The Annual CLHO conference attracts more than 200 museum professionals, board members and volunteers representing the over 400 history museums, historical societies, historic sites, historic house  museums, libraries, and archives in Connecticut. This full-day conference offers an Exhibitor and Vendor Hall, the Award of Merit Luncheon and Awards presentation, and opportunities for networking with people just like you.

THEME 

In today’s climate of unrelenting media, questions of what’s fake news or real news, the cloying clutter of internet trolls, as well as the “unvetted information on demand” internet generation, our history organizations provide a grounding of reality for our visitors with truth as conveyed by our facts and artifacts.  

But…do we?

What is the role that history organizations play in getting the “truth" out there, and preserving today’s truths for the future? Do your labels, docents, AND programs offer truth to your audience, and, whose truth is it? Have you ever come across an unbreakable mystery – or myth – in your organization? Did it hold you or your organization back?  What assumptions do you have about your visitors, your board, your finances, or your collections that close doors on new opportunities? Do you have a history mystery, professional skill, or trick of the trade that you’d like to share?  

Get ready to debunk some of the issues and challenges of the past – and jumpstart your future! With insight from our colleagues, we hope to turn “can’t do,” “won’t work,” “why try” - into “can do,” “will work,” and “let’s go” practices.  

 

LOCATION 

This year's conference will be at our new home, Central Connecticut State University, located at 1615 Stanley Street in New Britain, Connecticut. There is ample parking located on the premises.

SCHEDULE AT A GLACE

8:15 am: Registration Opens            

9:00 am: CLHO Annual Meeting

10:00 am:  Breakout Session 1

11:15 am: Keynote (Memorial Hall)

12:15 pm: Lunch (Memorial Hall)

1:30 pm: Breakout Session 2

3:00 pm: Breakout Session 3

4:15 pm: Conference Wrap-Up (Memorial Hall)

4:30 pm: Award of Merit Reception (Memorial Hall)

6:00 pm: Networking (Memorial Hall)

KEYNOTE: Debunk’d: History, Memory, and Healing

Please join CLHO for our annual conference keynote, facilitated by Jamal Jimerson of the Minority Inclusion Project, with panelists Lorén Spears (Tomaquag Museum), Matthew Warshaeur (Professor of History, Central Connecticut State University), and Braden Paynter (International Coalition of Sites of Conscience), for an intriguing discussion about the practice of history and preserving memories, and how opening doors can open minds to stronger community connections.

In today’s contemporary times of heightened anxiety and the increase of the “with us or against us” mentality, the people and places that practice and present history (historians, historical societies, and museums) are spending valuable time considering what to preserve, what to say, and how to present it.

Can history help heal our divisions? Or will our perceptions and memories of historic events further the divide? How can our field, with our interests, skills, and authentic experiences help bring relief to our communities?

SESSIONS AT A GLANCE (PRELIMINARY CONFERENCE PROGRAM)

• What and How are Adult Visitors Learning at History Museums: In Their Own Words        
  
• Museums & Social Media: A Legal Perspective   
  
• Myth: The Record must be Perfect! Fact: Just Do It! Cataloging with CT Collections
  
• Shared Resources: How Can We Collaborate to Save Money and Be More Effective?
  
• Having Faith in the Process: Building Internal and External Trust to Create Organizational Change
  
• Debunking Collections Mysteries and Myths       
  
• Where's the Funding?             
  
• Storytelling and Truth: Journalism in the Museum            
  
• Debunking Myths about Refugees and Immigrants
  
• National Mythology Through a Native Lens: Thanksgiving from Another Perspective
  
• StEPs Reunion!
  
• Seeing Change: Using Art to Teach History—Florence Griswold Museum’s SEE/change Project
  
• Dark Stewardship: When Ghosts Become Part of the Collection  
  
• Ban History Mysteries! 
  

AWARDS OF MERIT EVENING RECEPTION

Please join CLHO in honoring this year's Award of Merit winners at an evening reception from 4:30pm to 6:00pm on June 4, 2018 in the Constitution Room at Memorial Hall at Central Connecticut State University in New Britain. Refreshments to be served; cash bar.

Award of Merit winners receive one free admission to the evening reception. Additional tickets to the evening reception may be purchased. Please contact Laurie Lamarre at director@clho.org, or call 860-832-2674 for the evening reception-only registration code.