Pennsylvania’s cultural community is rich and diverse.  Museums, galleries, zoos, science centers, visitor centers, historic sites, monuments, parks, libraries, archives, and educational institutions contribute to a new economy of ideas in the Commonwealth.  We invite you to join together with us for our 2012 conference at the U.S. Army Heritage and Education Center in Carlisle, April 2-3, to share best practices in advocacy, economic and community development, education, and cultural tourism.

For more information and the conference schedule click here.  Registration is here (PDF).

Cordrey’s book, Juliette Gordon Low: The Remarkable Founder of the Girl Scouts, is receiving national attention for telling the complete life story of the vibrant and headstrong woman who brought the Girl Scouts of the USA into existence and touched the lives of millions of girls and women.

Wednesday, March 7
6:30 to 8 p.m.
Campus Center, main level, Multi-Purpose Room

Register for the event here.

Historian Joe Becton (audio) will present his research on the history of the 1st Rhode Island Regiment of the Continental Army.  The 1st Rhode Island was known as the “Black Regiment.”  The Rhode Island legislature, faced with dwindling recruitment numbers, extended enlistment (and freedom) to “able-bodied” slaves.  In his research, Becton has identified 287 members of the unit.

The program will focus on Pennsylvania and Rhode Island in particular.

Additionally, Congressman Chaka Fattah, who serves as an Honorary Co-Chair on the FWWIC Advisory Council, will be recognized for his contributions to the creation of a new seven hundred mile National Historic Trail.  In 2009, Congressman Fattah co-sponsored the legislation that created the trail, which runs from Boston, Massachusetts to Yorktown, Virginia.

Joseph DiBello, the National Park Service Superintendent for the Washington Rochambeau Revolutionary Route (W3R) National Historic Trail, will present the new brochures and maps at the FWWIC.

For more information, see the flyer below (a few clicks are necessary), or call 215-685-0723

National History Day had its beginnings at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio, but now operates in all fifty states, Washington D.C., U.S. territories. There are international endeavors as well, with expansion into Europe, China, Indonesia, and South Korea.  In all, the program serves more than half a million children each year.

NHD culminates each year in a national competition held each June at the University of Maryland at College Park.

Read more about the program at National History Day.

A full list of recipients and their achievements is available at whitehouse.gov.

In our field if we don’t fall into step with the observance of a particular month for a particular group we could be labeled as out of touch, insensitive, or even worse, bigoted. I have always honed to the belief that if an organization is truly interested in serving the public—we as non-profits are responsible for keeping the public trust after all—it serves all the members of the public all the time. It doesn’t mean that you slip a minority into an exhibit or program to make sure you are hitting some quota, it means you keep your audience in mind at all times. You create programs that reflect your community and you are welcoming to everyone from all backgrounds. It is easy to say but hard to achieve. Not that most of us would want to consciously be unwelcoming, but there are perceptions we all have to manage.

The public is conditioned to expect African American history in February, though is it me or are they less conscious of March being Women’s History Month? So what to do if you want to capitalize on expectations but not appear to be pandering? Have your Black History Month program or exhibit or what-have-you in February but have another one some other month as well. Make sure your exhibits reflect the diversity of your community as much as you can reasonably manage. I understand the challenges this can create. My institution has limited resources relating to African American history (historically the Black population of the area hovers around 10%), though they are improving very slowly.

George Ambush operated a lunch wagon in the 1940s. Popular for its delicious sandwiches Ambush’s business also was known for its catchy slogan, “The six wheeled diner, where service is finer.” Much of his clientele included employees from local Frederick companies like Price Electric and Frederick Iron & Steel, which would coordinate their lunch hours to accommodate the wagon’s schedule. (Photo credit: From the collections of the Historical Society of Frederick County)

Nevertheless, we refuse to use the “we don’t have it, we can’t exhibit it” excuse and have come up with other ways to try to be good stewards of our community’s history. We host lectures, symposia, write articles, and use photos to fill in the gaps we have. At the same time we don’t typically make a big deal over the fact our efforts are specifically focused on Black history or women’s history or any other group’s history. It is all history and has equal importance to the understanding of our community and nation.

A recent thread on a listserv to which I subscribe was entitled “Incorporating the African American Story.” This made me think, are people still “incorporating” Black history? Shouldn’t it be there from the start?

 H.F. (Gerry) Lenfest, chairman of The American Revolution Center today announced that Michael C. Quinn will join the organization as president and CEO effective April 1, 2012. Quinn will oversee all aspects of the development of The Museum of the American Revolution, to be built in the historic area of Philadelphia.

Since 1999, Quinn has served as president and CEO of The Montpelier Foundation. Under his leadership, the home of James Madison and its surrounding environment were transformed from a 1900s mansion into a vibrant interpretive and educational center focusing on James Madison and the U.S. Constitution. He oversaw the $25million restoration of James Madison’s home, and the planning and construction of a 15,000 square foot visitor center. He conceived and oversaw the establishment of the Center for the Constitution, which annually provides advanced intellectual seminars on constitutional theory for more than 700 teachers, police officers, and legislators.

Previously, Quinn served as deputy director at Mt. Vernon’s Ladies Association where he was responsible for on-site interpretation, educational programs, special events, marketing, public relations, and publications. He also served as executive director of the D.C. Preservation League and as a preservation planner for the U.S. Advisory Council on Historic Preservation. Quinn received his Bachelor of Arts from the University of Virginia, a Master of Arts from Yale University, and a Master of Business Administration from George Mason University. He will be moving to Philadelphia with his wife, Carolyn.

Read the ARC press release in its entirety here (PDF).

After meeting with members of Martin Luther King, Jr.’s family regarding the recently-dedicated Martin Luther King, Jr Memorial on the National Mall, Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar and National Park Service Director Jon Jarvis announced a plan on February 10, 2012 to correct the “Drum Major ” quote to more accurately reflect the meaning and intent of Dr. King’s original statement.

The plan calls to remove the paraphrased quote and replace it with the original quote in its entirety.  The monument would no longer read “I was a drum major for justice, peace and righteousness.”  The quote would read, “Yes, if you want to say that I was a drum major, say that I was a drum major for justice. Say that I was a drum major for peace. I was a drum major for righteousness. And all of the other shallow things will not matter.”

The NPS expects that portions of the granite stones carrying the current quote will have to be replaced.  They are exploring options to secure funding for the correction, but have set a deadline for the fix.  The work should be completed in time for the celebration of Dr. King’s birthday in January 2013.

Are you a New Jersey educator, or do you know someone who is? NJCH has announced the 2012 summer schedule for the Teacher Institute, courses offering 45 hours of professional development credit. The weeklong seminars are residential on the campus of the RIchard Stockton College of New Jersey just outside of Atlantic City. Courses are tuition-free; a registration fee of $100 covers the cost of books, meals, overnight accommodations, speakers, a field trip, and more!

Courses are accredited through Stockton College and offer the opportunity to earn 3 graduate credits with the successful completion of a research paper. Teachers also have the option of completing a curriculum project.

The Civil War In America: Sunday, July 8-Friday, July 13.

Seminar Leader: Clement Price, Rutgers Unversity-Newark

The Civil War was a critical moment in the construction of the American nation. While no battles during the Civil War were fought on New Jersey soil, the state’s attitudes and actions crucial when looking within specific historical context. This seminar will examine the Civil War’s standing in American History and historical sensibilities from the 1830s through the traumatic years of the War itself, focusing on the causes of the War, its impact on New Jersey, and new scholarship on women and African Americans during this period.

Narratives of Immigration: Asian American Communities and Conflict: Sunday, July 29- Friday, August 3.

Seminar Leader: Allan Isaac, Rutgers University

The United States, as a nation of immigrants, is increasingly defined by the narratives of its immigrant populations. This seminar takes up the novels, short stories, films and music that tell the stories of Asian immigrants’ arrival, sense of belonging, and the difficulties they have faced upon settling. Teachers will examine how Asian conceptualizations of national, racial and ethnic communities are formed, and how the idea of “community” relates to issues of immigration, colonialism, exile, integration and assimilation, political presence, religion, criminality, and “back home” nationalism.

For more information and to download the registration forms, visit the NJCH Teacher Institute.

The Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor Board of Directors has appointed Elissa Garofalo as its President and Executive Director.  She has been the D&L’s Vice-President since 2009, but began her career with D&L in 2000 as a Heritage Development Specialist.  Garofalo succeeds C. Allen Sachse, who after 12 years has retired from the position.  He will serve as Special Advisor for Strategic Partnerships, a part-time position focused on D&L’s partnerships with federal and state governments.

D&L promoted Silas Chamberlin to Director of Stewardship & Interpretation.  In this capacity, Chamberlin will develop and implement  the organization’s conservation, preservation and interpretation policies.

In addition to these changes, the D&L added new members to its Board of Directors, James Birdsall of Bethlehem and Robert Skulsky of Hazelton who replace Charles Petrillo, Jr and William Mitchell.

Read more about these transitions at D&L.

Registration details are forthcoming.  For more information on the conference and the Black German Cultural Society of New Jersey, visit the BGCNJ website.