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I am PASSIONATE about history as a source of information and inspiration.
But I am also PURPOSEFUL about history because, used strategically, it can PROFIT you, your business, or organization in ways you can't even imagine.
That's what we do at History Smiths: We find those connections for you -- connections that benefit you AND the communities you serve.
Check us out, be inspired, and be in touch!
-Bonnie Hurd Smith, CEO
   
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How do you "do" your business history? I give you easy steps to follow -- and ideas about what to do next!
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If your business or organization is about to celebrate an anniversary, please don't just throw a party! We'll show you how
to really leverage this important event.
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Can a history trail benefit your business economically?
Absolutely! And it will
also benefit your historical nonprofits, community,
and everyone involved. Here's a "done for you" process to follow.
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Greetings!
In the last issue of Connections, I wrote about capturing the stories of veterans now while we can, and I am so excited to tell you that I will be attending a conference for women veterans on Saturday, June 18, 2011 at Salem State College as an exhibitor. My goal is to ask women I meet to share their stories with me, write them down, and tell them. I can't wait, and I am so grateful to the two people who steered me in this direction (you know who you are!). And on the subject of military, I decided to share two personal stories with you -- stories that I believe are also lessons in how supporting community events, especially those connected to veterans and history, comes back to you in ways you will never know --comes back to you personally, and to your business or organization. I believe this with all my heart, and as we approach Veterans Day this fall, please contact your town and ask how you can get involved. Watching a parade is fine, but can you play a more active role? So for all the people who keep asking me, "What is with you and the military?" these two articles will answer the question. Sure, I love a man in uniform, who doesn't?, but it goes beyond that! Both of these stories involve my grandfather, both involve community events, and both changed my life for the better -- again, you never know how your community involvement can literally change lives but it can. Please let me know how you plan to mark Veterans Day. I would love to hear your ideas!
Be well, and be in touch!
Bonnie
P.S. Here's the link to that women's conference if you're interested! |
How a Special Event Introduced Me
to My Grandfather
 | | You never know when your support of a military community event will change a life -- just know that it can! |
by Bonnie Hurd Smith
One sparkling summer afternoon the Navy League of Boston held an outdoor cookout at Coast Guard Station Gloucester, Massachusetts. I attended with a (male) friend in the Navy, and prepared (as a civilian woman) to be either ignored or bored by endless "shop talk."
Instead, for some reason, when I filled out my name tag, this time I decided to include my middle name. The head of the Navy League took one look at the name "Hurd," gasped, and said, "Are you related to Jack Hurd?" "Yes, I replied, he was my grandfather."
That was a game changer. It felt like the heavens had opened up the way this man responded, and I suddenly became the belle of the ball. Everyone wanted to meet me and tell me a story about my grandfather, and I found myself "meeting" a side of him I knew nothing about. I still choke up! (continued here)
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How Your Business or Organization Can Say "Thank You" to Veterans
 | | Armory Park, Peabody Essex Museum, Salem, MA Anyone who supported this project stands a little taller because of it! |
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by Bonnie Hurd Smith
The community events we choose to support with our businesses, organizations, or as individuals speaks volumes about what we value, and we all have a wonderful opportunity coming up this Fall - Veterans Day. It's a time to say "thank you," to meet and speak with veterans (most people don't know any), and a time, especially for young people, to put down the texting and learn about service, honor, and history.
How will your community mark Veterans Day and how can you visibly demonstrate your appreciation for the veterans in your town?
It will come back to you
I had the pleasure of helping to create a military event in Salem, Massachusetts, for the Peabody Essex Museum - which continues every year -- and there is no doubt in my mind that the museum's decision to plan this event in the way they did has come back to them in spades. (continued here)
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Do you have a question about how history can benefit your business, organization, or you personally? I would love to hear it, and I would love to answer it!
I might even feature your business or organization here, because others could benefit from the information!
If you're a nonprofit, you are also a business. Ask away! And if you're a historical nonprofit, do you have questions about how what we do can provide you with new revenue streams?
Please be in touch with your question!
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History Smiths believes in the three P's of History -- Passion, Purpose, and Profit. If you think about and use history
with PURPOSE and PASSION, you, your business, or organization will PROFIT in ways you can't even imagine!
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