Activists vs. Advocates: What’s the difference? Both involve trying to effect change, but activists are action-oriented, often working outside the system, while advocates are people-oriented and work within the system to represent the concerns of others. Join us as we meet two experienced advocates. Learn how they have helped others to challenge unfair institutional systems and what inspires them to keep going.

Archiving Your Gigabytes: Preserving COVID-19 and other digital collections October 9, 2020, 1:00pm - 2:30pm A Conversation with Veronica Martzahl, Digital Records Archivist at the Massachusetts Archives, Kathie Gow, Curator of the Hatfield Historical Museum, and Vanessa Formato, archivist at the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Covid-diaries, Zoom events, oral histories, social media. Under the COVID […]

400 Years and Beyond: Commemorating historic events in the twenty-first century October 23, 2020, 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. A Conversation with Linda Coombs, board member of Plymouth 400 and chair of the Wampanoag Advisory Committee, Desiree Mobed, Director at the Alden House Historic Site, and Michelle Pecoraro, Executive Director of Plymouth 400 After 400 […]

History Funding from Local Cultural Councils: Talking through and workshopping LCC grant applications November 6, 2020, 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. A Conversation with Ymelda Laxton, Assistant Curator at Scottish Rite Masonic Museum & Library, and Heather Kowalski, Executive Director of the Bidwell House Museum. SPECIAL GUEST: Lisa Simmons, Manager of the Local Cultural Council […]

Six Months and Counting of COVID: What are you doing? November 13, 2020, 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. A conversation with Nina Zannieri, Executive Director of the Paul Revere Memorial Association, and Katie MacDonald, Executive Director of Old Colony History Museum Six months into the COVID pandemic, we’re settling into new routines. Many organizations are […]

Baking with Historians December 18, 2020, 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. Join Margo Shea and Noah Berman as they prepare holiday treats, share historical recipes and cookbooks, and offer tips for busy cooks during the festive season.  Margo Shea, editor at Historians Cooking the Past,  whose philanthropic virtual bake sales have raised thousands of dollars […]

Researching and Discussing Slavery in Massachusetts A conversation with Kristin Gallas, principal at Interpreting Slavery, and Meadow Dibble, Director of Atlantic Black Box January 22, 2021, 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. Join us for a conversation on researching and interpreting slavery and the slave trade in Massachusetts. Kristin Gallas and Meadow Dibble will discuss opportunities […]

Archives’ Hour with the State Historical Records Advisory Board A conversation with Alejandra Dean, Digital Archivist at the Massachusetts Archives, and Evan Knight, Preservation Specialist for the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC). February 5, 2021, 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. Join us for an informal conversation with members of the State Historical Records Advisory […]

“Get up, Stand up”: Preserving history from the ground up February 19, 2021, 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. Advocacy for history starts in our neighborhoods and community centers, when we commit ourselves to a cause and communicate our passion to friends and associates. In a world of explosive issues and headline grabbers, how do we […]

The first in a quarterly series of Conversations on the Commons: Show and Tell edition! March 5, 2021, 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. Commons Show and Tell! Share with us the best or most intriguing object or archival piece in your collection. Do you have a white elephant? An item around which you have been […]

From bake sales to the annual calendar, most historical organizations occasionally sell something to raise funds. Many have also hosted someone’s event, upon occasion. But what does it take to make this a regular part of  your income?  What’s involved in having a shop, merchandising your collections, or running an event or wedding venue? Have you tried it? Where do you have things printed or made? What are some questions you have? Do you stock 200 logo tees or work with print on demand suppliers? How are you doing at creating income?

It’s been one long year of ups and downs since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. We are still wearing our masks and social distancing while anxiously awaiting vaccines and wondering about a "new normal." After all this time, how are you doing? How is it affecting your organization? Are you open? What are you planning for the summer? What are your challenges in staffing, engaging visitors, and the bottom line? Join us for a peer to peer conversation about COVID-19 and the public and local history field in Massachusetts. This conversation will be moderated by Brianne Zulkiewicz, Visitor Services and Administrative Coordinator at Wistariahurst Museum.