the Association for Living History, Farm and Agricultural Museums
While ALHFAM is not an exhibit-oriented organization, some of its members deal with collections on a daily basis whether it is storage, care, loan or exhibition. Pieces from collections are used as patterns to reproduce that item so that it might, in some sense, provide an “up close and personal” experience for visitors when the… Continue reading Ideas on Preserving and Sharing Collections
"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!)
“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 . . . ?”
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
Poultry flock inspection, blade sheep shearing, English formal gardens in America, heritage potatoes, preservation of period clothing, spinning and weaving, behaviorism applications for tourists . . . What a wonderfully eclectic mix of topics; articles about which are found in just two issues of the Bulletin, ALHFAM's quarterly journal. Every issue I receive has something… Continue reading Poultry to Period Clothing: The Bulletin
This is for all of you textile and clothing folks out there.... in other words - members of the HAT committee! As part of our ongoing site visits for next year's conference here in Texas, we visited the fantastic Texas Fashion Collection at the University of North Texas. We are planning on making a visit… Continue reading Texas Fashion Collection
At least one ALHFAM conference evening features music and dance, last evening was no exception. A local bluegrass band got us singing and up on our feet. - Katie Boardman
A favorite ALHFAM banquet entertainment is the historical fashion show. The good research and careful craftsmanship of creating reproduction historical clothing of our members and their sites is on display. The clothing and textile folks are in seventh heaven. Its always fun to see what time periods and regions are represented. More of the 20th… Continue reading The Historical Fashion Show
ALHFAM 