Archives Enlivened: Community Collaboration & Engagement
May 17, 2023 / 9:30 to 2:30 • Laconia Public Library, Laconia, NH
May 17, 2023 / 9:30 to 2:30 • Laconia Public Library, Laconia, NH
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Join the New Hampshire Archives Group on Wednesday, May 17th at the Laconia Public Library in Laconia for its Spring 2023 workshop — or attend online via Zoom.
IntroductionPublic outreach by libraries, historical societies, and archives broadens awareness and support for historical collections. In this workshop we will consider several types of outreach, including museum exhibitions, live reenactments, and computer apps. We will also highlight other examples drawn from around the state as we explore how archives outreach has evolved using new technology and collaborations.
ProgramWe are pleased to offer the following presentations for this workshop (click on title for synopsis & presenter):
Academic Outreach and Meaningful Community-Building
A LOOK AT THE MUSEUM OF THE WHITE MOUNTAINS, PLYMOUTH STATE UNIVERSITY, AND ITS SURROUNDING REGION The Museum of the White Mountains (MWM) is the academic museum of Plymouth State University. The Museum often collaborates with PSU students, faculty, and staff on a variety of exhibitions and educational programming throughout the academic year. Kala Brzezinski, Assistant Director at MWM, will discuss the evolving role of academic museums on university campuses and how outreach is embedded within the success of the MWM. She will discuss different outreach initiatives for three main audience groups: the PSU campus, the town of Plymouth, and tourists to the area. By investigating these different processes, we will then discuss the future of the Museum of the White Mountains, its changing role on campus, and how MWM can serve as a facilitator of cross-generational conversation and understanding. Kala Brzezinski joined the staff as Assistant Director at the Museum of the White Mountains in January 2023. Within this role, she serves as the museum collections manager in addition to assisting on registrar work for ongoing exhibitions. She also serves as a liaison between students, faculty, and community members on education and programming goals. Kala is originally from the Shenandoah Valley in Virginia and holds a B.A. in History from Auburn University and an M.A. in Museum Education from Tufts University. Passionate about both collections management and public education, she blends her background in museology to serve the needs of diverse museum audiences. Archiving Advantage: Combining History with Technology
Brigham Boice will present his work on Newpast and how he uses archival material to create engaging and immersive experiences. One of the main focuses of this talk will be on the virtual recreation of Peterborough, NH, in the year 1886 and how Newpast plans to develop more historical education content going forward. Brigham Boice is a college student and business owner currently based in Burlington, VT. His passion for history began in the 4th grade and has led him on a journey to become a game designer and entrepreneur. Brigham founded Newpast™ in 2018 with a mission to develop software that recreates historic towns and other historical events from around the world in virtual experiences, creating accessible and engaging ways to learn about local history. Through Newpast, Brigham is now developing a location-based experience that brings history to life in the actual locations where historical events occurred. Brigham is excited to continue collaborating with other groups and to explore new and innovative ways to make history accessible and engaging for all. MHA / Majestic Theatre Collaboration
Rob Dionne of the Majestic Theatre and Kristy Ellsworth of the Millyard Museum will give a brief talk about how they described the process behind dual organization programming. The two groups have paired half a dozen times for actor driven, first person, living history tours of various Manchester landmarks. Rob and Kristy will discuss the benefits, challenges and successes that have encountered in this fruitful pairing. A. Robert Dionne is the founding and Artistic Director of The Majestic and Administrator to the Ted Herbert Music School. He is also a free-lance director, musical director, and actor. Robert has a Bachelor of Music Education degree from the University of Maine (Orono). A full time musician, Robert is part of the Rockin‘ Daddios singing group as well as a Piano Entertainer at The Front Porch in Ogunquit, Maine. Outreach Around New Hampshire
Panel members offer micro-presentations on a variety of outreach initiatives undertaken by a public library (Portsmouth), private athenaeum (Portsmouth), academic archives (Rindge), municipal archives (New London), historical society (Manchester). Workshop attendees are encouraged to ask questions and share their own examples. Post-workshop tour: Laconia Special Collections. |
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