Philadelphia Museum of Art, East Entrance. Photo: Philadelphia Museum of Art

By Jennifer Krafchik, Co-Chair, AASLH Women’s History Affinity Group

We are looking forward to seeing you at this year’s AASLH Annual Meeting in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania! There will be some great opportunities for you to learn more about and engage with members of the Women’s History Affinity Group (WHAG).

In addition to the fascinating sessions below, WHAG members will attend several luncheons during the conference to share information with attendees about the 19th Amendment Centennial Value Statement.

Thursday, August 29

5:30-6:30 pm
WHAG History Happy Hour
Con Murphy’s Irish Pub

Join the Women’s History Affinity Group for drinks and get to know our fantastic community. Con Murphy’s is just down the street from the Philadelphia 201 Hotel at 1700 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia PA 19103.

Friday, August 30

8:30 am – 12 pm
“Making the Private Public: Telling Women’s History Through Collections”

Join us on a tour to the Philadelphia Museum of Art and Cedar Grove, one of its historic houses, to explore how the collections of each reveal the history of American women. At the PMA, an interactive tour will focus on uncovering stories of women as artists, subjects, and collectors. At Cedar Grove, historic artifacts will uncover themes of women including healing, social reform, faith, and education. (Cost: $45)

8-9:15 am
“Small Museums, Big Aspirations: Engaging Community, Co-Creating, and Collaborating”

Directors of several small museums, including an Underground Railroad site and a traditional historic house museum, will share how their organizations revitalized their sites and increased their public reach. From curating an ambitious exhibit to changing to a women’s history center, each used collaboration to achieve their goals. (This session is sponsored by the AASLH Small Museums Affinity Community.)

An educator portrays Victoria Confino in 1916 in the Tenement Museum’s costumed interpretation program.

4-5:15 pm
“On the Front Lines of Costumed Interpretation: The Challenges of Bringing Women’s Stories to Life at Historic Sites”

What are some challenges in telling women’s stories using costumed interpretation at your historical site? Gain practical strategies from experienced educators about uncovering and interpreting diverse women’s histories via first- and third-person storytelling. Then, brainstorm ways to make costumed interpretation more inclusive and safer for staff.

Be sure to visit the Women’s History Affinity Group web page to learn more about how you can join and the resources available, and let us know if you want to be a part of this exciting community. See you in Philly!