Telling the Whole Story: Interpreting Difficult Histories for America 250
As we prepare for America’s 250th anniversary, museums and historic sites have a critical role to play in telling a fuller, more inclusive story of our nation’s founding. This half-day workshop is designed to help rural and local history organizations navigate and interpret the complex—and often uncomfortable—topics of race, religion, and nation-making in ways that are thoughtful, honest, and community-centered.
Join us for an engaging, practical session featuring regional leaders who are actively tackling these themes in their own institutions:
- Race — Shirley Lee Corsey, Director of Gather Place Museum, will explore how museums can engage with the legacies of race and racism in our founding stories and local communities.
- Nation-Making — Doug Miller from Pennsbury Manor will guide participants through the complexities of defining “America” in 1776 and who was included (and excluded) from that vision.
- Religion — Devin Manzullo-Thomas, director of the Sider Institute for Anabaptist, Pietist, and Wesleyan Studies and author of Exhibiting Evangelicalism: Commemoration, Conservative Christianity, and Religion’s Presence of the Past, will discuss how museums can discuss issues of faith, spirituality, and ecclesiology around the 250th anniversary of America.
This workshop will include group discussions, real-life examples, and actionable tools to help you lead conversations at your site with confidence and care.
Tickets:
FREE For RHC Members
$25 NON-MEMBERS
