September 18 , 2008
Museum Conference, Independence, October 3-4
"Cutting Edge Strategies for Museums" is coming up fast, and we're excited to see how communities have responded. In one town that has several museums, the Convention and Visitors Bureau is underwriting the cost of attendance. Great idea!
Even if you can only come for one day, I strongly recommend that you do so. We've gone all-out to bring in presenters who can inspire you to immediately improve visitor experiences and relationships with schools.
Our featured presenters are leaders in the field from the Conner Prairie Living History Museum in Indiana and the Virginia Association of Museums. Our program also includes break-out sessions with curriculum specialists from Kansas and Missouri to help participants apply what they learn in plenary sessions. Here's the conference program.
I've posted a conference announcement and registration form on our web site. It's affordable, and I hope irresistible! I hope to see you there!
Creating Interest in a Museum
My Blog is up and running again after a month off, and I've included a piece called "Giving Something Full Value." It's an observation of how I create interest for myself when I'm a visitor, and how a museum can create a lot more interest by thinking more fully about the potential of a single "special thing" in the exhibits. My example concerns musical instruments, bugles and guitars, but there are also opportunities galore for museums that display parlor organs, pianos, or photographs of the town band.
Smithsonian "Museum on Main Street" Applications
The touring exhibits that we broker in partnership with the Smithsonian Institution remain a phenomenon of community energy! We began training people in the towns hosting "New Harmonies" last May, and already people are talking about how "the whole community" is engaged in creating activities that won't start until next Spring.
In 2010 we're going to have a second tour of "New Harmonies: American Roots Music." We're also going to tour an exhibit titled "Journey Stories." The deadline for communities to apply for either of these opportunities is December 30, 2008. We've posted an application form and exhibit descriptions for you to download if you're interested.
Boys - Their Development as Readers
Julie Douglas has written a piece this month about the ways boys are "falling behind" in every category of development, everywhere, including my desk! She has written about boys' taste in books in a way that makes me wonder if I should protest or agree.
I certainly remember reading a book about World War II bombing missions when I was in fifth or sixth grade. I even remember the title: Barry Blake of the Flying Fortress. I just looked it up and see it was published in 1943. I also remember a realistic novel of juvenile fiction about the gunfight at the OK corral. I suppose that puts an end to my protestations. I was a typical boy, though I was never into gross-out literature.
Have a look at Julie's insights into boy development, and think of what books you'll look for when next on a shopping spree.
Announcing the 2008 Governor's Humanities Awards
On October 22 in the Governor's Mansion in Jefferson City, we will recognize a variety of people whose achievement in writing, teaching, or community heritage stands as an example of the best. We will also recognize the prize-winning students in National History Day, and their teachers. National History Day is shepherded in Missouri by the State Historical Society and Western Historical Manuscripts Collection at Mizzou, our partners in bestowing recognition. The awardees are listed on our Governor's Awards Web Page
