The Journey Through Hallowed Ground National Heritage Area is proud to present their 2018 symposium The Cutting Edge of Public History: New Directions in Interpretation, to be held in the MIB Auditorium at the Department of the Interior in Washington, D.C. on March 28-29, 2018. The symposium is designed to focus on new approaches and best practices in presenting American history and showcase leaders in the field. Public history specialists will lead panel discussions on a wide range of topics including new exhibitions on slavery and criminal justice and innovative educational programs for teachers and students.
One conference highlight will be the Journey’s National History Academy, a five-week summer program for high school students offering an immersive learning opportunity and first-hand experiences at the historic sites where American history was made. The Academy will explore extraordinary events and leaders from pre-colonial times to the 21st century, emphasizing the pivotal moments that shaped the American experience.
The Schedule:
March 28th
- 9:00am – 12:00pm: Optional early entry & tour of the National Museum of American History with curators/docents of the exhibit “The Nation We Build Together”; lunch on own
- 12:00pm – 1:00pm: Registration at DOI, tables outside of MIB Auditorium
- 1:00pm – 1:45pm: Welcome Remarks
- 1:45pm – 3:15pm: Session #1 – Reshaping the Narratives of History
- 3:15pm – 3:30pm: Break
- 3:30pm – 5:00pm: Session #2: Storytelling through Technology and Media
- 5:30 – 7:30pm: Conference Reception at the Decatur House, 1610 H Street, NW, Washington, DC
March 29th
- 8:00am – 9:00am: Optional Breakfast at DOI
- 9:00am – 9:45am: Welcome and Key Note
- 9:45am – 11:15am: Session #3 – Engaging Students and Teachers
- 11:15am – 11:30am: Break
- 11:30am – 1:00pm: Session #4 – Interpreting History through Art and Material Culture
- 1:00pm – 2:00pm: Optional Lunch at DOI
- 2:00pm: Optional Tours of National Portrait Gallery with curators/docents of exhibit
Speakers include:
Session #1: Reshaping the Narratives of History
Moderator:
Gary Sandling, Vice President of Visitor Programs & Services, Monticello, Charlottesville, VA
Panelists:
Christy Coleman, Chief Executive Officer, American Civil War Museum, Richmond, VA;
Sean Kelley, Senior Vice President, Director of Interpretation, Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site, Philadelphia, PA;
Marcel Sykes, Manager of Interpretive Programs, Montpelier, Montpelier Station, VA
Session #2: Storytelling through Technology and Media
Moderator:
Dana Allen-Greil, Web and Social Media Branch Chief, National Archives, Washington, DC
Panelists:
Mireya Loza, Curator, Division of Work and Industry, National Museum of American History, Washington, DC;
Stan McGee, Education Specialist, Harpers Ferry National Historical Park;
Selma Thomas, Independent Producer, Executive Producer at the National Museum of African American History and Culture, Washington, DC
Session #3: Engaging Students and Teachers
Moderator:
Brent Glass, Director Emeritus, National Museum of American History, Washington, DC
Panelists:
Tim Bailey, Director of Education, The Gilder Lehrman Institute and The Hamilton Education Project, New York, NY;
Bill Sellers, President, Journey Through Hallowed Ground and the National History Academy, Waterford, VA ;
Zachary Gargan, 8th Grade Civics, Mercer Middle School, Aldie, VA
Session #4: Interpreting History through Art and Material Culture
Moderator:
Kim Sajet, Director, National Portrait Gallery, Washington, DC
Panelists:
Yoni Appelbaum, Senior Editor and Washington Bureau Chief at The Atlantic, Washinton, DC;
Susan Stein, Richard Gilder Senior Curator and Vice President of Museum Programs, Monticello, Charlottesville, VA;
Shelley Sturman, Head of Object Conservation, National Gallery of Art
The details:
- Advanced registration is required for the symposium – no tickets will be available at the door.
- Tickets to the symposium are $30.
- When purchasing tickets, you will be asked if you plan on attending early entry to the NMAH on the morning of March 28th and the conference reception at the Decatur House on the evening of March 28th. These are included with the ticket price, however spaced is limited.
- Entry information for the NMAH visit and the conference reception will be emailed out prior to the start of the symposium.
- Attendees will need to register for the symposium at the Department of the Interior from 12:00pm – 1:00pm on March 28th – a table will be set-up outside the MIB Auditorium. Please bring your Eventbrite ticket and badges will be distributed.
- Hotel blocks have been made at The Wink, Washington, DC (booking deadline: March 2nd) and Hotel Lombardy Washington DC (booking deadline: February 12th, group #3726). Please reference The Journey Through Hallowed Ground National Heritage Area’s Symposium when booking.
Contact info@brentdglass.com for questions.
We look forward to seeing you at the symposium!