We are now carrying the new "Margaret Fuller in New England" self-guided trail guide! Part of the proceeds benefit ongoing educational work.
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 | | Margaret Fuller in New England |
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From
Our Affiliate | 
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Greetings!
What an amazing holiday season this has turned out to be. On top of the religious holidays past and coming up, we have just marked a total lunar eclipse coinciding with the beginning of the Winter Solstice -- the first time that has happened since 1638. One wonders what our colonial forebears thought of this event!
One of the things I learned is that that day, December 21, was a time of high optimism and reflection that carries through into the new year. Isn't that wonderful? I can already feel things shifting for the better!
Whatever you are celebrating this month, I send you my very best wishes to you and your family and my sincere gratitude for your business, your interest, and your support.
I am feeling giddily optimistic about 2011, and I hope you are as well.
Please enjoy the ideas shared below, and keep in touch!
 BonnieP.S. Many of you have commented on my involvement with the Margaret Fuller Bicentennial during 2010, and I am pleased to report that the "Margaret Fuller in New England" self-guided trail booklet is now available for sale at History Smiths. Part of the proceeds return to the Bicentennial Committee to allow them to continue their educational work into 2011. Yours truly researched, wrote, and designed the trail guide, and I hope you enjoy it! |
Controversial Building Project?
History Can Help You Win People Over!
by Bonnie Hurd Smith
 | | Maritime Museum at the Battery Wharf development project in Boston |
Those of you who are developers, architects, lawyers, bankers, municipal administrators, or economic development professionals of one stripe or another know exactly what I mean by the words "controversial building project." In fact, all of us who are active citizens in our community are aware of the public wrangling that takes place over a new office building, a new senior center, or the demolition of a treasured structure.
After public hearings have been held, decisions have been made, and a project is moving forward, then the question becomes: How do we get the community to rally behind the project and smooth some of those ruffled feathers?
I submit that local history can help! (continued)
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Want Women Customers? Try Some
Women's History to Impress and Attract Them!
 | | French author and reformer George Sand |
by Bonnie Hurd Smith
It just happened again! Another conversation with a store owner who told me, "Well, what you do to connect businesses with history sounds interesting, but I don't see how that could apply to me."
"What do you do?" I asked. Turns out she owns a cigar store in a small town in southern New Hampshire, and happens to attract a large number of women customers.
"Wonderful!" I exclaimed, and here's what I prescribed for her.
· Find out what your town is doing to celebrate National Women's
History Month (March) - and it's probably nothing. Contact the
historical society and public library; those are the likely places to
put on some kind of program. Work with them to create an event. Be part
of it, and be present.
· Do some research on famous and successful women in history who were
known for being slightly eccentric or "masculine" - women who refused
to let themselves be defined by their rigid society. Try especially to
find women who shocked people by smoking cigars - or even just by
smoking. Celebrate them at the Women's History Month program and in
your store during the month of March! (continued)
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