Open Forum

 View Only

  • 1.  Resources for developing interpretation for Confederate symbols?

    Posted 11-15-2015 12:26 PM

    Hello Museum Junction friends,

    A local government entity has contacted AAM with the following request, and I welcome your advice, resources, and comments to share.

    They are seeking suggestions for resources to help develop educational materials to accompany Confederate statues or displays to provide appropriate historical context.  Specific questions are
       -What forms could such educational items take?
       -What types of information or content could be included via those educational items and who might determine what that content might be?

    Thank you for your assistance.

    ------------------------------
    Gail Ravnitzky Silberglied
    VP Government Relations & Communications
    American Alliance of Museums
    Arlington DC
    ------------------------------


  • 2.  RE: Resources for developing interpretation for Confederate symbols?

    Posted 11-16-2015 08:25 AM

    What an interesting request. Without knowing more about the material, audience, or interpretive goals, I would think that starting with a solid grounding in anti-bias education would increase the chances of efficacy with content that is undoubtedly sensitive. Two of the most useful are: 

    Teaching Tolerance, especially the anti-bias framework 

    Racial Equity Tools, especially the Fundamentals section

    In addition, they will probably want to consult resources tailored to historical interpetretation. Some suggestions:  

    The AASLH Technical Leaflet "Interpreting Difficult Knowledge" by Julia Rose; Rose's book Interpreting Difficult History at Museums and Historic Sites is forthcoming soon, as well.

    Two more books in the AASLH "Interpreting History" series that would likely be helpful are Interpreting African-American History and Culture at Museums and Historic Sites, edited by Max van Bolgooy, and Interpreting Slavery at Museums and Historic Sites, edited by Kristin L. Gallas and James DeWolf Perry.

    Because I imagine that one of the challenges of working with this material is that there are multiple perspectives on it, they may also want to read Letting Go? Sharing HIstorical Authority in a User-Generated World for ideas about how to present, frame and contextualize those differing perspectives.

    It's encouraging that the community sought information from AAM! A great role for the community to play. Looking forward to learning about more resources from other replies.

    ------------------------------
    Michelle Moon
    Assistant Director for Adult Programs
    Peabody Essex Museum
    Salem MA

    Original Message


  • 3.  RE: Resources for developing interpretation for Confederate symbols?

    Posted 11-16-2015 08:44 AM
    Contact the Civil War museum in Richmond, VA.  I am sure they already have materials developed.

    Melanie A Adams, Ph.D
    Managing Director, Community Education and Events
    Missouri History Museum
    314-464-3120



    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: Resources for developing interpretation for Confederate symbols?

    Posted 11-16-2015 11:42 AM

    Hi Gail--

    Per Melanie's response, we'd be happy to have a conversation about our approaches and experience at the American Civil War Museum (as well as those of our colleagues locally). We don't have much already developed as a written resource, which is why it might be best for us to talk directly to you or your contact. We can definitely talk about our experience and refer to similar conversations that we know are happening elsewhere, can speak to the types of questions we get about this topic and statues specifically, our interpretive approaches, and our typical responses. 

    Thanks--

    Stephanie

    ------------------------------
    Stephanie Arduini
    Director of Education
    American Civil War Museum
    Richmond VA

    Original Message


  • 5.  RE: Resources for developing interpretation for Confederate symbols?

    Posted 11-16-2015 02:49 PM
    We have been working on a wayside interpretive program for the Confederate Reunion Grounds State Historic Site in Mexia, TX. Appropriate historical context has been an important consideration for this project, and we appreciate all of the additional resources.

    Ed Malouf
    Principal
    Content Design Collaborative
    Scituate, MA
    ed@contentdesign.me

    http://www.visitconfederatereuniongrounds.com


    Original Message