Small Museums, Important Collections - Day 1 - Plenary: Collections and Community: The Heart and Soul of Small Museums

Nearly all museums large and small have physical collections, but what often sets small museum collections apart is their close ties and relevance to their contemporary communities. Small museum collections tell stories of family, adversity, and joy, often in the communities where these events took place and with the people themselves or their descendants. The personal becomes public, and artifacts, no matter how commonplace, become symbols of universal human stories.

Join us for a moderated discussion with three small museum recipients of AASLH's Leadership in History Awards to discuss how their projects worked creatively with collections to strengthen community ties, build cultural bridges, and cement their places as essential memory-keepers. Attendees will learn to use their collections in new ways, connect personal artifacts to national histories, and discuss strategies for working with stakeholder communities.

Moderated by Bethany Hawkins, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, AASLH.

Panelists:

• Kyra March, Museum Tour Coordinator, Stoutsburg Sourland African American Museum, Skillman, New Jersey (The Head that Wears the Crown: Black Women’s Headwear from Slavery to Freedom)
• Alexis Hickey, College Archivist and Head of Special Collections, Whitman College, Walla Walla, Washington (Picturing Family: Métis Life in the Walla Walla Valley)
• Sarah Hurlburt, Professor of French and Francophone Studies, Whitman College, Walla Walla, Washington (Picturing Family: Métis Life in the Walla Walla Valley)
• Gigi Yang, Museum Services Supervisor, Louisville Historical Museum, Louisville, Colorado (Marshall Fire Story Project)

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.