July 18, 2022: Mass History Alliance Annual Meeting and Election

Sebastian Belfanti, The West End Museum (first term)
Sebastian Belfanti is Museum Director at The West End Museum in Boston. He began work with the Museum as a volunteer in 2019 before becoming its first paid staff member in 2020. Since then Sebastian has led an expansion of the WEM’s programs and visibility, overseen a significant expansion in online content and engagement and overseen the Museum’s rebranding. He is now leading the Museum through a capital campaign and major renovation in order to prepare it for continued growth and improved exhibitions, programming and engagement with local and more distant communities. Sebastian holds a BS in Earth and Space Sciences from the University of Washington, and an MSc in Earth and Environmental Sciences from Vanderbilt University.

Stacia Caplanson, Preservation Massachusetts (second term)
Stacia Caplanson is currently Preservation Circuit Rider for Central and Western MA for Preservation MA, the statewide, nonprofit, education and advocacy  organization that promotes the active use and reuse of historic buildings and places.  She is also an artist/ owner of her own creative business Rainbow Kids and serves as the clerk/bookkeeper for her husband’s historic restoration building business Squaw Hollow Restoration, LLC.  Stacia has worked in the history field for over 25 years for both large and small institutions.  She loves learning, enjoys variety in her work, and working with people of all ages. On any given day you might find her meeting with local advocates working to repurpose an historic building, coordinating regional training sessions, or selling her hand-dyed clothing at a farmers market! 

Joshua Koenig, Worcester State University (first term)
I am a newly appointed Assistant Professor of History at Worcester State University, with over 20 years of public history experience; specifically, in the fields of museum studies and historic preservation. I have built a career upon integrating my research and public engagement, while working with diverse communities. As a public historian, I focus on how museums and other historical institutions and sites present their stories to the public. I am particularly interested in what each institution presents as history; what stories they include, and exclude. My research interests center on public engagement with American history, specifically examining public perceptions, preservation, and representation of American history. As a member of the MHA Board of directors, I would have an opportunity to foster community development and engagement and promote progressive public history throughout the state of Massachusetts.

Joshua Koenig is Assistant Professor of History in the Department of History and Political Science at Worcester State University. He teaches courses in American history, public history and historic preservation, environmental history, American art and architectural history, and the history of the American West. His research interests focus on public perceptions, preservation and representation of American history; specifically, within the history of the American West.

Susan Navarre, Fitchburg Historical Society (first term)
At the Fitchburg’s Historical Society, I see both the heavy weight that our small organizations carry in order to preserve their artifacts and story. But I also see how lively and nimble we can be in bringing together people of all ages to learn and share. Since it began, I have been enthused about the MHA mandate to assist history groups in creating exciting new history, no matter what their size. I am a great believer in the power of cooperation and teamwork, and would like to be part of the team that will grow the MHA and the Commonwealth’s public history resources.

I have been Executive Director of the Fitchburg Historical Society for 9 years, where I love the opportunity to encourage a broad cross-section of local people in lifelong learning and inquiry into history. I especially try to create a welcoming environment for those with no experience in visiting museums, libraries or archives. My training is in history of art: at Bryn Mawr College as an undergrad and Boston University for graduate school. I have also taught art history at the New Hampshire Institute of Art and worked in education programs at Boston’s Museum of Fine Arts. In everything I do, I’m a great believer in collaboration: both asking for help and recognizing the work of others: that’s my approach to leadership. My goal is that I will help nurture new generations of leaders and new voices in our communities.

Jane Sciacca, Wayland Historical Society  (first term)
I bring expertise in historical research, public speaking, writing, and educating children and adults about local and national history. I have extensive knowledge of 19th century New England literary history, the causes and beginnings of the American Revolution, colonial enslavement, and women’s issues. I have worked at The Wayside and North Bridge at Minute Man NHP and written two guides for The Wayside. At Boston NHP, I have worked at the Navy Yard and Bunker Hill, and, I write and deliver programs for Wayland’s schoolchildren for the Wayland Historical Society. A number of my talks are available on-line. I have enjoyed listening to many of the programs that the History Alliance puts on focusing on historical and museum management and would enjoy helping to continue the availability of such programs. I am especially drawn to those people and issues that many histories have overlooked.

I have lived in Wayland for over 50 years, raising two children and caring for four grandchildren ages 19-11. I had been a National Park Ranger at Minute Man and Boston National Parks and Longfellow House Washington’s Headquarters NHS for almost thirty years before retiring; preparing and delivering talks (lately on zoom), tours, educational programs and exhibits to a wide range of audiences. I also wrote a children’s book for Lowell National Historical Park about 19th century engineer, James B. Francis, still sold at the Visitor Center. I have been a member of the Wayland Historical Society for 47 years and served as president and curator. I have studied in particular noted abolitionist and Wayland resident, Lydia Maria Child, slavery in Colonial Sudbury and Weston, the first enlisted women in the Navy at the Charlestown Navy Yard and am currently consulting with Boston NHP on Revolution 250.