2022 Annual Conference

The Future of History: Looking Past the Pandemic Toward New Ways of Working

Monday, June 6, 2022  |  Wethersfield, CT

REGISTER

After two years of virtual replacements, the CLHO Annual Conference is back and in person, and we can't wait to see you. This year, we will be hosted in historic Old Wethersfield by our friends at the Webb-Deane-Stevens Museum and the Wethersfield Historical Society, with the support of the Wethersfield Historical Commission/Historic Wethersfield.

We are grateful to our lead sponsor for this year's conference, the William G. Pomeroy Foundation.

           

Conference Schedule

Schedule at a Glance

8:00: Registration Opens, Museum Marketplace Opens
9:00–10:00: Breakout Session I (5 choices)
10:00–10:30: Coffee Break
10:30–11:30: Breakout Session II (5 choices)
11:45–12:45: Boxed Lunch with optional informal topical breakouts
1:00–2:00: Plenary Panel
2:15–3:15: Breakout Session III (5 choices)
3:15–3:30: Coffee Break
3:30–4:30: Breakout Session IV (5 choices)
5:00: Closing Reception

The program has been laid out and is ready for viewing.  You can check out a complete PDF of the program here.

Keynote

This year's plenary session will feature a panel discussion among statewide history, humanities, arts, and culture leaders, with opportunity for questions and conversation.

Relevance, Resilience, and Readiness: Forging a Sustainable Future for History Organizations in Connecticut

Frank Mitchell, Curatorial Adviser, Toni N. & Wendell C. Harp Historical Museum, moderator
Jason Mancini, Executive Director, Connecticut Humanities
Elizabeth Shapiro, Director of Arts, Preservation, and Museums, CT DECD
Amrys Williams, Executive Director, Connecticut League of History Organizations

This moderated panel discussion will offer inspiration, direction, and insight into statewide ideas and strategies as we consider the future of history and the cultural sector in Connecticut. At a moment of ample funding from the state legislature and the federal government, what should museums be doing now to plan for the future? What have we learned from the pandemic, and what lessons should we take forward? Where are we still struggling as a sector, and as institutions? How do we move toward greater resilience? What should our larger strategy be, and what can individuals and organizations do to support our common goals?  For the plenary session, we will come together as a conference to rise above the day-to-day demands of our jobs and make space for the strategic thinking that can lead to a better future for our organizations and our field.

Conference Theme

Our conference theme is "The Future of History: Looking Past the Pandemic Toward New Ways of Working." We invite proposals for sessions engaging with the many ways our work has transformed over the past two years and how we will move forward. Read the full call for session proposals here. You can also download a PDF of the call for proposals, which includes a full description of the conference theme.

Getting Here

Sessions will be held at the Webb-Deane-Stevens Museum (211 Main Street) and the Wethersfield Historical Society's Keeney Center (200 Main Street),  located across the street from one another in the heart of Old Wethersfield.

Registration will be located in the Webb Barn behind the Webb-Deane-Stevens Museum. Please enter through the main museum entrance and follow signs through the building toward the Webb Barn. You may also follow the driveway adjacent to the museum back to the barn.

Directions

As our host sites are located across the street from one another, you may follow directions to either location. Point your GPS to 211 or 200 Main Street, Wethersfield, CT.

Directions to the Webb-Deane-Stevens Museum

Directions to the Wethersfield Historical Society

Parking

Free parking is available adjacent to the two museum sites.

• There is a public parking lot just behind the Keeney Center, located at 200 Main Street.
• Overflow public parking is available at the Firehouse, located at 171 Main Street.
• Additional parking is available on the street.
• Exhibitors may park on the Webb-Deane-Stevens museum grounds in back of the Webb Barn.
  

Parking map

Conference Exhibitors

Our conference's Museum Marketplace features organizations and vendors from around the region. Be sure to check out all they have to offer.

Arcadia Publishing
Awaken the Forest Within
CCSU Public History Program
Connecticut Digital Archive
CT Humanities
Connecticut State Library
Connecticut Valley Baskets
Northeast Document Conservation Center

Conference Sponsors

CLHO is grateful for the support of all our conference sponsors.

Constitution State

William G. Pomeroy Foundation

Charter Oak

Capture Visual Marketing, Connecticut Explored, Stanley-Whitman House

Nutmeg

Express Strategies, Fine Art Security Transport, Charter Oak Scanning & Digitization

Acorn

Florence Griswold Museum
MuseumTastic
R.J Aley Building Contractor
John Canning & Co.
Level Fine Art Services
Godfrey Memorial Library

Tote Bag Sponsor: Barker Specialty

Door Prize Sponsor: Jas. Townsend & Son, Inc.

Masks: Shoreline Arts Alliance, Rossi Family Foundation