Interpreting the U.S. 250th at Your Site: Where to Begin?- Recorded Webinar

Interpreting the U.S. 250th at Your Site: Where to Begin?- Recorded Webinar

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Overview

 The U.S. 250th anniversary, coming up in 2026, is a crucial opportunity to engage the public in the full sweep of American history. But for many history doers, this is easier said than done. How do you interpret the U.S. 250th at your site or organization, especially if you don’t have an obvious connection to the Revolutionary era? Even if you do have a clear tie to the Revolution, how do you make that history relevant to your audiences? This three-part webinar series will offer best practices in interpretive planning, connections to fieldwide themes for the 250th, and the chance to brainstorm your ideas with fellow practitioners. Attendees can choose to attend one session, two, or all three of the series.

This is the first session in the three-part webinar series. This session, led by Max van Balgooy (Engaging Places LLC) and Conny Graft (Conny Graft Research and Evaluation), will focus on the basics of interpretive planning, with an eye toward the 250th. Participants will learn the purpose of interpretive planning, its primary components, and about the planning process itself. 

Details

THIS IS A REOCRDED SESSION. The live session occurred: May 24, 2023

COST: $5

Learning Outcomes: 

After attending this webinar participants will be able to . . .

  • Articulate the promise of the U.S. 250th in relation to interpretive planning.
  • Define the purpose of interpretive planning. 
  • Describe the process of interpretive planning.
  • Develop interpretive goals.
  • Distinguish topics and themes.
  • Feel more confident about developing an interpretive plan.

Webinar Audience

This webinar is open to anyone but will especially help:

  • Staff and volunteers at small and mid-sized institutions
  • History doers with limited interpretive planning experience
  • Planners looking for guidance on how to observe the U.S. 250th anniversary at their site

Recording and Captioning

We will record this event. Captioning through the Zoom client is provided for the live event. If you have any access requirements, please do not hesitate to reach out to Matt Arthur, Professional Development Manger at arthur@aaslh.org

How to Register

Click here for instructions on how to register yourself or another user for this event. 

Max A. van Balgooy

President

Engaging Places LLC

Max A. van Balgooy is co-editor of Reimagining Historic House Museums: New Approaches and Proven Solutions, a new anthology of two dozen essays by leaders in the field, and director of the History Leadership Institute, which provides professional development for mid-career and advanced professionals working in history organizations. These experiences provide a rich source of ideas for Engaging Places LLC, where he blogs occasionally about the opportunities and challenges facing historic sites and house museums. 

Conny Graft

President of Conny Graft Research and Evaluation

Email: Graft6@Gmail.com

Conny Graft is the President of Conny Graft Research and Evaluation. In this position, she works with museums to help them articulate and evaluate their impact and meaningful outcomes for current and potential audiences. Services also include training on interpretive planning, evaluation, and developing interpretive strategies for targeted audiences. She worked at Colonial Williamsburg for twenty-seven years as Director of Interpretive Planning, Director of Interpretive Education, and Evaluation. In addition, she served as President of the Virginia Association of Museums and was on the board of The Visitor Studies Association. She has a B.A. from Bowdoin College in American History. Her clients included The Smithsonian, The National Trust for Historic Preservation, The International Coalition of Sites of Conscience, Mount Vernon, Monticello, Montpelier, The Harriet Beecher Stowe House, The American Association of State and Local History, and history projects in Greece and Spain. She has published her research in the book “Interpreting Slavery at Museums and Historic Sites” and in the book “Reimagining Historic House Museums – New Approaches and Proven Solutions.”


Click here for instructions on how to register yourself or another user for this event. 

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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.