{"id":273,"date":"2015-12-10T21:41:18","date_gmt":"2015-12-10T21:41:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/umdmuseumcert.wordpress.com\/?p=273"},"modified":"2015-12-10T21:41:18","modified_gmt":"2015-12-10T21:41:18","slug":"post-symposium-thoughts","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/msmc.umd.edu\/index.php\/2015\/12\/10\/post-symposium-thoughts\/","title":{"rendered":"Post-Symposium Thoughts"},"content":{"rendered":"

Symposium on Museum Scholarship and Material Culture of Prince George\u2019s County: Starting the Conversation<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Use<\/a>

Dr. Judith Freidenberg gives opening remarks at the Symposium<\/p><\/div>\n

This past Tuesday, Dec. 8th, the MSMC Certificate held a symposium to discuss ways in which the University of Maryland and museum and cultural organizations in Prince George’s County can better collaborate. It was well attended with over 35 participants representing over 20 museums and cultural organizations in the county.<\/p>\n

The following notes provide a summary of topics discussed and key points made by speakers and attendees, followed by a reflection of the event by one of the Certificate students.<\/p>\n

\"Use<\/a>Dr. J<\/u>udith Freidenberg<\/u>, Director of the Museum Scholarship and Material Culture Graduate Certificate program<\/a> at the University of Maryland opened the evening with remarks about the purpose of the symposium. She highlighted the importance of creating stronger links between the University and the cultural and museum organizations in the county<\/strong><\/span>, especially for the Museum Certificate students who are preparing to enter the field as new professionals. Dr. Freidenberg also explained that this will be a conversation about \u201chow to best work collectively to address common issues and problems.\u201d<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Four speakers addressed symposium participants beginning with Dean Gregory Ball<\/u> of the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences<\/a> at the University of Maryland. Dean Ball spoke of his support of this event, having grown up in Prince George\u2019s County and fondly remembering museum experiences.<\/p>\n

Dean Ball said,\u201cuniversities and museums are significant cultural institutions which can change the conversation\u201d<\/strong><\/span> and incorporate new methods into museums and academia.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Susan Pearl,<\/u> Historian with the Prince George\u2019s County Historical Society<\/a> gave a brief history of the county, drawing on the rich cultural outlets since its founding. Cities like Upper Marlboro, Bladensburg, Piscataway, and College Park have had a long history of theater, art, musical performance, and exhibits which continue to thrive today.<\/p>\n

\"Use<\/a>The rich history and culture in the County that Mrs. Pearl described was echoed by John Peter Thompson,<\/u> Chair of the Prince George\u2019s County Historic Preservation Commission. He spoke about the county\u2019s over 500 historic sites which provide opportunities to explore many aspects of the county\u2019s cultures and history. He spoke highly of the resources at the Prince George\u2019s Historical Society library<\/a> open to anyone and located in the Greenbelt Library building with special collections pertaining to the county and beyond.<\/p>\n

Aaron Marcavitch,<\/u> Director of Maryland Milestones<\/a>, described the importance of \u201cHeritage areas\u201d as cultural landscapes created to preserve the meaning of these spaces without owning or restricting the land. He engaged participants to consider the benefits of making tourism work for the small and sometimes remote museums and organizations in the county.<\/p>\n

Think about local museums and organizations as an alternative form of recreation to mainstream tourist locations in Washington, DC<\/strong>.,<\/span> he exhorted.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The speakers set the tone for the conversations that happened around each table of symposium participants. Issues discussed included:<\/p>\n