Bridging Historical and Civic Practice - Live Webinar
Includes a Live Web Event on 10/01/2026 at 3:00 AM (EDT)
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Register
- Nonmember - $45
- Academic Program - $25
- Academic Faculty - $25
- Academic Student - $25
- Partner Institution - $25
- Partner Institution Staff - $25
- Premier Partner Institution - $25
- Premier Institution Staff - $25
- Platinum Partner Institution - $25
- Platinum Institution Staff - $25
- Complimentary - $25
- Individual Membership - $25
- Subscription Services - $25
- Institutional Budget - $25
- Institutional Staff - $25
- Individual Student - $25
- Institutional Member - $25
- Individual Student Renew - $25
Webinar Description
With its vast geographical reach and high degree of public trust, the history sector is uniquely positioned to strengthen democracy. But the field has largely been an untapped partner in this effort. Now, more than ever, there is an urgent need to leverage and expand the vital role history organizations play in civic life—both by advancing essential historical knowledge and skills and also by strengthening civic participation, bridging divides, and addressing contemporary challenges. This webinar will offer both big-picture inspiration and concrete case studies highlighting programming and partnership ideas that can help enhance your organization’s capacity to fortify American civic culture.
This webinar is presented as part of AASLH’s History & Democracy Initiative (HDI), which seeks to amplify and uplift the crucial role that the history field plays in supporting a thriving democracy. HDI is supported by our founding partner, the Virginia Museum of History & Culture.
Details
DATE: October 1, 2026
TIME: 3:00 - 4:15 pm EASTERN (Remember to adjust for your time zone)
COST: $25 members/$45 nonmembers
ACCESS: You will be provided with instructions on how to access the live event upon registration.
Learning Outcomes
This webinar will . . .
- Offer history organizations inspiration for demonstrating how the work of the history field is vital to strengthening democracy and civic life.
- Equip history organizations with guidance and ideas for increasing their ability to foster productive discourse, civic participation, community connection, critical thinking, collective problem-solving, and other aspects of civic practice.
- Encourage thinking about ways to connect history organizations’ work with adjacent sectors to help develop strategic collaborations and programming.
Target Audience
This webinar is designed for history practitioners of all career stages and at institutions of all missions, sizes, and locations who are interested in the intersection between history and democracy. The webinar may also to appeal to those from adjacent sectors interested in more closely partnering with the history field.
Recording and Captioning
We will record this event. Captioning is provided for the live event.
Connecting the Content
This webinar will especially help organizations enrolled in STEPS address multiple standards under the Audience and Community Engagement and Mission, Vision, and Governance sections of the STEPS program.
The Standards and Excellence Program for History Organizations (STEPS) from AASLH is a self-study, self-paced assessment tool designed specifically for small- to mid-sized history organizations, including volunteer-run institutions. Through a workbook, online resources, and an online community, organizations enrolled in STEPS review their policies and practices and benchmark themselves against national standards.
Having issues registering? Please contact learn@aaslh.org
Please note AASLH's Notetaking Tools Policy: During webinars and online courses, the use of any AI notetaking tools such as meeting assistants is prohibited to ensure the confidentiality and security of the discussion. Our sessions are automatically recorded and transcribed for participants. AI tools will be removed from events by AASLH staff if they appear. Please contact us at learn@aaslh.org if you need to use AI tools for accessibility reasons.
Cancellation/Refunds for onsite workshops must be submitted in writing via email to learn@aaslh.org or mail to 2021 21st Ave S., Suite 320 Nashville, TN 37212. Cancellations made prior to the early-bird registration deadline date will receive a full refund. Cancellations made between the early-bird deadline date and eight days prior to the workshop will be subject to a $55 processing/materials charge. No refunds will be given within seven days of the workshop date. AASLH is not responsible for cancellations that were mailed or emailed but never received.
Cancellations/Refunds for online professional development (webinars and online courses) must be submitted in writing via email to learn@aaslh.org or mail to 2021 21st Ave S., Suite 320 Nashville, TN 37212. Cancellations made prior to the start date for the online course or the day of the webinar will be given a full refund. No refund will be given after the start date for the online course or on/after the day of the webinar. Registrants may transfer their registration to another person. Registrations cannot be transferred between courses or course sessions. AASLH is not responsible for cancellations that were mailed or emailed but never received.
If you have any questions, please contact AASLH Professional Development staff at learn@aaslh.org or 615-320-3203.
Val Brown
Chief Education & Strategic Partnerships Officer
Levine Museum of the New South
Dr. Val Brown is Chief Education and Strategic Partnerships Officer at Levine Museum of the New South, where she leads partnerships and public initiatives that position the museum as a space for civic learning and democratic dialogue. She collaborates with community organizations, educators, and national coalitions to design programs that move history into conversation and action. From early childhood engagement to college fellowships, her work builds pathways for participation across generations. She is committed to strengthening democracy by aligning institutional strategy with community voice.
Julie Parke
Museum Administrator
Elkhart County Historical Museum
Julie Parke has over 35 years of experience in the museum and public history field. She currently serves as the Museum Administrator for the Elkhart County Historical Museum in Bristol, IN. Julie holds a BA in History from Northwestern and an MA in History and Historic Preservation from Wake Forest, and she is an SHA graduate. Julie teaches a museum studies course under the History program at Grace College, Winona Lake, IN, where she also volunteers with the Winona History Center.
Madeleine Rosenberg (Moderator)
Director of Research & Strategic Initiatives
AASLH
Madeleine Rosenberg is the Director of Research and Strategic Initiatives at AASLH, where she oversees the development and integration of the organization’s advocacy, strategy, and research priorities. As part of this work, Madeleine collaborates with varied stakeholders on innovative partnerships, programs, and resources designed to strengthen the history sector and advance fieldwide practice. Prior to joining AASLH, Madeleine served as the Public Humanities Specialist at the Princeton Public Library and as Chief Public Historian for the New Jersey Historical Commission. She was previously the Director of Exhibition Development at the National September 11 Memorial & Museum. Madeleine holds a dual M.A./M.Sc. in international and world history from Columbia University and the London School of Economics and a B.A. in history from Brown University.
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