tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2931042383463966050.post6713248039083447889..comments2024-03-28T11:15:57.026-04:00Comments on The Uncataloged Museum: Are County Historical Societies Dinosaurs?Lindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02833927749919826650noreply@blogger.comBlogger31125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2931042383463966050.post-59213889716578106832016-04-23T06:32:29.643-04:002016-04-23T06:32:29.643-04:00Thanks for the post. Im a big fan of the blog, i&#...Thanks for the post. Im a big fan of the blog, i've even put a little bookmark right on the tool bar of my Firefox you'll be happy to find out!<br /><a href="http://www.fossilscentral.com/" rel="nofollow">what is the study of geology</a>Jhon Marshalhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04118920802938626798noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2931042383463966050.post-75969487024993449832015-03-17T05:19:16.828-04:002015-03-17T05:19:16.828-04:00I discovered your site when I was searching for an...I discovered your site when I was searching for an alternate kind of data however <br />I was extremely upbeat and happy to peruse through your website.<br />The data accessible here is extraordinary.Follow this site<br /><a href="http://www.old-glory.net" rel="nofollow">Old Glory Music and Antique</a><br /><a href="http://www.old-glory.net" rel="nofollow">antique</a><br /><a href="http://www.old-glory.net" rel="nofollow">historical society</a><br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13809109232783039541noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2931042383463966050.post-21892623405557313832011-02-12T12:52:03.062-05:002011-02-12T12:52:03.062-05:00Oh btw, I do know how to spell hoe
sorry
HOh btw, I do know how to spell hoe<br /><br />sorry<br /><br />HUnknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10455925611066189578noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2931042383463966050.post-81582194895155022072011-02-12T12:32:16.318-05:002011-02-12T12:32:16.318-05:00The question "Is it that we're more inter...The question "Is it that we're more interested in nostalgia than history?" is certainly what I experience in my life. I come from a "very" historical county in Virginia with history and past passion that literally germinated most of what we hold as "The American Way." When I chat with folk who are "active" in local historical activities, I certainly feel "nostalgia" in their mission more than a realistic assessment of past living. Historical figures become archetypes of ideals rather than "real folk" who were just living their lives. The protectionism around that idealism then starts to express as almost religious fervor for protecting, not the past, but what we "should remember about the past." This falls on deaf ears when the audience is a younger, critically-thinking person, who's current goal in life is making it in the immediate time and space they live in. However, when a "newcomer" or "scholastic outsider" comes to do research or "run things" at the society, the current, and long-time, citizenry also become dubious of motives and take on the same, aforementioned protective attitude and disengage with the society, library, etc. I do think that local historical societies have a long row to how to overcome these factors.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10455925611066189578noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2931042383463966050.post-75086561899921843182010-10-15T12:10:49.978-04:002010-10-15T12:10:49.978-04:00Many of you have probably already read Nina Simon&...Many of you have probably already read Nina Simon's March 2009 blog post on museums that outlive their usefulness, but it makes such a nice companion to this post that I'm providing the link:<br /><br />http://museumtwo.blogspot.com/2009/03/deliberately-unsustainable-business.htmlRainey Tisdalehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15642092658581527543noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2931042383463966050.post-26343788715255810302010-10-07T12:13:23.179-04:002010-10-07T12:13:23.179-04:00I have a couple of observations, coming late I kno...I have a couple of observations, coming late I know, but they haven't yet been mentioned. One aspect worth considering is that in the nation's remote rural areas, the historical society is often the only museum of any kind within reach. This means that the initial impression of what a museum is for many rural children is formed by that primary experience of visiting the historical society. It's important to appreciate the power of these initial impressions since a negative experience will affect the sense of value a person puts on the both the institution and the entire enterprise of history more broadly. We have to ask if the death of the local museum is a loss we're willing to accept for broad reaches of this country, or is this really part and parcel of the economic and population decline we're seeing of non-metro area America. <br /><br />I also think this discussion has ignored the evolution of house museums over time (sometimes the historical society is indistinguishable from a house museum). While it is true that many have become unsustainable, new house museums are opening all the time (the Allman Brothers Band House, the Paul Robeson House, etc.) It seems that all of these institutions begin as civically inspired projects, what changes is the degree of civic relevance these places inspire as the story of the founders recedes in public memory. Each generation requires its own examples, but an antiquarian society has a tough time reframing what it is to suit a changing public. <br /><br />These museums are very nearly always created in a spirit of celebration, which is why they are culturally resistant to questioning narratives (per James Loewen's exhortations here.) In this way they have been more about projecting identity than about interpreting history. Of course bigger state, civic and national history museums labor under the same burdens of...history?Dan Spocknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2931042383463966050.post-2786185414174322652010-10-01T22:41:21.644-04:002010-10-01T22:41:21.644-04:00Thanks everyone, for such great points--James Loew...Thanks everyone, for such great points--James Loewen--thanks particularly--I didn't hear you speak at AASLH but am a huge fan--and I absolutely agree, what makes this places matter is that something happened HERE. That's also a way to make those emotional connections that Pam, an earlier commenter mentioned. <br /> I see two different threads in the comments, which interest me. One is that these places are run by dedicated volunteers but that no one wants to be involved--and those 2 threads are combined with the 2 threads of we want/don't want to be more professional. I've worked with volunteers my whole career and my experiences have been immensely enriched by their dedication and enthusiasm--to say nothing of how much I learned from many of them about life, work and more. That said though, I do see some local history groups who really don't want new people, who by reason, not of price, but perhaps of attitude, cannot be quite welcoming enough to others. That is absolutely changeable, and to succeed for the next generation, must happen. Thanks everyone for such thoughtful comments and I hope you keep reading and sharing your thoughts!Lindahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02833927749919826650noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2931042383463966050.post-4866171049931906822010-10-01T10:23:06.181-04:002010-10-01T10:23:06.181-04:00Very interesting post -- I've distributed it t...Very interesting post -- I've distributed it to our board. Re: event costs. As a free museum, that offers many free events or cost minimal ($5) I disagree with the "elistist" view, expressed by Mr. Bladey. We have one fundraiser a year that charges $$ -- something has to pay the bills. Grants alone, particularly in this economy, won't do the trick.<br /><br />Also: re: MAP. We started MAP 10 years or so ago, but dropped it because there to be seemed little real benefit to us, and the recommendations were completely out of touch with who we were, and our ability or interest in implementing them. The comment about teachers needing to consider why the program fails with the students is on target. On our own we have subsequently undertaken major strategic planning, have a strong collections policy, exhibit and public programming committee, and a working and increasingly effective development committee. <br />And we did hire a professional in the field as our Executive Director.<br /><br />We're fortunate and do not own our building, but have a strong working relationship with our city, which does leases it to us for a minimal fee.<br /><br />In a town with changing demographics, it is a challenge to engage current residents -- but we're working on it.<br /><br />One word of caution to the professionals involved in these discussions -- the people working in these organizations who are "white hairs" are often seasoned and dedicated people with a great deal of community and most importantly, work experience. <br />I've noted when attending meetings like the SMA that there is a tendency to dismiss volunteers by those a little too wrapped up in the "profession." There is little effort to welcome those who are ultimately responsible for an organization or who in the case of small museums who do huge amounts of volunteer work, in these meetings.Karenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06472160518968307973noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2931042383463966050.post-61309866349924006552010-10-01T08:23:51.974-04:002010-10-01T08:23:51.974-04:00I'm sorry to come so late to this discussion. ...I'm sorry to come so late to this discussion. The post makes many good points, to which I would add: in my experience, many -- most -- local historical society museums avoid the controversial aspects of their past. By definition the opposite of controversial is bland, boring. <br /> As I said at AASLH (or should have said -- it was after the banquet! -- if the town for decades was all-white on purpose, as were so many, SAY SO. Tell how. Do good oral history on it. <br /> If the town was divided on the Vietnam War -- as were so many -- then say so. Include good oral history and memorabilia from both sides. <br /> All history is local. The women's movement happened HERE. People from HERE fought in the Civil War, and the town was likely divided between Republicans and "Peace Democrats," a division with deep implications. Etc. <br /> GOOD history is always controversial. Controversial history gets people thinking and coming.James W. Loewenhttp://sundown.afro.illinois.edu/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2931042383463966050.post-3579074428465784612010-10-01T08:13:17.745-04:002010-10-01T08:13:17.745-04:00A great blog should be read by everyone in the fie...A great blog should be read by everyone in the field.<br /><br />The biggest problem here is that there is too much emphasis on the "Society" and not enough on the history.<br /><br />Second is exclusion of the non elite. Look at the costs of events. an any poor person attend? Probably not (yes vast generalization but all of my local society events save one are rather pricey)<br /><br />third<br />There needs to be a division between historic preservation and politics. Societies engage in politics for all the wrong reasons and it becomes an elitist messConrad Bladey (Peasant)https://www.blogger.com/profile/02624605583601317430noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2931042383463966050.post-49367705970740887002010-10-01T08:10:32.582-04:002010-10-01T08:10:32.582-04:00This is a wonderful blog and should be read by eve...This is a wonderful blog and should be read by everyone in the field!<br />The biggest two problems are here<br /><br />1. Most Historical Societies concentrate on Society and neglect the history. You have only to attend an over priced event or banquet to know that poor people and students who lack funds just cant take part. Go to one sit down and see if anyone talks to you- it wont happen. The old guard bless their souls and they are a valid cultural tribe are in the way of most things. The historical society is an interesting cultural entity but most of them buck academic knowledge and historic preservation science. They want to overrule preservationists and put no path in rather than put a correct path in. Simple as that. Leaders of socieites need to simply take up the proper practices and insist on them. They have to remove barriers to membership make things extremely affordable and put new members to work and use their talents. You have to inflict correct practics not defer to the old guard. Leaders of societies must remember that most of the people are not members and for good reasons. Why appease the few inside that are keeping those from outside from entering? Why dismiss skilled people just because they are newcomers.....I could write a book.<br /><br />2. Intrusion of politics. <br />When you go to the hospital and need surgery do you call your local politico or politically attached friend? No. But that is how the Historical Preservation world is operated. Too much political manipulation. The trouble is that societies do not rise above the system but manipulate it themselves often for the wrong reasons- to overrule local preservation agencies or to use historic preservation for personal gain. Districts created for control of neighbors and tax breaks not for preservation. We need to get history and politics divided as church and state.<br /><br />One of the biggest problems is that there is a growing miss match between culture and historic preservation. Much of this is caused by the barriers maintained by the "society" of the historical society. Poor people and students are put off. Historical preservation is not practiced as a lifeway it is presented as an esoteric hobby. There is little access at times to the science of it, the new cutting edges. The solution is more anthropological than political.<br /><br />Yes many societies are doing good things but many more are not. There is a way to sell historic research and preservation and conservation to the public but some of these groups are marching in the wrong direction and unfortunately many would rather die than change.<br /><br />Conrad Bladey<br />cbladey@verizon.net<br />http://www.cbladey.comConrad Bladey (Peasant)https://www.blogger.com/profile/02624605583601317430noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2931042383463966050.post-51419741411387537112010-09-29T20:47:39.805-04:002010-09-29T20:47:39.805-04:00The comment about emotional connection is very acc...The comment about emotional connection is very accurate, I think. As I mentioned in a comment to Linda's second post, we're having a hard time getting the community to connect with us on a deeper level. Maybe it's the emotional component of connection that's missing. People still think of history as being somewhat dry, not matter what we do to try to bring it alive.Pam McGuirenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2931042383463966050.post-18357546828552103512010-09-29T20:11:18.084-04:002010-09-29T20:11:18.084-04:00Thanks Bill, for such thoughtful commentary. It&#...Thanks Bill, for such thoughtful commentary. It's fascinating to hear a similar situation, and one that's been going on equally as long. My concern though, is that these organizations are not being re-seeded with people with new emotional connections. It's rare that I visit a small museum where I don't hear major concerns about involving new people. So the emotional, human connection is with those involved now, but somehow not conveyed to others.Lindahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02833927749919826650noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2931042383463966050.post-41170335970696113992010-09-29T17:35:16.957-04:002010-09-29T17:35:16.957-04:00Back in 1979 I wrote an article about a similar qu...Back in 1979 I wrote an article about a similar question, namely whether humane societies were a nineteenth century relic that would be replaced by 2000 by more professional, better-funded animal control operations which were seemingly taking over the mission of the societies' shelters and services. Obviously that didn't happen, so I've tempered my feelings that, as you've articulated so well, historical societies might befall a similar fate. I suspect that both charities stay alive partially because there's an emotional element that isn't satisfied with some of the modern solutions. An identification with suffering animals or one's local history may motivate personal involvement, since some people aren't satisfied by the idea that some big agency will do something adequate about their cause. That's what re-seeds such charities with concerned amateurs seeking hands-on, small scale solutions they find emotionally satisfying by their terms.Bill Barrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04136167037678615423noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2931042383463966050.post-64030503881867848172010-09-28T10:54:35.696-04:002010-09-28T10:54:35.696-04:00More thoughts to come on all this, but Anonymous (...More thoughts to come on all this, but Anonymous (and fine to do so) I wanted to follow up on yours. I'm been spending some time thinking about training in the museum field and wondering if we're doing it wrong. We've been at it for a long time and we still (me included) bemoan the lack of progress. If we were school teachers, would we be blaming students? I'm not sure what the answer is, but there is that disconnect in all kinds of ways between standards and local organizations...and maybe, just maybe it's our fault as professionals.Lindahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02833927749919826650noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2931042383463966050.post-72332448216766973522010-09-28T10:24:08.672-04:002010-09-28T10:24:08.672-04:00First, please pardon the anonymous post. I serve i...First, please pardon the anonymous post. I serve in leadership with museum service organizations, have 20+ years in small museums, and have served as a MAP reviewer for small museums, so I prefer that my comments be taken as mine, and not representative of an organization. <br /><br />That lengthy disclaimer notwithstanding: many small museums don't consider themselves "professional" organizations, but comprised of people who love their community and express it through the local historical society. Others do so through Scouts, arts groups, sports, Boys/Girls clubs, etc. So we're talking less about the museum field as much as we're talking about local community service, in one of its many forms. <br /><br />Yet, these organizations are looking for that professional museum help more often than is indicated in this blog. <br /><br />There are an increasing number of standards-teaching tools that are much more user-friendly than was AAM's accreditation process in the past. I know, I went through it for a small museum. It took nine years. Even AAM is now completely retooling the system, because so few museums opted to go through the process. <br /><br />These new standards programs are designed to give leaders in small organizations more confidence to complete these tasks/goals, and then to move on to the next level as they are capable. <br /><br />The museum studies field and small museums can also make mutually beneficial arrangements. For example: these small organizations can't pay for a museum-studies graduate to serve as director (and they also sense that these students see the site as a first career step and then move on), so why don't museum studies programs partner with these local groups to provide those needed services as part of a class project or internship? There are other possibilities for service; this is just one idea. <br /><br />So, could we do less to label the small museum, and instead do more to discover ways to serve them, to collaborate for the good of saving the community's history?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2931042383463966050.post-42833206923356863752010-09-24T18:46:42.223-04:002010-09-24T18:46:42.223-04:00Dear Linda,
your blog post is so timely! I'm ...Dear Linda, <br />your blog post is so timely! I'm currently a first year graduate student and one of the first projects that my class is assigned to do is recommend whether a local historical society should be chartered as a museum since it has a collection. I will definitely show this blog to my fellow group members and use it as a resource to help us define some of the points we hope to recommend to this society. Thanks for the post!Tramiahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08632543762664508073noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2931042383463966050.post-2077068363921253902010-09-24T07:50:29.335-04:002010-09-24T07:50:29.335-04:00These are all great comments and, based upon my ow...These are all great comments and, based upon my own experience with small historical societies, right on the money. However, I find it interessting that none mentioned the role of these institutions as centers for civic engagement. I have always felt that historical societies have a unique opportunity as "safe places" to be the site for communities to discuss present issues and challenges within the context of of the past. So, how appropriate that I found this post alongside a link to a recent study that between 2008 and 2009 58% of Americans engaged in "civic engagement."Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05108358681366351412noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2931042383463966050.post-85846090050163295662010-09-23T20:40:24.760-04:002010-09-23T20:40:24.760-04:00@johnverrill - it seems like there are 3 kinds of ...@johnverrill - it seems like there are 3 kinds of local history museums. 1) those that have got their act together and do very well adapting to economic woes much like their larger counterparts, 2) those that have professionalized but lack the support base due to many years of unclear direction, and 3) those that operate on a shoestring that are never affected by the economy because they are too small to suffer adverse affects. It is category two that seem at the most risk because of unsettled stakeholder buy-in. <br /><br />From a survey conducted in 2008, the average annual gross income/gross square foot of facility breaks down this way: 1) $18 and higher, 2) $10-$15, and 3) $8 or less. Linda is correct that too many local organizations have an unsustainable footprint because they literally took everything. <br /><br />I would argue that it is in the best interest of state historical organizations to do what they can to foster county historical organizations in each of their counties. 1) this is a manageable number in many states (not sure about Texas with 254, but in MN with 87 or OH with 88 this seems achieveable), 2) having this kind of network will help get the state history organization into all parts of its state, which should help with development and legislatively, and 3) such a network will absorb history work that would otherwise be left to the state to do or not cared for at all, much like wetlands preserve the integrity of healthy rivers.<br /><br />To do all that, a state historical organization would be well served from a cost efficiency standpoint to develop a Field Services program. See www.aaslh.org/FSA for more details.David Grabitskehttp://www.mnhs.org/lhsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2931042383463966050.post-45685283233645859582010-09-20T18:03:51.449-04:002010-09-20T18:03:51.449-04:00This is a really interesting, insightful post. I&#...This is a really interesting, insightful post. I've never worked at a museum, but am currently in a museum studies program and hope to have a long-lasting career in the field one day. I think it's really important to stress that younger generations are often coming from a different place than older generations -- they're taught with different methods and think in different ways. In the era of video games, movies, and TV shows where single shots don't last more than a second or two, museums and other public educational institutes need to find a way to interest and engage these younger generations. After all, as time passes, they will be all that's left. <br /><br />As much as I love the nostalgia aspect of museums and historical societies, I also want to see new things that seem to actively pull me in and take me on a journey. We're living in a world of change -- we should learn to embrace that and make the most of it! I'm sure there's not enough money to keep everything constantly rotating, but stagnation will just not do in our present (and future!) society.Morgannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2931042383463966050.post-68925449317883804282010-09-20T16:04:46.790-04:002010-09-20T16:04:46.790-04:00Great comments, thank you all--Bobbie--unfortunate...Great comments, thank you all--Bobbie--unfortunately sounds like your former place fell into the same boat--they won't just come...and Lucy...think your model about all those visitors at the county fair is a great one...and of course, anywhere could do that without having a permanent physical place. John, my apologies, but I think just plodding on is not good enough. And I actually see many places with trained staff as problematic and sometimes the really energetic all volunteer museums are going at a much faster, more engaged pace. M.M., thanks for finding relevance from my NY experience and Robert, so interesting about the intersection between Native American pre-history and the neighborhood--great to see both connect. Lissa--of course the Catskills are near and dear to me, and I think their history organizations are notably, and sadly, weak. I'll try and think and write some more about online best practices for history organizations...<br />Thanks all for such a stimulating Monday!Lindahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02833927749919826650noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2931042383463966050.post-60888033900281888532010-09-20T15:49:46.264-04:002010-09-20T15:49:46.264-04:00Thanks for this, Linda.
I blogged about this at ...Thanks for this, Linda. <br /><br />I blogged about this at our Catskills-area local news site, the Watershed Post:<br /><br />http://www.watershedpost.com/2010/historical-societies-headed-scrap-heap<br /><br />I think the "build it and they will come" attitude isn't limited to physical buildings. Lots of promising online projects get started, only to peter out after the first flush of enthusiasm wears off. (It's a fate we ourselves fervently hope to avoid.) <br /><br />Would love to hear more of your thoughts about "best practices" for history-oriented online projects.Lissa Harrishttp://www.watershedpost.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2931042383463966050.post-75062938782103237062010-09-20T15:27:20.127-04:002010-09-20T15:27:20.127-04:00I'm here via MuseumL. Thanks for this post. ...I'm here via MuseumL. Thanks for this post. I've been working with a number of small local historical societies and museums in my quest to start a freelance curatorial business, and all of these points are right on the money from my point of view.<br /><br />Sadly.M. M. Justushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10695486138971352978noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2931042383463966050.post-16340102727251394222010-09-20T15:06:58.093-04:002010-09-20T15:06:58.093-04:00These are all good points, but local historical so...These are all good points, but local historical societies and very small museums despite their lack of forward thinking continue to plod on. They seem to have ups and downs depending on the energy of one or two people who take leadership roles. They do serve to secure and preserve the history of one small localized community. That rusty sadiron or that exhibit in the basement may inspire some young person to become interested in history and use that interest to serve others. All museums and historical societies cannot be led by museum professionals or even energetic board members, they may not follow the standards of care that we as professionals expect<br />but they can serve to preserve the stories, the culture and the history of a small community. Let's hope that these entities continue on like the crocodile as "living" dinosaurs.johnverrillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00125367102389957607noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2931042383463966050.post-82277937415963286592010-09-20T14:25:12.403-04:002010-09-20T14:25:12.403-04:00Thanks for this Linda. and also Bobbie for your co...Thanks for this Linda. and also Bobbie for your comments that mirror much of my experience.<br /> I'm a retired professional working for a County Historical Society in California that is currently without resources to pay staff. We have all of these six factors in a greater or lesser degree. I've forwarded this to our Board Members and I hope this will spur our creative thinking.<br /> The concept of 'disconnect' rang especially true for me. While research using our Archives is booming, we struggle to get people to attend events at our museum. And recently, in collaboration with some other local historical societies we mounted a large 2000 sq. ft. exhibit at the County Fair. In 5 days over 2,100 people entered the exhibit space and spent time looking. They became very engaged, and some came back several times. It became clear to me that our struggles are not because the people out there have lost interest in history! It appears that we have to find more ways to make history available to them besides expecting them to come to us.Lucy Sperlinnoreply@blogger.com