride Into History. The key to successful Living History is to be authentic and accurate... and Jane/Joyce had us engaged with every word. ALHFAM President Debra Reid, on behalf of the 3 regions,reads… Continue reading Updates from Montana…
Notes from the field..... From President Debra Reid: Coming to you from Nevada City, Montana. . . the Tri-regional conference (Mountain-Plains, West, and Western Canada) has launched with 68 registrants and sites with collections that make a curator drool. Kay Cynova, Mountain-Plains regional representative, came a day early to get over the shock of such… Continue reading Tri Regional update!
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