Be a National Leader! Learn about the AASLH Leadership in History Awards (23 September 2022)

by Matthew Friedman | Sep 24, 2022 | Conversations on the Commons Archive

The American Association for State and Local History (AASLH) has been giving Leadership in History awards for over 75 years. These awards are available to institutions of all sizes, from all-volunteer to statewide organizations. Award winners come from all over the...

Filmmakers and Historical Organizations (18 March 2022)

by Matthew Friedman | Mar 23, 2022 | Conversations on the Commons Archive, Video

We welcome twice Emmy-nominated producer Andrew Giles Buckley, and New York Times best-selling author, award-winning documentary producer, and long-time history enthusiast Rick Beyer to present on their filmmaking projects with Massachusetts history connections.

The Community Preservation Act (CPA): What is it, and what can it do for you? (4 March 2022)

by Matthew Friedman | Mar 14, 2022 | Conversations on the Commons Archive, Video

What is the Community Preservation Act? How can it be used to preserve history on the local level? What are allowable uses? How can your community adopt this bylaw? What kinds of local advocacy need to be done to pass CPA in a town? What are some of the strategies...

Working with the Digital Commonwealth (18 February 2022)

by Matthew Friedman | Feb 27, 2022 | Conversations on the Commons Archive, Video

 Have you considered working with the Digital Commonwealth to digitize any of your collections and get them online? What does it take to get your collection up on the Digital Commonwealth? Are there any obstacles and challenges? What part is easy? What does it take...

Community History: What is it, and what can it do for you? (3 February 2022)

by Matthew Friedman | Feb 14, 2022 | Conversations on the Commons Archive, Video

What is Community History? What formats does it take? What is the difference between local history and community history? How can we embrace both? How does community history practice require historical organizations to change their understanding of history? What are...

All About Objects: Artifact Care, Description, and Management (21 January 2022)

by Matthew Friedman | Jan 25, 2022 | Conversations on the Commons Archive, Video

 Filigree or verdigris? Crazing or cracking? There’s a lot of talk about archival processes, but what about object care and description? Do you know how to deal with that mildewed leather portfolio? Pigeon poop on statues or memorials? How do you tag a porcelain...