Registration is now open for the Summer Session of AASLH’s popular Online Courses. If these courses are of interest to you, don’t delay in registering. Our Online Courses almost always fill before the registration deadline.

AASLH members save $100 on course registration. Become a member.

Online Courses that are available each session rotate throughout the year. Visit our website to see the courses that will be available later in 2025.

Summer Online Courses
Registration Closes June 9

Introduction to Financial Management*
June 16 – July 13
$199 AASLH Members / $299 Nonmembers
Designed for staff and volunteers of all abilities and organizations of all sizes, this course provides an accessible, clear, and even fun introduction to the financial concepts of running a history organization. Register here.

Basics of Archives
June 16 – August 10
$230 AASLH Members / $330 Nonmembers
Learn the core aspects of managing and protecting historical records collections, using appropriate principles and best practices. Register here.

Caring for Museum Collections*
June 16 – August 10
$230 AASLH Members / $330 Nonmembers
This course deals with the physical care and preservation of your museum collections. It will cover how collections age and deteriorate, handling collections, storage requirements, environmental considerations, housekeeping, and risk management. Register here.

Developing Exhibitions: Planning and Design*
June 16 – August 10
$230 AASLH Members / $330 Nonmembers
Guided by an expert instructor and supported by cooperative student learning, you’ll develop an exhibition and create a design package. Participants will decide what their exhibit will be about and why, identify its storyline ideas and organizing concepts, develop a budget, and decide on its look and feel. Register here.

* Small Museum Pro!
Small Museum Pro! is a professional certificate program for history practitioners who work or would like to work in small history organizations. It provides practical guidance and education on a variety of topics. To receive a certificate, applicants must complete and pass five courses from the program. Learn more about SMP!

We are still accepting applications for our summer 2025 field school in Italy. Now in its 26th year, with alumni from over 170 colleges and universities worldwide, SGPS is dedicated to the preservation of cultural heritage. We offer students the opportunity to study and travel in Italy where they acquire hands-on experience in restoration and conservation. The deadline for applications has been extended to April 15. For those wishing to apply through West Virginia University in order to received credit, their deadline has been extended to March 23.Please forward this notice to any person who may be interested in our programs, thank you. Session One (June 2 – 27)Building Restoration – Touching the StonesRestoration of Traditional Masonry Buildings and Sketching and Analyzing Historic Buildings (Program includes lectures and restoration field projects*) Archaeological Ceramics RestorationAnalysis and Restoration of Archaeological Ceramics in Italy (Program includes lectures and restoration workshop*) Book Bindings Restoration Introduction to the History and Craft of BookbindingsIntroduction to the Preservation and Preventive Conservation of Books (Program includes lectures and practical workshop*) Short Intersession Program (June 30 – July 9)Preservation Tour – Italy A ten-day trip visiting Florence, Siena and Rome: places of cultural interest, with emphasis on the urban and historical development of each town, including specialized visits to places of interest to restorers.  Session Two (July 14 – August 9)Paper RestorationIntroduction to the Restoration and Conservation of Paper in Artwork and Archival Documents (Program includes lectures and restoration workshop*) Traditional Painting TechniquesTraditional Materials, Methods of Painting and Art Restoration Issues (Program includes lectures and painting workshop) Preservation Theory and Practice in Italy Restoration Theory, Ethics and Issues (Program includes lectures and discussion) *Field Projects:Restoration of Porta Tuderte (13th century city gate) Analysis of medieval buildings in San Gemini as part of an urban study of the city Restoration and conservation of classical archaeological ceramics from the Parco del Colosseo in RomeRestoration of the Historic Archives, City of San Gemini (material ranges from 14th to 19th centuries)

APPLY NOW

SGPS is a program of the International Institute for Restoration and Preservation Studies, based in New York. An academic relationship has been established with West Virginia University that offers our students the opportunity to apply for and receive credits through the WVU Art History Department. We have established cooperation agreements with the Universita degli Studi della Tuscia in Viterbo. We have collaboration agreements with the Museo della Storie di Bergamo and the archaeological area of the Parco del Colosseo in Rome to study and conserve archaeological artifacts from those institutions. We have an ongoing collaboration with the Historic Archives of the City of San Gemini, the Historic Archives of the Diocese of Terni, Narni and Amelia for SGPS to study and conserve archival documents. Our courses are open to students from various disciplines, both undergraduate and graduate. All lessons are taught in English.Contact: Polly Withers, pwithers@iirpsemail.org, Tel: +1 718-768-3508. www.sangeministudies.org

THE SMITHSONIAN NATIONAL MUSEUM OF AMERICAN HISTORY is conducting a survey to understand how and why people search, seek, explore, and use our collections, online and in person. This information will be used to help shape our plans for improving our catalog. We strive to incorporate the voices of a range of user types, from both inside and outside of NMAH. We hope you will:

• Take the survey (closes March 19)

We invite everyone’s participation, regardless of your role and level or type of familiarity with the collection. Staff, volunteers, docents, contractors, interns, fellows, from all departments (and any unit)—please add your voice.

• Forward the survey to others in your network

We are looking for anyone with an interest in museum or history collections for work, learning, or fun. That means scholars, teachers, genealogists, students, enthusiasts, collectors, makers, and people who love history!  Click here for language you can cut-and-paste into emails, listservs, and social media.

Please see this job opportunity below.

https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/northcarolina/jobs/4809635-0/education-curator

Accommodation arrangements for the upcoming conference are now on the conference webpage: https://councilofamericanmaritimemuseums.org/annual-conference/ Please note that all reservations must be made no later than March 17, 2025.

Makerspaces for Museums and Historic Sites

Webinar

February 6

3 p.m. Eastern

$25 AASLH Members | $45 Nonmembers

REGISTER HERE | BECOME A MEMBER
Makerspaces — where visitors can engage in hands-on learning activities related to a collection or exhibit — are increasingly common features at museums and history sites. They can encourage tactile and intergenerational learning, connect museum content to STEM principles, and help history come to life. In this webinar, you’ll explore the transformative potential of makerspaces, discovering how interactive environments can enhance visitor engagement, spark creativity, and deepen connections to history and culture.

Tim Betz, author of Making History: Makerspaces for Museums and Historic Sites, will provide real-world examples and practical guidance on designing and implementing makerspaces that complement existing exhibits and collections. By embracing the Maker Movement ethos, museums can come to life in new, dynamic ways.

Gain insights into integrating makerspace activities that appeal to diverse audiences and foster collaboration, learning, and exploration. Whether your institution is large or small, this webinar will equip you with tools to start or refine a makerspace, offering fresh and engaging experiences for all visitors.

Registrants for this webinar will also receive a 30% discount code for Making History: Makerspaces for Museums and Historic Sites.

On Monday, January 27, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) released Memorandum M-25-13 instructing all federal agencies to temporarily pause the obligation and distribution of all federal funding (other than payments to individuals). This order was challenged in court, and a federal judge temporarily blocked part of the order before it could go into effect on Tuesday, January 28. The OMB ultimately rescinded the memo today, Wednesday, January 29. This issue is still critical for the future of museums and history organizations. 

Federal funding through the Institute of Museum and Library Services, National Endowment for the Humanities, National Endowment for the Arts, Department of Energy, NOAA, FEMA, and other federal agencies supports history organizations throughout the country in various ways. Loss of these funds, especially with little or no time to plan for the impact of the loss, could cause significant damage to the ability to preserve and interpret, as well as to educate the public about the rich history of our nation, particularly as we prepare for the 250th anniversary of the United States in 2026. 

AASLH is watching for further developments of this rapidly changing issue and others in Washington that impact history organizations. Please look for our Weekly Dispatch newsletter for updates and ways you can get involved. If you do not receive Dispatch, you can subscribe at www.aaslh.org. 

We also encourage you to do more research on the impact of these executive orders on cultural organizations in your state. AASLH is a proud supporter of the American Alliance of Museum’s (AAM) Advocacy Day held each February. AAM’s website includes information on how to contact your Congressional delegation to let them know the importance of federal funding to the museums, libraries, history organizations, and other nonprofits in your community. Please take time to contact your members of Congress using the AAM template letter to express your concerns about how this memo will impact your museum or community.

The Michigan Maritime Museum seeks to hire their next Executive Director, following a 15-year tenure and growth period led by the current ED, Patti Montgomery-Reinert.

https://tinyurl.com/MMMExecDir

Dear Colleague, Applications are open to the American Alliance of Museums’ popular Museum Assessment Program (MAP)! Designed for small to mid-sized museums, MAP offers a free, year-long process of self-assessment, peer review, and expert guidance to enhance your museum’s effectiveness—whether you’re just starting out or gearing up for accreditation.⁠ Since its inception over 40 years ago, the Museum Assessment Program (MAP) has helped nearly one-quarter of US museums create an institutional roadmap and strategic plan.  Use these resources to submit your application by the February 15 deadline, to make sure your museum is part of the 2025 cohort: This year, MAP offers four different assessments to choose from—explore them below!Our website has robust information about what’s involved in participating, who is eligible to apply, and much more, including FAQs.Download the sample application (a fillable pdf) before you begin the official online application!

Apply to the Museum Assessment Program today!

If you have additional questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to us, your MAP Program Officers, at map@aam-us.org.

WASHINGTON, DC—The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) announced today the launch of the first-ever National Museum Survey (NMS) dedicated to understanding the scope and scale of museums’ presence and reach within the United States. This survey will help inform the museum field, policymakers, the public, and the media about the social, cultural, educational, and economic role that the nation’s museums play in American society. 

“Institutions’ participation in this survey is vital,“ said IMLS Deputy Director of the Office of Museum Services Laura Huerta Migus. “By contributing, you help illuminate the powerful role museums play as economic drivers, employers, and guardians of our nation’s heritage. Together, we can quantify the impact of museums and strengthen the entire field.” 

IMLS encourages participation from a variety of types of institutions, including some that may not typically identify themselves as museums such as zoos, aquariums, botanical gardens, and arboretums; nature and science centers; history museums and historic sites; art museums; children’s museums; natural history museums; and specialized museums. 

IMLS expects to release survey results in early summer 2025 both through reports and through a dynamic data portal that will allow institutions to compare their data with their peers’ summary results. This marks the first time that the field will have statistically valid national data from which to draw valuable insights, illustrate trends, provide benchmarking, and help inform data-based decisions. 

If you received an invitation to participate in the NMS and encounter any issues entering your institution’s data please email NMS@imls.gov. Please complete this online form if your institution would like to participate but hasn’t already received an invitation. 

Visit us online at imls.gov/nms to learn more about the National Museum Survey. 

Read on IMLS.GOV