Dear Colleague,

I am reaching out today with an urgent request, one AASLH rarely makes. We need you to reach out to your Senators to help secure major, new federal funding for the work of history organizations.

For the last several months, AASLH has met with many Congressional offices to advocate for substantial federal investments in the nation’s history community to support the commemoration of the America’s 250th anniversary. At the local, state, and national levels, the Semiquincentennial presents an opportunity to engage all people in a whole, complete American history, one that tells everyone’s story and emphasizes our historical and ongoing efforts to become a more perfect union.

As part of these efforts, we are working with a bipartisan group of lawmakers in both chambers to circulate a “Dear Colleague” letter that calls for robust funding in support of 250th activities across different federal agencies, including the Institute for Museum and Library Services, National Endowment for the Humanities, National Endowment for the Arts, the National Park Service, and more. The Senate letter is general in nature and nonpartisan, designed to garner the support of the largest possible coalition of Congressional members.

We need your help! We ask that you contact your Senators to encourage them to sign on in support of this letter. Constituents influence their Members of Congress most directly, so your participation is critical.

This is an urgent request. With the anniversary now just two years away, the next federal budget will be our last opportunity to secure meaningful new funding to support our work in the lead-up to 2026 and beyond.

Here’s what we need you to do:

1. Use this spreadsheet to find the email addresses of the Legislative Directors for your state’s Senators.

2. Use the draft message below to craft an email to your Senators’ Legislative Directors. Please use the subject line: “FY25 America 250 Senate Sign-on Letter.”

3. Download this “Dear Colleague” letter and include it as an attachment in your email.

Please note that the draft message below includes a “Quill Link” for the convenience of the Senate offices. These links only function for people with a Senate.gov email address. Although the link won’t work for you, it will work for the Senate staff that you are contacting.

AASLH has been working with The Normandy Group on this effort; please do not hesitate to reach out to me or either Christine Pellerin (cpellerin@thenormandygrp.com), or Phil Powell (ppowell@thenormandygrp.com) know if you have any questions.

Thank you for your support of this effort.

Best regards,

John Dichtl
President & CEO
dichtl@aaslh.org

EMAIL FROM CONSTITUENTS TO SENATE OFFICES:

Dear [INSERT NAME],

On behalf of [INSERT ORGANIZATION] based in [INSERT CITY AND STATE], I’m contacting you to urge Senator [INSERT NAME] to sign onto a Dear Colleague letter led by Senators Shaheen and Cramer in support of America 250 activities. The fast approaching U.S. Semiquincentennial (America 250) is just over two years away and is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to remind Americans of the ideals of our nation’s founding, including freedom, liberty and justice. The FY25 appropriations process is the last real opportunity before July 4, 2026, for Congress to provide funding to support America 250 activities across agencies which invest in local organizations like mine and are charged with carrying out programming for this purpose.

Please use the following Quill Link to sign on to the letter. Additionally, please do not hesitate to contact Ted Trippi (Ted_Trippi@Shaheen.senate.gov) or Michael Helmer (Michael_Helmer@Cramer.Senate.gov) with questions.

Thank you for your consideration of signing onto this letter.

Best regards,

[INSERT NAME]

https://recruiting.paylocity.com/recruiting/jobs/Details/2318014/Mystic-Seaport-Museum-Inc/Wells-Boat-Hall-Exhibition-Curator

Time is running out to register for our one-day workshop, Reimagining the Historic House Museum. The deadline to register is next Friday, April 12.

This workshop includes an analysis of the most important opportunities and threats facing historic sites in America based on the latest social and economic research, with a discussion on how they may relate to the participants’ house museum. Field-tested tools and techniques drawn from such wide-ranging sources as non-profit management, business strategy, and software development will be shared. Drawing from innovative organizations, the facilitators profile historic sites that are using new models to engage with their communities to become more relevant, are adopting creative forms of interpretation and programming, and earning income to become more financially sustainable. A key component of the workshop is a facilitated brainstorming session to reinvent an event or program.

This workshop is facilitated by Ken Turino and Max van Balgooy, co-editors of the AASLH Book Series title Reimagining Historic House Museums: New Approaches and Proven Solutions. Attendees will receive a coupon code for 30% off this book as well.

The Wisconsin Maritime Museum (WMM), founded in 1969, is located on Lake Michigan at Manitowoc and is home to the World War II submarine USS Cobia. WMM is seeking an Executive Director with proven passion to provide dynamic leadership for one of the largest maritime museums in the Midwest preserving the maritime history of Wisconsin and the Great Lakes region.

The Executive Director must have entrepreneurial vision and is responsible for the consistent achievement of the organization’s mission and financial objectives to include but not limited to building and implementing a development and fundraising strategy for sustaining ongoing operations and revenue generation; delivering clear and consistent messaging; and providing leadership to and overall management of the museum staff and volunteers.

To apply, please send resume, cover letter to  HR@wisconsinmaritime.org by May 1, 2024. Salary is $80,000 – 90,000 annually plus a comprehensive benefit package, commensurate with experience.

Summary of Responsibilities (including but not limited to)

Management and Operations

• Deliver entrepreneurial vision and be team management oriented
• Provide leadership to a staff including full and part-time employees and volunteers
• Manage day-to-day functioning of the staff in achieving museum goals and objectives and maintain accountability to that end
• Operationalize projects, decisions and plans made at the Board level
• Manage the financial resources of the museum including contributing to the development of the annual budget and being accountable for adhering to the budget
• Demonstrate fiscal management that generally anticipates operating within the approved budget and ensures maximum resource utilization
• Manage resources to include the direct supervision, hiring and retention of competent qualified staff
• Establish employment and administrative policies and procedures for all of the functions and day-to-day operation of the museum
• Lead two capital projects underway: the dry-docking of the WWII submarine USS Cobia and the redevelopment of the Maritime Heritage Center at Franklin Street

Development

• Assist with the development and implementation of the museum’s fundraising plan under the direction of the Board of Trustees
• Cultivate effective personal relationships with private donors, foundations and businesses
• Provide input to the Board of Trustees for short- and long-term goals of the museum
• Regularly meet with Board of Trustees and museum members to report progress towards meeting museum goals and objectives
• Represent the museum in public forums, maintain media relationships, and raise and maintain public awareness of museum accomplishments and goals
• Represent the museum in the community to promote programs, initiatives and events
• Build and promote a successful membership program
• Create and tell the stories of Wisconsin and Great Lakes maritime history to a diverse audience

Desired Leadership Attributes (including but not limited to)

• Leadership – nurtures a staff team that focuses on the best interests of the organization as a whole, understands the role of the team and the individuals on the team, and follows the imperatives of the strategic plan
• Passion for Mission – demonstrates and communicates passion for the organization’s core purpose – “engage and educate the public about the maritime history of Wisconsin and the Great Lakes region, including Wisconsin’s World War II submarines and USS Cobia”
• Strategic Thinking – cultivates a culture of strategic action including recommendations on timelines and allocation of resources to move forward on annual planning and budgets
• Results-Driven Mindset – improves and sustains the organization’s performance, develops and follows through on priorities, delegates appropriately, holds staff accountable and makes sound decisions
• Demonstrated Success in Community Networking – develops strong community relationships to leverage good will, financial support, and program and service development
• Financial Management Expertise – ensures the organization maintains adequate reserves and accumulates sources of capital to invest in needed future changes, understands and diligently attends to all budget and financial matters and can manage operations within budget constraints including making difficult financial decisions when required

Qualification Requirements

• A degree or equivalent work experience in business management, marketing, non-profit management, museum studies, maritime studies, or historic preservation
• Business management skills including budgeting, financial and human resource management (knowledge of QuickBooks preferred)
• Proven track record in program management and meeting strategic goals and objectives
• Experience in fundraising and development including successful grant writing preferred
• Knowledge of maritime history, maritime transportation systems/industry and the military sea service would be a plus
• Success and experience in effectively leading and working as part of a team
• Solid verbal, written, networking and interpersonal communication skills
• Professional communicator skills for leadership and community outreach purposes
• A talent for networking with financial donors, grant makers, community leaders and key stakeholders
• Exemplary organizing and planning skills
• Sound analytical thinking and problem solving skills including those pertaining to financial management
• Ability to translate the Board of Trustees goals and objectives into actionable and measurable outcomes

About Manitowoc:

Manitowoc presents a mix of affordability, natural beauty, cherished cultural attractions, and a vibrant community spirit. Situated within a short drive of major cities and additional tourist spots, residents enjoy access to a wide array of amenities and enriching experiences. The city’s lower cost of living, influenced by housing, utilities, and transportation expenses, provides a more budget-friendly lifestyle, making Manitowoc an appealing place to reside and work. For more information on Manitowoc and the surrounding area visit:

Coolest Coast® Wisconsin’s Coastal Communities

City of Manitowoc 150th Anniversary: Look at Where We Live (youtube.com)

Wisconsin Cost of Living | The New North

The Wisconsin Maritime Museum provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.  This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment

Join other AASLH members and friends for a free and informal conversation, networking, and community-building event on Tuesday, March 26 at 3 p.m. Eastern time.

March is a great time to chat about civics at museums and historic sites. Museums Advocacy Day was at the end of February and Civic Learning Week was the week of March 11. During this month’s History Hour, participants will discuss these civics initiatives and others, including how museums and historic sites can serve as election polling stations, participate in voter registration drives, and participate in other civics activities and resources.

While free, registration is required to participate.

Programs & Events Coordinator Job Description

Status: Full-time, salaried
Salary: $34,000-36,000
Benefits: PTO (9 Paid Holidays + 15 PTO days), Health Insurance, Retirement /

401K Plan

Reports to: Director, Museum Operations
Location: On-site at NMGL
The National Museum of the Great Lakes seeks an energetic and organized individual to join
our team to support programming and events. The Programs & Events Coordinator organizes
group bookings and tours; coordinates the execution of on and off-site programs and events;
and works collaboratively across museum departments. The ideal candidate should have
previous experience organizing and facilitating public programs and/or events, strong
organizational skills, excellent oral and written communication skills, and an interest in Great
Lakes history. Bachelor’s Degree preferred, but not required.
Position Purpose / Summary:
The Programs & Events Coordinator ensures that all museum programs, events and tours
operate smoothly by working collaboratively across departments, coordinating bookings,
supplies, staff and facility needs.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
● Coordinates bookings for group visits, field trips and site rentals.
● Plans event and program logistics, including supplies, staffing and facility needs for all of
the organization’s events and programs.
● Maintains effective external communication with key stakeholders, including teachers,
tour operators and event partners.
● As needed helps facilitate programs including, leading guided tours of the museum
exhibits and historic lake freighter and tugboat, with customized tours for different
audiences.
Working Hours and Environment:
● This is a full-time, salaried position, working 40 hours per week, with a schedule that will
need to flex to meet the needs of programs and events, including evening and weekend
hours.
● Requires the ability to climb stairs and lead groups through our historic lake freighter and
tugboat, working outdoors, even in inclement weather.
How to Apply:
Please email a cover letter, resume and 3 references to hr@nmgl.org by Mar 13, 2024 . No
phone calls.

Pre-Conference Tour on Tuesday, April 23

The Naval History and Heritage Command Detachment Boston, the preservation and restoration facility for USS Constitution, is offering a pre-conference tour to CAMM members. The tour, from 12.30-1.30, will include the production floor and rigging loft of the 1847 historic Building 24 which houses the Detachment’s worksite. The tour is limited to 20 and will include walking, standing, and climbing a flight of stairs from the 1^st to the 3^rd floors of the building.

The tour will gather in front of the USS Constitution Museum and be led by Margherita M. Desy, Historian, NHHC DET Boston/USS Constitution.

The tour is free but pre-registration is required since there is a limit to the number participating. Contact the CAMM Administrator at maritimemuseums@gmail.com to register. You must be registered for the conference to participate.

Post-Conference Tour on Saturday, April 27

The Peabody Essex Museum and Salem National Maritime Historical site are offering a post-conference tour to CAMM members. This will include guided tours of both venues, including an on-board visit to Friendship of Salem.

Take the 09:30 train from Boston North End station to Salem, arriving at 10:00. You will be met there by Dan Finamore from the Peabody Essex Museum, who will lead the tour. Jennifer Hardin from the Salem National Maritime Historical will co-lead.

Lunch will be on you own either at the Peabody Essex Museum’s Café or at any of the many local restaurants. There are regular trains from Salem returning to Boston North End station.

The tour is free but pre-registration is required. Contact the CAMM Administrator at maritimemuseums@gmail.com to register. You must be registered for the conference to participate.