Programs

2010 Spring Professional Basics
Professional Basics Brochure (PDF)
During three intensive seminars, leaders in the museum field will guide you  through lectures, discussions, and hands-on activities that will provide you with the tools you need to build upon or strengthen your knowledge of best museum practices.

Presented by the Connecticut League of History Organizations (CLHO), Professional Basics will help you network with colleagues from around the state. Faculty are practicing professionals from public history organizations across Connecticut and all are in tune with the needs of small institutions. Each enrolled seminar participant will receive a CD of resources for future reference (think green!).

To receive the full benefit of the series, you or your institution should enroll for the entire program. Institutions may choose to send a different staff member or volunteer to each of the seminars. For those who are unable to attend all three sessions, there is an option of registering for individual days.

Enrollment is on a first-come, first-served basis. Space is limited and previous hot topics have been sold out! Tuition includes seminar, lunch, and related materials.


March 22
Making the Most of Your Library
We will revisit one of the most popular subjects in PB history, libraries within historic
sites, addressing topics essential for research and genealogy. This includes ways to manage archives, ways to reach genealogists who do research in your library, and ways to manage library conservation on a limited budget. Speakers will include: Linda Hocking, archivist, Litchfield Historical Society; Melissa Wattersworth, curator of literary, natural history and rare book collections, Dodd Research Center, UCONN; and Ryan Woods, director of education, New England Historic Genealogical Society.

April 12
Old Site, New Thoughts: Marketing Your Historic Property
We will examine different approaches to financial sustainability and marketing through topics such as improving marketing initiatives, utilizing special anniversaries and celebrations to spark interest at your site, and rethinking usage of your space to
generate new foot traffic and new audiences. Speakers will include: Christine Ermenc, executive director, Windsor Historical Society; Tammi Flynn, director of marketing, Florence Griswold Museum; Sarah Griswold, assistant curator, Gunn Museum; and Margaret Longey, director of marketing and special events, Wethersfield Historical Society.

April 26
Playing to the Strength of Your Collections
We will address three collection management hot topics: preservation vs. interpretation— curators and educators working together to showcase your collections; maintenance vs. public presentation—practical how-to approach to keeping your collections clean and safe for public viewing, includes developing a cyclical site maintenance plan and a product and resources guide; and albatross or asset—using “legacy collections” to highlight your site’s unique collections. Day includes a visit to a nearby house museum for hands-on learning and on-site instruction. Speakers will include: Cynthia Cormier, director of education and curatorial services, Hill-Stead Museum; Beth Giard, collections manager, Harriet Beecher Stowe Center; and Richard Malley, head of collections, Connecticut Historical Society

Professional Basics Seminar Series: $125
(Same low price – same great value!)
Individual days: $50 each
Please make your reservations by March 15.

All seminars are scheduled for Mondays in March and April from 9:30 am to 4:00 pm at the Keeney Memorial Cultural Center, 200 Main Street, Wethersfield, CT 06109.

Directions:
Exit 26 off of I-91; follow the winding roads to the first stop sign and turn left onto Main Street. Keeney Center is the third building on the left; parking in rear. For site directions: call day of seminars: (860) 529-7161

For a printable copy of the brochure with mail in form, click here. (the brochure pdf is attached)

Questions? Email: sandy@clho.org or call: (203) 624-9186
Funding for Professional Basics come from a grant from the Connecticut Humanities Council.  Thank you!

2010 Annual Conference
Save the Date!
“Bring On the Drama— Costumed Interpretation and Theatrical Performance at Historic Sites”
And
CLHO 60th Anniversary Celebration
Monday, June 7, 2010
The Old State House, Hartford

At the Annual Conference, CLHO would like to promote the concept of interactive theater and costumed interpreters to our constituents in order that they may obtain inspiring, beneficial ideas and resources to reverse the trend of declining visitation at their sites.  To make that connection for our attendees, the first keynote will feature Dale Jones, an independent museum consultant. As the Director for the Baltimore City Life Museums, he pioneered the use of theatrical costumed interpretive programs as the sole interpretive offering for their historic sites.   

The second keynote presenter will be Tom Kelleher, research historian at Old Sturbridge Village. An excellent practitioner of the art of first-person interpretation, known for his story-telling and humor, Tom will portray two different persons from the past—changing from one to the other during the performance—demonstrating the effectiveness of this form of presentation.

Three afternoon concurrent sessions will feature presentations from Connecticut historical societies and museums that have used costumed interpretive programs to engage new audiences.

The finale of the day is the annual presentation of the Awards of Merit.  These awards honor outstanding institutional and individual projects that enhance and further the understanding of Connecticut history while highlighting current professional museum standards.  Awardees, their families, friends, and associates from their respective organizations are invited to attend the awards presentation and celebrate their achievements and Connecticut’s extraordinary history.  After the Awards of Merit presentation, there will be a special CLHO 60th anniversary celebration reception.  The anniversary party will feature an anniversary cake, sparkling wine, balloons, and decorations in the ‘diamond white” anniversary color.  Come help us celebrate six decades of serving CT’s history community!

Tentative Program Agenda

CLHO Annual Conference – June 7, 2010 – The Old State House
Bring on the Drama ~
Costumed Interpretation and Theatrical Performance at Historic Sites

9:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.   Registration & Morning Refreshments

9:30 a.m.                     Welcome & Introductions
                                                Priscilla Brendler, CLHO executive director
                                                Sally Whipple, CLHO president

9:45 a.m.                     CLHO Business Meeting
                                                Sally Whipple, CLHO president
                                                Sharing Member Survey Results

10:00 a.m.                   Keynote Address with Dale Jones, Making History Connections

11:00 a.m.                   Dramatic Presentation with Tom Kelleher, Old Sturbridge Village

12:00 p.m.                   Box Lunch/Opportunity to visit Old State House

CONCURRENT SESSIONS

1:00 p.m.                     Concurrent Sessions I (choose one)

A. Museum Drama: Working with an Outside Producer
    Kandie Carle & East Haddam Historical Society

B. Character Creation
    Rebecca Bayreuther Donohue, Mystic Seaport

2:00 p.m.                     Concurrent Sessions II (choose one)

A. “Tea with Miss Perkins”
    Edward Baker & Jennifer Emerson, NLCHS

B. Costuming the Characters
    Penny Havard, Independent Costumer/Dressmaker

3:00 p.m.                     Concurrent Sessions III (choose one)

A. “Hits of the 60s (1860s)” Recreating a Singing Society
    Chris Dobbs, Noah Webster House & West Hartford HS;     Rick Spencer, Franklin Historical Society

B. “The Starkweather Murder Trial”
    Robert Richter and Old State House Staff

4:00 p.m.                     Awards of Merit & CLHO 60th Anniversary Celebration

Chris Dobbs, CLHO awards chair
Priscilla Brendler, CLHO executive director

60th Anniversary reception to follow…

CLHO has maintained last year’s registration fee in light of the current economic climate. The 2010 Annual Conference fee is $35.00 CLHO members - $45.00 non-members. This includes morning refreshments, lunch, and the Awards of Merit reception.
Tickets will go on sale in March, so save the date!  Questions?  Email: sandy@clho.org or call: (203) 624-9186. 

Out & About