April 2016

Forum Monthly 

E-newsletter

VAM News 
Conference 2016 Attendees: 
  • Whether you are an EMP or an AMP, we thank you for attending and making #VAM2016 one of our best ever. 
  • Please take a moment to complete our conference evaluation survey.
  • If you are interested in purchasing Virginia Climate Fever, by Stephen P. Nash, our keynote for #VAM2016, we have a limited number available at the VAM office for $25 (includes shipping). Give us a call at 804.358.3170 to get yours.
  • Check out some of our conference photos on Flickr.
  • We have emailed participants with the link to conference handouts. We'll be continuing to add handouts as we receive them from our speakers.
Finally, here are some stats from #VAM2016: 
  • Silent auction raised $5,600
  • Scholarship fundraiser raised $2200
  • Over 450 attendees convened for the three-day event in Williamsburg, VA
The Hotel Roanoke
#VAM2017
Save the Date for our 2017 Annual Conference, #VAM2017, to be held at the Hotel Roanoke from March 18-21, 2017. We'll be holding our first conference planning meeting soon - stay tuned for details. Consider joining our local arrangements committee or our conference program committee. 

April Happy Hour Event
Our Fredericksburg Happy Hour will be held at from 5:30 - 7:00 pm April 7th at Capitol Ale House, located at 917 Caroline Street, in downtown Fredericksburg. Join us to mix and mingle. Food and beverage available for purchase.

Museums United
Keep up with the goings-on with Museums United Phase Two: An Initiative to Strengthen State Museum Associations. VAM is a key partner in this initiative, funded by the Institute for Museum and Library Services.
In This Issue
Hails and Farewells
Professional Development Opportunities
Thanks to our #VAM2016 Conference Sponsors
Member News & Kudos
Lynchburg College has accepted ownership of Historic Sandusky, a historic home near the College campus known for its role in a Civil War battle. Sandusky will benefit from cost savings associated with being a part of a larger organization while LC students will have more opportunities to learn through hands-on work at the museum. 

The Alexandria Archaeological Commission will hold a public forum on the nominations received in 2015 for threatened and endangered archaeological and historical sites in Alexandria, on Tuesday, April 5, 6-9 p.m., at The Lyceum, located at 201 S. Washington Street, in Old Town Alexandria.  Reservations are requested, and can be made via email or calling 703.746.4399. Learn more. 

Help make the 2016 edUi Conference a great one! All you need is an idea, a story, or a little expertise and the desire to share it with your web colleagues working in higher ed, libraries, and museums. Submit a proposal for a talk, mini-workshop, expert panel, public square discussion, or half-day workshop. Learn more.

The University of Virginia and the Thomas Jefferson Foundation at Monticello recently announced their highest honors, the 2016 Thomas Jefferson Foundation Medals in Architecture, Law, Citizen Leadership and Global Innovation. Learn more about the recipients

The Virginia Folklife Program at Virginia Foundation for the Humanities (VFH) announced the 2016-2017 class of Master Artists in the Virginia Folklife Apprenticeship Program. Master Artists are selected through a competitive process including all forms of Virginia's expressive cultures. 
"Through this unique program, we work with incredibly accomplished musicians and craftspeople who are dedicated to passing along vitally important art forms to future generations," said Jon Lohman, State Folklorist and director of the Virginia Folklife Program. 

Audrey Davis
Governor Terry McAuliffe announced his appointment of Audrey P. Davis, director of the Alexandria Black History Museum, to the State Historical Records Advisory Board. The Board serves as the central advisory body for historical records planning and related projects developed and carried out by the state, and promotes an understanding of the role and value of historical records.
Davis is the former president of the Alexandria Historical Society (AHS) and currently serves as the AHS vice president. She is a past president of the Virginia Association of Museums (VAM). Currently, Ms. Davis serves on the boards of Preservation Virginia, Carlyle House and Living Legends of Alexandria. Congratulations to Audrey!

Stratford Hall recently announced the restoration of the Stratford Hall Gate House has begun! Funds have been raised to restore the building's exterior and to upgrade the interior to meet current needs

Governor Terry McAuliffe announced that The Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) received $50,000 from the Virginia Tourism Corporation (VTC) Marketing Leverage Program grant fund. In total VTC awarded more than $812,000 for 39 tourism marketing projects across the state to help increase visitation and revenue for Virginia's localities through tourism. 

From Maymont: In March 1926, for the first time, the entire community was invited to step inside the gates of Maymont. The 100-acre Gilded Age estate was an extraordinary gift to the City of Richmond from James and Sallie Dooley who lived there from 1893 to 1925. Ninety years later, Maymont continues to be one of the most popular attractions in the Richmond region. Read about the commemoration
Hails and Farewells
The Mary Ball Washington Museum and Library welcomed new members of the Board of Directors Lex Forrester, Morgan Curry, Dana Hall, and Ammon Dunton; they also bid farewell and thank retired Board members Frank Kober, Myra Palin, and Larry Adam. Read more.

Kathy Rogers (left) and Barbara Parker (right)
Piedmont Arts recently announced the retirement of its long-time director of programs Barbara Parker. "Barbara has been such an asset during her nearly 20 years with Piedmont Arts," said Executive Director Kathy Rogers. "She has not only been an exemplary employee, but a strong advocate for the arts in our community and we will miss having her here at the museum on a day-to-day basis."

The Board of Directors of the Hermitage Museum & Gardens elected three new board members whose terms began on January 1, 2016. The new members include Allison Dunleavy, Christina Goode, and William E. King. 


Springtime Additions at Stratford Hall: February was a busy month for our Devon cattle. Two female Devon calves were born, one on February 8 and another on February 29. Devon cattle originate from the southwestern English county of Devon. Both calves are happy, healthy, and being watched over by their mothers. Also, six Dominique chickens have now taken up residence at Stratford Hall. The Dominique is recognized as America's first chicken breed. The chickens were graciously donated by Suzette Ellington, a professional poultry grower.
Professional Development Opportunities
Check out the University of Richmond's offerings through their Institute on Philanthropy. From Board Development to Grant Writing, Fundraising to Marketing, there is something for everyone.
  
  

Learn about the Museum Studies Minor at Lynchburg College
You'll learn by doing: visiting museums and historic sites during a study abroad experience, joining an archeological dig, curating an exhibition at LC's Daura Gallery, or gaining real-life knowledge at the Ramsey-Freer Herbarium and Historic Sandusky.
 
The Connecting to Collections Care webinar offerings for Spring 2016:
April 7, 2016, 2:00 - 3:30 PM ET Artifacts in Archives Collections
April 14, 2016, 2:00 - 3:30 EDT: "Much Ado About Mannequins: Making the Perfect Form"
May 3, 2016, 1:30 - 3:00 ET Arsenic and Old Lace: Controlling Hazardous Collection Materials
Register at www.connectingtocollections.org All C2C Care webinars are free!

May 15 - May 28, 2016
The program provides an overview of the philosophy, process, and techniques for museum-quality architectural restoration and conservation.
Application deadline: March 25. Learn more at www.popularforest.org

From Ferrum College: Oxen in the Blue Ridge, a training & driving workshop
June 10 - 12, 2016 
Sessions for all skill levels; lots of hands-on opportunities. 
More Museum News
According to Humanities Indicators: A Project of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, In addition to using libraries and visiting museums, historic site visitation is another common form of public engagement with the humanities. The percentage of people reporting at least one such visit in the previous year fell by more than a third from 1982 to 2012, with declines across most age groups. Read more. 

The Americans in Wartime Museum has completed an important phase of its master planning process. This issue of the museum's newsletter features illustrations and conceptual renderings of the planned Museum, which will be located on a 70-acre site in Prince William County, Virginia. 

Officials in Richmond hope to break ground on a memorial or museum at the site of Lumpkin's slave jail in Shockoe Bottom before the end of the year, though what that site will ultimately look like remains to be determined. Read more from the Richmond Times-Dispatch

The EPA has approximately $2,730,000 to disburse in grant funds for local environmental education initiatives. The EPA expects to award more than 3,600 grants. The deadline to apply is April 8.

In mid-April, the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) will begin the demolition and reconstruction of the VWC-Skippers. A larger, modern and technology enhanced building is targeted to reopen in April 2017. This new building will help better serve Virginia visitors, the traveling public and industry partners.
Join our Mailing List!