To sustain the fabric of culture, inclusion, memory, and conversation in the United States, it is more important than ever to support our history organizations. The best way to do this is by providing the dedicated professionals and volunteers who run these organizations with the resources they need. AASLH provides crucial help, bringing together small and large organizations online, in-person, and year-round.

This spring, AASLH needs your support to keep growing the programs and services that serve members so well. Will you give today to support the association that has been leading the field since 1940?

Your generous donation to the Annual Fund will help us to:

  • Create a next generation of StEPs, AASLH’s self-study standards program that invigorates small- and mid-sized history organizations.
  • Provide new administrative support for the History Relevance effort, making the case that history and historical thinking are essential.
  • Ensure that history organizations are institutions of openness, dialogue, and engagement across the borders that can divide communities. With new scholarships, fresh approaches at the Annual Meeting, new continuing education webinars, and broader alliances, AASLH is opening doors for new members and ideas.

In this post, I’m including comments from some members about why they support AASLH with their hard-earned dollars. My own feeling is that AASLH is essential; it gives history organizations of all sizes a national voice, brings innovative ideas to the mainstream, and brings us together around shared interests, building bonds and relationships that build careers and lasting friendships.

Sincerely,

Katherine Kane
AASLH Council Chair
Executive Director
Harriet Beecher Stowe Center

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“Support for the American Association for State and Local History is a given for heritage professionals like me, because of the extensive work AASLH does in nurturing an environment in which state and local history can thrive. Local historical societies and museums understand…[that] AASLH brings us together to strive toward excellence for the good of our profession, but, more importantly, for the good of our communities. And that’s why I am proud to support AASLH with my time, skills, and donations.”

-Elizabeth P. Stewart, Director, Renton History Museum

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“We give because AASLH has been central to our professional lives—as well as the source of many life-long friendships. A lot of people have nurtured, inspired, and encouraged us over the years. We give to AASLH because we want others to have these opportunities as well.”

-James M. Vaughan, Executive Director, Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission
-Janet Vaughan, Vice President, Membership & Programs, American Alliance of Museums

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“AASLH is an essential partner in my career and has helped me develop a network of colleagues that support each other through challenges and celebrate each other’s successes. An early professional development experience at Project Management for History Professionals armed me with vital skills to take on big projects, and later in my career, SHA was instrumental in my taking new leaps professionally. AASLH provides fundamental resources to professionals and volunteers from organizations of all sizes and it is AASLH’s commitment to museums and historical societies big and small that inspires me to financially support its programs. AASLH’s commitment to providing scholarships and educational opportunities that make history organizations stronger, more relevant, and crucial community partners is essential, now more than ever.”

-Jennifer Landry, Curator, National Scouting Museum

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“I manage a small museum staffed by part-time employees and volunteers. The resources and camaraderie I got from AASLH make me feel like I have a whole team behind me. The annual conference gives me energy, empowers me, and refills my soul. That’s why I give each year to AASLH.”

-Jacqui Ainlay-Conley, Museum Administrator, City and County of Broomfield

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“Although I retired in March 2011, I still support AASLH annually and urge all of you to do the same. Since my first job in the field in 1968, I found AASLH a great source of technical information. Attendance at more than 20 annual meetings gave me inspiration, knowledge and friends for life. AASLH is the national organization of my heart and soul.”

-Ruby Rogers, Former Director, Cincinnati Historical Society Library