Open Forum

Hi Susan! 

I hear you. I get it. I have some good news. I've been to a lot of conferences this year, both museum and history-focused. What I'm seeing from museums and cultural organizations is that on the ground, nobody is stopping the work. In fact, I see a lot of museums going all in on what they've always done. You just don't see it in the national news. Any group of museum or history professionals who get together are talking about this. I think what happens at the big, mega-museums is what's in the news, but those of us at small and medium-sized places are still raising money, doing great exhibit work and programming, and seeking out alternative funding sources. I'm not saying the museums aren't hurting. But what I see from my colleagues is just a deepening commitment to our work generally and to spreading the word about the importance of what we do. I also see many of my colleagues and various organizations supporting the professionals and the museums that are struggling. 

I'm really proud to be a part of this field in this moment. I'm getting to see people doing the hard work on the front lines of our communities, work that will never be in a headline. I don't see anybody being passive or acquiescing. 

Hello Susan from another Susan!

Thank you for your heartfelt and direct post. It is very scary and frustrating to see so many efforts to "reshape and diminish" museums, as you said. I agree with Avi that the Japanese American National Museum is an excellent example how to successfully crafting an approach for their museum, and their President & CEO recently did a talk with AAM that you might enjoy listening to Taking a Stand, Deciding When and How to Speak Out, with JANM and Elizabeth Merritt . I also agree with Vivian that advocacy is key, and our very active Advocacy webpage has lots of resources and tools for both individuals and museums to stand up and speak out. Vivian is right - it feels better to take action!

LinkedIn is a venue that also has conversations happening around this topic, and museum conferences are offering sessions related to this. I wonder if some museum folks might be more comfortable speaking in gatherings of folks rather than in an open forum like this? I really appreciate you bringing this up and hope it encourages more people to speak up and resist. 

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Susan Zwerling
Associate Director, Strategic Partnerships, AAM

Original Message:
Sent: 11-06-2025 02:33 PM
From: Susan Ward
Subject: Diminishment of museums

Susan W. I'm glad you brought this up and Susan Z. I'm glad you mentioned that discussion with Elizabeth Merritt.  As a consultant I'm talking to lots of folks across museums and historic sites, which also includes people doing museum work but within the federal government.  In the discussion I was relieved to see that thinking about staff was factored into the conversation. 

I've always been team 'speak truth' even when that makes people uncomfortable.  I've worked with and within institutions to create programs that ask visitors to sit in some Productive Discomfort.  So, I agree with all that is being said in this thread that we must find ways to continue to do our work, serve our communities, and hold strong against the lobotomization of history.  And…

We also must think about the people we employ. My NPS colleagues right now sometimes have to choose between what they say and keeping their job.  I've talked to some who don't have a family relying on their income, or aren't worried about themselves if they lose their job, and say that makes them feel bolder, willing to risk more, and push the envelope more often.  For folks whose income is helping their families stay housed and fed, that decision making process looks different and the risks are higher.  I've also seen organizations lose funding and/or admissions, only for the ripple effect to result in private grant losses, service reduction, and ultimately staff layoffs.  Fewer staff, fewer front line interpreters = fewer people holding that line.  There's also the emotional toll on staff facing a public that can at times become confrontational.  And who have been exhorted by executive order to tattle on sites that make them feel bad.

And through all of that, away from the scrutiny of the internet, the conversations I'm hearing/in aren't trying to use any of the above as justification to do nothing, or to cave to pressure to sanitize history.  Instead, folks are discussing how to keep doing the work despite the complexity of the problem, and all of the needs of the people they want to serve, include, lift up, protect, and employ.

Hello Susan from another Susan!

Thank you for your heartfelt and direct post. It is very scary and frustrating to see so many efforts to "reshape and diminish" museums, as you said. I agree with Avi that the Japanese American National Museum is an excellent example how to successfully crafting an approach for their museum, and their President & CEO recently did a talk with AAM that you might enjoy listening to Taking a Stand, Deciding When and How to Speak Out, with JANM and Elizabeth Merritt . I also agree with Vivian that advocacy is key, and our very active Advocacy webpage has lots of resources and tools for both individuals and museums to stand up and speak out. Vivian is right - it feels better to take action!

LinkedIn is a venue that also has conversations happening around this topic, and museum conferences are offering sessions related to this. I wonder if some museum folks might be more comfortable speaking in gatherings of folks rather than in an open forum like this? I really appreciate you bringing this up and hope it encourages more people to speak up and resist. 

------------------------------
Susan Zwerling
Associate Director, Strategic Partnerships, AAM

Original Message:
Sent: 11-06-2025 02:33 PM
From: Susan Ward
Subject: Diminishment of museums