Conversations
Where people from Massachusetts history organizations get to vent, empathize, laugh, complain, think, collaborate, brainstorm, plan, and in general be up to no good
Conversations on the Commons are just that – casual conversations.
Hosted by the Mass History Alliance, these virtual events bring together people from across the Commonwealth to discuss timely topics in public and local history. Attendees are encouraged to vent, empathize, laugh, complain, think, collaborate, brainstorm, plan, and in general get up to no good in the company of peers.
Since our first Conversation on the Commons in 2020, we’ve hosted over 35 of these free gatherings on topics from Covid-safe programming to Critical Race Theory, town anniversaries to digital archives.
Each conversation begins with a short, informal peer panelist introductions before a moderator leads the panelists and attendees in open discussion.
Conversations are livestreamed. Registration is free (though donations are encouraged!).
Have an idea for a Conversation? Propose a topic or panelist, or volunteer to serve as a panelist or moderator.
Join MHA for a two-part Conversation on the Commons on strategies for success in creating Local Historic Districts (LHD)
Creating a Local Historical District can be a daunting process, not only with respect to the legwork and research, but in educating local property owners, businesses, and other residents, and successfully passing it into law. Join us for a twofer Conversation on the Commons on having your work cut out for you but making it bear fruit with members of Historic District Commissions who have gone through the process. What are the opportunities for engaging people in topics that interest them? How can you propose strategies/processes that raise interest rather than hackles and get those who worry to join the process? What are some of the standard objections to local districts and how can we respond to them? What works and what doesn’t?
Part One, October 9: “Finding and Engaging Community Ambassadors”
In the first Conversations, we will talk about making friends during the process of engaging residents and owners in the process of designing the district. Chris Skelly and Gloria Greis will explore what opportunities there are to positively engage and educate residents during the process of creating plans, procedures, and bylaws that for your town.
Featured panelists: Chris Skelly (Skelly Preservation Services) & Gloria Greis (Needham History Center & Museum)
Part Two, November 6: “Keys to success from those who have done it”
In the second Conversation, we will as both successful and (previously) unsuccessful commissions what works and what doesn’t as you are bringing a local historic district proposal to the town for an eventual vote at town meeting or in the city council. How long should this take? What if there is a group of vocal opponents? How might you combat rumors and false narratives? Are there precedents to be followed? How can community engagement bring in those who doubt rather than leaving them outside?
Featured panelists: Jim Neilson & Peter Wilner (Ashland Historical Commission)
Conversations on the Commons Livestream
Watch Conversations on the Commons live on YouTube.