AASLH History Hour | April 2026

Join other AASLH members and friends for a free and informal conversation and community-building event on April 28 at 3 p.m. Eastern time.

In April 2025, AASLH held an in-person summit focused on the future of historic house museum interpretation. A year later, the Historic House Committee would like to revisit some of those topics as they are preparing to launch the new Historic House Museum Pro Certificate program later this year.

A project coming out of the summit is the development of Historic House Museum Pro. This initiative, funded by the Richard Hampton Jenrette Foundation, will be a professional certificate program for history practitioners who work or would like to work in historic house museums. Like AASLH’s existing Small Museum Pro Certificate, it will provide practical guidance and education on a variety of topics. To receive a certificate, applicants must complete and pass seven courses or workshops from the program. 

The April History Hour will allow you to join the conversation as we plan for this new program. The topics for discussion this month are:

·        Telling the Whole History – How can we share stories that are relevant to our historic sites but may be unflattering or controversial? How can we interpret the topics (mental health, slavery, crime, sexuality) to help visitors make a personal connection to our historic sites?

·        Is Conversation Interpretation? – Many historic house museums have incorporated dialogic tours at their sites. How does it work? What are the advantages and disadvantages of this style of interpretation?

·        Training Interpreters – How do you train your tour staff? What works or what doesn’t work? What resources would make training easier and more effective?

·        Business Basics – Small Museum Pro includes workshops on financial management and endowment that will be eligible for Historic House Museum Pro credits. What other general nonprofit business skills could AASLH add to this program?

AASLH History Hour takes place on the fourth Tuesday of each month from 3 – 4 p.m. Eastern time. While free, registration is required to participate.

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.