March 2013
1 post
3 tags
Hello again my friends!
Long time, no blog! This week I am back in the land of my graduate program for the MAALHFAM conference, and am going to use it as a way to jump back into the blog. I hope in my absence you have all been well!
November 2012
1 post
4 tags
January is going to rock
So it turns out that the Emancipation focused traveling exhibit we were supposed to get at the end of December was destroyed during Sandy. Instead, they are sending us an exhibit about the history of freedom in the United States. Primarily, it runs from the Revolution to the Civil War, with a conclusion that follows through to the 1960’s.
To supplement the traveling exhibit, I’ve...
October 2012
5 posts
Is everyone safe?
We had very little wind or rain last night at our house. My museum today is still getting quite a bit of wind, but so far we have survived with no damage. We’re all thanking our lucky stars. I hope and pray that all of you are safe and sound, and that your institutions were as lucky as ours.
4 tags
If your museum collection is impacted by Sandy →
Call AIC’s 24-hour assistance number at 202.661.8068 for advice by phone.
Call 202.661.8068 to arrange for a team to come to the site to complete damage assessments and help with salvage organization.
“AIC-CERT volunteers have provided assistance and advice to dozens of museums, libraries, and archives since 2007. AIC-CERT teams were on the ground following Tropical Storm Irene and...
4 tags
My faith in humanity is restored
We just got a whole envelope full of thank you notes from the kids that came to visit last week. They are quite literally the cutest things you have ever seen. Lots of pictures of our sheep Badger, mentions of the butter making, blacksmith, and learning about the Mohawk. Guys, these seriously are adorable. I’m going to hang them up around my office
4 tags
3 tags
50%
I think I have had my first kick in the bright and shiny rainbows and puppies. I have an automatically updating news feed on my homepage, and made sure to add in local events once I got this job. I think it is important to understand what’s going on in the community, and to decide how we need to adjust what we do to better serve them.
Now, some background. The community I live in, and the...
September 2012
3 posts
4 tags
Happy Constitution Day! →
Are you going to watch the NEH’s event about the Emancipation Proclamation and its impact on the Constitution?
4 tags
A History of New York (City) in 50 Objects →
I think this is an excellent example of online exhibits, and will even let slide the lack of mention that it is about NYC, not the state at large. This could be a really great way to introduce visitors to your particular topic in history or site.
3 tags
An Update
Apologies, dearest readers! I went from a crazy/fun/busy summer internship to an even crazier/busier/more fun real, grownup, “big girl” job. Tomorrow will be the end of my third week, and I can tell you that it is going to be really challenging but I think very rewarding. Here’s a rundown of really only a small fraction of what I’ve done so far:
Helped set-up and staff a...
August 2012
13 posts
3 tags
Start my new job today!!
2 tags
Apologies
Hello dear readers. I want to take a quick moment to apologize to you. I had what we will lightly call an awful week, and this was the ball that got dropped. I will honestly say I am not too sorry, as that meant there were personal life and professional life balls that I kept in the air, but I do feel bad.
Specifically, I apologize for never following through on the Olympics posts. I had a number...
5 tags
Last day of my internship. Come October, all of you with iPads had better buy my (FREE) book!
Did I mention it will be free?
5 tags
“I would prefer a different picture that I can’t make.”
– Little girl, featured in MoMA’s Unadulterated tour which features the unfiltered opinions of children ages 3 through 10. (via shellvetica)
This is one of the best and funniest things I’ve seen in awhile, and I think it is a really great way to help people connect to modern art. I highly...
3 tags
4 tags
So Curiosity stuck the landing. I wonder if the Russians will give it full marks.
3 tags
Last Day to Nominate Your Favorite Museum for the... →
4 tags
1 tag
“Unfortunately I am out of touch today and getting ready to go into a small-town...”
– One of the contacts for my book, on why I won’t be able to reach him by cell phone this afternoon
4 tags
3 tags
When Jared Diamond Took Mitt Romney to School →
museomike:
politicalprof:
Don’t misrepresent Guns, Germs and Steel, Mitt. Dr. Diamond is in the house. Link from the New York Times.
“Mitt Romney may become our next president. Will he continue to espouse one-factor explanations for multicausal problems, and fail to understand history and the modern world? If so, he will preside over a declining nation squandering its advantages of location...
2 tags
“There is a need for museums to stay relevant and be responsive to pressing...”
– Lynda Kelly, Measuring the impact of museums on their communities: The role of the 21st century museum (via galleriaderojo)
3 tags
Don't Forget to Nominate Your Favorites For the... →
The more institutions on the list, the more interesting all of this will be. So get nominating!
July 2012
30 posts
6 tags
19th Century Gatorade
I just have to share the most recent ALHFAM listserv discussion, as it has been both hilarious and informative. The big topic of conversation has been how to keep interpretive staff safe during the lovely 100+ degree weather many of us in the States have been enjoying.
Initially, the topic covered levels of dress, and how “undressed” it was appropriate for staff members to get on the...
4 tags
The first chapter for the iPad textbook I’m writing is off to the editor.
Gulp.
Chapter 3 will be finished by tomorrow, then I’ve got about a week to write the second one. Not in order, I know, but it makes sense to write them this way I promise!
Anonymous asked: How can I receive an answer to a previously sent question?
Nominate the 2012 Museum Olympic Contenders! →
5 tags
On My Graduate Program →
Since I started this blog, I’ve received a number of questions about where I went to school, what it was like, and if I recommended the program for others. And, as much as I’m sure all of you love what I have to say, it is nice to hear another perspective sometimes.
One of my “first years”, who is now a second year but was a first year when I was a second year and so in my...
3 tags
2012 Museum Olympic Set-Up
Alright folks, so here is what I was thinking for how to make this work. I want to ensure that people have enough time to read and think of who should go in what category, and I know that not everyone spends all day reading on the internet. So, this weekend will be devoted to ensuring that the categories for competition will work.
Then Monday the 30th through Sunday the 5th will be nominations....
2 tags
3 tags
The 2012 Museum Olympics
In honor of one of my absolute favorite events that happens on a four year rotation, I thought I’d see who you think are the best museums around. I want to start first by figuring out what areas we will be competing in. Please, I’d love to hear your feedback! What am I missing?
Overall Best
Art Museum
History Museum
Historic Site
Nature Site
Living History Museum
Natural History...
5 tags
4 tags
Tragedy in the Living History Museum Community →
7 year old boy was killed yesterday while volunteering with his father at the Beamish Steam Museum. He and his father were riding on a traction engine when he fell and was crushed.
I have had the opportunity to work with a number of young volunteers, and I can only imagine how devastating this must be. They all bring such vibrancy and enthusiasm to what we do, and it is horrible to think of...
5 tags
Don Larsen to sell famous uniform after requesting... →
Definitely a painful lesson in why we need to make sure our collections and acquisition policies are very firmly laid out and written down. Gone are the days of exchanging artifacts with a handshake.
4 tags
IMLS Updates Granting Process →
Good information for any of us that will be applying for IMLS grants in the coming year. Here are some highlights:
Grants are now under 2 umbrella categories, Museums for America and National Leadership Grants for Museums.
No restrictions on the number of grants an institution can apply for
Simplifications to the application and documentation required
FY2014’s deadline will be moved,...
4 tags
“She inspired generations of young girls to reach for the stars.”
– President Obama on the passing of Sally Ride (via barackobama)
5 tags
5 tags
The Cost of Digitization
One museum professional makes sure to budget $4 for every gig of data being digitized and put up onlone. This covers staff time, server space, and online maintenance.
It is also important to realize that putting your collection online is a beginning, not an end. The more you put online, the more people will want to see. Putting your collection online opens you up to researchers around the world,...
4 tags
“You often hear people talk about how technology is so “engaging” for kids. But...”
– Sylvia Martinez,
Engagement Responsibility and Trust - Generation Yes Blog
(via coolcatteacher)
Yes, we need to think more about this.
(via wincherella)
This is why science centers/museums and childrens museums are unfortunately not as engaging as they’d like to be. Pulling levers and...
2 tags
“When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say...”
– Fred Rogers (via dearworld)
In the face of scary dangerous things happening in the world I always come back to these words from Mr. Rogers.
(via enjoli)
Still one of the best humans mankind has ever produced.
(via whineandbeer)
Anonymous asked: Hello,I have been trying to locate a living relative of President Zachary Taylor. Please tell me that I have succeeded. Many years ago my parents, Hans and Betty Huber had a resort on Nagawicka Lake, Delafield, WI - just west of Milwaukee. Friends/customers (Name unknown) said they were related to Zachary Taylor & had many items of his in a garage. My dad had a gun the gentleman wanted so...
7 tags
3 tags
Survey: Social media use in archives and special... →
thelifeguardlibrarian:
ex-tabulis:
Librarians, archivists, and information professionals of tumblr! I am researching social media use in archives and special collections, and part of my project is to send out a survey to archives and special collections about their current practices. I would appreciate it so much if you could re-blog and/or send this link around! More details if you click...
5 tags
I Side With: Which presidential politicians do you... →
Very interesting and useful quiz that helps you see which candidate matches your opinions the most closely. I’m 83% with Obama, which doesn’t surprise me at all, but it also matches you with Romney and several third party leaders. I was surprised to see where I didn’t agree with Obama, and in fact some places where my beliefs were more in line with the Green or other third...
5 tags
So my boss for the summer is heavily involved in the Isaak Walton League, which is having their annual meeting here in Lincoln. Today’s keynote speaker is Douglas Brinkley, talking about his book The Wilderness Warrior: Theodore Roosevelt and the Crusade for America.
And guess whose boss gave her a free ticket to go?
Mine did! I love Roosevelt (who doesn’t?) and environmental...
4 tags
5 tags
Chronicling America: Digitized American Newspapers... →
This is by far one of the best resources I have come across so far this summer. In fact, I am kicking myself for not knowing about it earlier. The site features digitized, searchable newspapers from 25 states and the District of Columbia. That’s right, they are searchable. So, if I’m trying to find a specific person, place, or event that might have been written up in the paper, all I...
6 tags
History Education Resource: Calisphere →
Although we may not live in California, and our particular museum’s may not tell a story related directly to Californian history, this resource was too good for me to not share.
As a brief part of the work I’m doing this summer, I was looking for some primary source documents from the 1849 Gold Rush, just something quick to plug in for more background and visual interest. So, off to...
5 tags
8 tags
My Summer Project
First off, I’m sorry that I haven’t written much lately. Things have been a bit chaotic, but really wonderful.
This summer, I’m in the land of the Cornhuskers. Makes my Cyclone blood boil a little bit, but I’m wearing my cardinal and gold every chance I get.
The state’s Education Department has seen a movement away from laptops and towards iPads, and wanted to be...
