IAM Blogs

By: David Bellm, Illinois Association of Museums Volunteer

Recruiting volunteers has always been an important challenge for museums. Fortunately, today’s digital platforms make the task far easier than it used to be. No matter what type of volunteer you’re looking for, the job of reaching potential candidates is vastly more efficient using today’s many social media platforms.

But, like most tools, there are ways to use them more effectively. This is especially important in the process of recruiting volunteers. Museums looking to reach potential volunteers now compete with more distractions than ever, as people of all ages are more saturated during both their free time and working hours. It takes the right approach to cut through the media clutter that bombards most people, so you can reach the individuals you’d like to see lending a hand to your organization.

With that in mind, here are some terrific ways museums can use social media to more effectively recruit volunteers.

Choose the Right Platform

Each platform has its own unique audience and specializes in particular types of media. You’ll get the best results by choosing platforms that are most likely to attract the types of volunteers you’re looking for, while also aligning with the kinds of content you’re most comfortable creating.

For example, Instagram tends to attract a relatively young audience, and the platform is built primarily around photos and other visual media. TikTok is similar in that regard but focuses on lively, short videos. In contrast to these two, Facebook has a somewhat more mature audience, and the platform allows a wider range of content types, including short videos that are similar to those on TikTok.

Although it’s beyond the scope of this article to give a detailed rundown of the pros and cons of all the different social media platforms, such information is easy to find online. Take some time to get to know the strengths of each platform, and choose ones that give you the best combination of attributes for your purposes.

And remember, you don’t need to post on all social media platforms. In fact, trying to use too many at once can dilute your efforts to the point where you don’t have a strong presence on any of them. Experts recommend choosing just two or three platforms that align well with your goals and can accommodate the types of content that suit your organization.

Tell Stories

Human beings are genetically wired to respond to stories, so it’s a proven, effective way to capture people’s attention. Stories make it easier for potential volunteers to relate to your organization and picture themselves being a part of it. Authentic, behind-the-scenes content like this is an excellent way to show what volunteers are doing and celebrate their efforts.

And don’t fret over whether you have anything worth turning into a story. Any project or event that involves volunteers is a potential story to support your recruiting efforts. In particular, focus on the different types of volunteers involved, how they contribute, and what they enjoy about working with the museum.

Emphasize the WIIFM (“What’s In It for Me?”)

Although many people have specific benefits in mind when they consider volunteering for a museum, it often helps to connect the dots and really drive home what people will get out of the experience. This can be the tipping point that gets potential volunteers past their initial reservations about giving their time, enabling them to justify sacrificing other things to get involved.

To that end, one particularly strong benefit to emphasize is any potential career benefits, such as résumé building, networking opportunities, and skill development. Then top that off with things like free admission to events, discounts, and behind-the-scenes access to exhibits — all of which can be powerful incentives for volunteering. Then put the cherry on top with nice little details like that free hoodie volunteers get.

Focus on the Fun

Although volunteers do a lot of work, there’s usually plenty of fun to be had as well. Museum volunteer opportunities naturally attract groups of like-minded individuals engaged in collaborative activities, so socializing and camaraderie are built into the experience. This aspect of volunteering can be an extremely powerful draw, so it should definitely be a foundational element of your recruiting efforts.

Start by continually sharing candid photos of happy volunteers laughing, working together, and celebrating. This type of positive energy consistently featured in your social media can really jump-start your recruiting efforts. And while you’re at it, encourage your volunteers to post their own photos too, so your audience gets the story from multiple sources.

Highlight the Difference Volunteers Make

While there are a wide variety of reasons why people volunteer, everyone wants to know they’re contributing to something worthwhile and making a difference. So don’t be shy about sharing the contributions your volunteers are making and the overall effect they’re having. This can be done in practically any type of media, including photos, videos, and story-based posts.

Start by sharing specific ways volunteers are helping the museum become more successful — welcoming guests, assisting with programming, sharing their knowledge with families, and more. Then expand by showing how volunteers are serving the local community through efforts such as educational outreach, accessibility initiatives, and local collaborations.

And don’t forget, like most things in social media, a good picture is worth a thousand words — or more. Make visuals a key element in this kind of storytelling.

Show How the Museum Appreciates Volunteers

Volunteering can, of course, provide a wide array of rich rewards. But when you get right down to it, the job is still ultimately unpaid work. And that’s why it’s especially important for museums to show volunteers that the gift of their time and effort is very much appreciated.

Ideally, your social media should show gratitude as much as recruitment. Fortunately, there are practically unlimited ways to do so. You can post photos from volunteer appreciation events. Or set up a recurring series of appreciation features, such as a Volunteer of the Month. And don’t forget shout-outs for volunteers’ birthdays, accomplishments, and milestones.

Collaborate With Others

One of the best ways to amplify your reach in any social media effort is by teaming up with other like-minded people and organizations. By doing so, you not only bring your message to a wider audience, you also get a boost in credibility that comes from the endorsement of someone your audience respects.

Start by looking for local influencers who align with your organization’s mission. Invite them to the museum, encourage them to volunteer for a day and share the experience with their followers. Also team up with schools and colleges that are a good fit for your museum’s subject matter. Collaborate with them to highlight the career-related benefits of your organization. And don’t forget local community organizations. Local nonprofits, service clubs, and other groups can be a rich resource of experienced volunteers.

Post Regularly

Consistency is one of the most important elements of any communications program, and it’s especially vital when trying to recruit volunteers via social media. If you post only sporadically, or only when you’re in dire need of volunteers, you risk missing strong potential candidates simply because they missed the relatively brief window you were posting about it.

Aim for at least four posts a week, and mix up the different types of media and styles of posts. Doing this keeps your museum and your volunteer program top of mind with your audience. It also establishes your museum as reliable and active in the community.

Don’t Forget to Ask

When focusing on all the various elements of social media, it’s easy to overlook one of the most fundamental techniques for recruiting volunteers. And this technique happens to be one of the most effective of all — asking for volunteers!

If you continue posting content highlighting volunteers without actually asking people to sign up, many potential volunteers may assume that all the volunteer slots are taken and your museum doesn’t need any more help. So tell your audience regularly about the volunteer positions your museum needs. And don’t beat around the bush. Direct calls to action make your intentions clear. For example, “We’re looking for enthusiastic volunteers for our upcoming family day! Interested? Click the link in bio to apply!”

And that brings us to our final point.

Make It as Easy as Possible to Apply

We live in a busy world, and most people struggle to find time to get everything done each day. So, respect their time by removing as much friction as possible from the volunteer application process. Always be sure to add a link to your volunteer application in your bio and posts, and make any forms as clear, quick, and easy as possible.

The initial signup can be as simple as a checkbox that says, “I’d like to volunteer! Please contact me,” and then a field for an email address or phone number. This minimal approach can help remove any hesitation people may have about jumping in and getting involved. From there, it’s up to you. Contact the person quickly and keep things moving.

Final Thoughts

Many organizations think of social media primarily as a tool for promotion, but it can and should be much more than that. When it comes to attracting new volunteers, these platforms are a powerful tool that’s unrivaled among recruiting methods. By using social media to build community, spark inspiration, and invite your enthusiastic audience to be part of your museum’s story, you can build a highly effective, deeply engaged volunteer force that can work wonders.

Sources:

VolunteerMatch – “How To Recruit Volunteers Using Social Media”

https://blogs.volunteermatch.org/how-to-recruit-volunteers-using-social-media

Soapbox Engage – “6 Social Media Best Practices for Engaging More Volunteers”

https://www.soapboxengage.com/blog/2098-6-social-media-best-practices-for-engaging-more-volunteers

Constant Contact – “Engage, Inform, Recruit: How Nonprofits Can Use Social Media to Recruit Volunteers”

https://www.constantcontact.com/blog/social-media-to-recruit-volunteers

Media Cause – “Social Media Best Practices for Nonprofits: A Comprehensive Guide”

https://mediacause.com/social-media-best-practices-for-nonprofits

Wild Apricot – “The Ultimate Social Media Guide for Nonprofits”

https://www.wildapricot.com/blog/social-media-guide-for-nonprofits

Feathr – “Building a Nonprofit Social Media Strategy: 5 Steps and Tips”

https://www.feathr.co/resources/blog/nonprofit-social-media-strategy

Constant Contact – “Social Media for Nonprofits: A Comprehensive Guide”

https://www.constantcontact.com/blog/social-media-for-nonprofits

Goodera – “Nonprofit Social Media Strategy: 11 Best Practices”

https://www.goodera.com/blog/social-media-for-nonprofits

Hootsuite – “Social Media for Nonprofits: 12 Essential Tips for Success”

https://blog.hootsuite.com/social-media-for-nonprofits

By: David Bellm, Illinois Association of Museums Volunteer

Fresh, forward-thinking talent can bring vitality and energy to any organization. Without it, museums run the risk of falling out of step with contemporary expectations, viewpoints, and methodologies. But the pace of change in those elements is accelerating. Adding to the challenge, it can sometimes be difficult for established professionals to see the degree or specific direction of change from inside the culture of the organization that employs them.

At the same time, there will always be a normal cycle of people leaving the profession for various reasons. These resources, of course, must be replaced. And ideally, the time to start thinking about that is well before the need arises. Recruiting should therefore be an ongoing process, in which the most promising talent is guided, familiarized, and nurtured to the point of readiness.

One of the most effective ways for museums to address these challenges is by building strong, long-term partnerships with universities. These institutions are a potent ecosystem of research, training, and progressive ideas. And, by their very nature, they create vast bodies of individuals seeking to apply what they’ve learned in real-world settings.

Complementing this are the many opportunities museums can potentially provide for experiential learning, training, and collaboration. This combination can make partnerships between museums and universities mutually beneficial while fostering the development of a robust pipeline of talent for museums.

In this article, we’ll explore some proven ways museums can effectively collaborate with academic institutions to identify and attract emerging professionals. By cooperatively initiating programs such as internships, mentorships, and research initiatives, museums can develop tomorrow’s workforce while adding significant capabilities to their current operations.

Here are some great ways to start:

Establish Powerful Internship Programs

Internships and fellowships are vital elements in the museum-university relationship. A well-thought-out, effectively implemented internship program can give students valuable hands-on experience beyond the classroom. Along with this, fellowships offer the possibility of deep involvement in museum projects of specific areas of interest, such as curatorial work, conservation, or education.

These opportunities should ideally align with the university’s course objectives, with credit given for participation. Structuring internships and fellowships in this way can provide additional motivation for students and help museums attract top candidates. Along with this, internships and fellowships should be created for maximum accessibility. For example, students from underserved backgrounds are often unable to participate in unpaid opportunities. Such barriers can be offset somewhat by offering stipends, scholarships, or housing assistance. This helps promote equity and attract a more diverse pool of participants.

To further this effort, fellowships can be targeted to underrepresented groups, or emerging fields such as digital engagement. Doing so can help align workforce development with wider strategic goals of diversity, equity, and innovation.

Facilitate Collaborative Research Projects

Museums typically have extensive collections, archives, and public programs. These are extremely valuable when it comes to academic research. By creating collaborative research programs with students and faculty, museums can access a rich source of scholarly expertise and advance their own collective knowledge. In return, universities gain access to a wealth of research material that can further their own efforts.

Such research collaborations can include co-authored publications, development of exhibitions, or collection-based studies. To maximize the visibility of these initiatives, research symposiums or student presentations can be hosted. In these events, university partners would share their findings with the museum staff and the public. Besides bringing greater attention to the museum and the university, such efforts would encourage greater dialogue between disciplines, boost academic engagement, and fortify the museum’s position as a center of knowledge.

Develop Mentorship and Networking Opportunities

Mentorship is a proven element of museum career development. Students can get invaluable benefits from the insight and guidance of experienced professionals as they offer an inside view of museum work, career paths, and industry challenges. Pairing students with museum staff members in structured mentorship programs provides highly beneficial exposure to the field in ways that simply can’t be duplicated in classrooms. This benefits both museum and university, and it can be one of the most effective ways to meet and attract promising candidates.

Along with this, museums should be a source of ongoing networking opportunities for students. By hosting networking events and career panels, museums can introduce students to a wide range of paths in museum careers. Such opportunities are an effective way to draw students to an organization, as they naturally seek the means of accessing their chosen career field and preparing their unique trajectory into it.

Mentorship and networking can be further expanded by inviting previous interns and fellows to share advice, job leads, and experiences with students. This not only makes greater use of these past participants’ experience, it also can serve to inspire and motivate current students who are considering the program or just starting in it.

Co-Design Educational Programs and Workshops

When museums and universities collaborate effectively, it can help close the gap between the knowledge gained in classes and the real-world application of it. This effect can be further heightened by co-creating workshops, short courses, certificate programs, and other cooperative educational programs. Such programs can be especially effective when they focus on topics only lightly covered in coursework. This is where museums have a unique opportunity to offer highly targeted microcredentials—short-term programs to build specific competencies that are valued in the job market.

Museums can effectively attract forward-thinking students by concentrating these programs on emerging topics such as sustainability in museum operations, digital curation, inclusive storytelling, and the use of AI. This not only helps students become more prepared to face the challenges of the future, it also positions the museum as progressive, visionary, and future-oriented.

Image Credit: Kampus Production.

Host Student-Centered Events and Exhibitions

Another great way to attract and engage students and faculty is by hosting events such as academic conferences, guest lectures, art shows, and panel discussions. These kinds of events can offer terrific opportunities for students to develop their professional skills, while at the same time fostering stronger ties between museums and universities.

One especially effective type of event is co-hosted exhibitions curated by students. These can be part of a capstone project or part of a museum studies course. Events such as these can give students a powerful platform for applying their knowledge and offer museums fresh perspectives and new interpretations of collections. These can be powerful recruitment tools that demonstrate to potential interns or fellows the kind of work that can be done within the institution. By immersing students in programming, interpretation, and visitor engagement, museums can provide nuanced learning experiences that effectively portray real-world work within the institution.

Integrate Service Learning and Community Engagement

Service-learning partnerships with universities can make a particularly strong impact in community education and outreach. Service learning gives students opportunities to apply academic knowledge to in-the-field projects that benefit museums and the public alike. These kinds of programs can potentially address a vast range of needs within the community. For instance, students could help design an exhibit for underserved communities, create educational materials for K-12 programs, or develop an outreach initiative to promote cultural inclusion.

Museums can further amplify these collaborations by teaming with disciplines other than traditional museum studies programs. By involving fields such as social work, education, public health, and communications, museums can access valuable perspectives that can yield tangible benefits throughout the organization.

Organize Career Development Events

One of the most effective ways for museums to identify and attract promising talent is by holding career events such as job fairs, informational interviews, and resume workshops. Students are highly responsive to these types of events, as they seek tools and insight that can help them in establishing their career.

Career panels can feature professionals from several museum disciplines to give students broad insight on potential roles. Beyond just learning the day-to-day work of each position, these sessions can also serve to break down some of the intimidation students may feel as they begin their career. Panel participants can be encouraged to share stories that humanize the work they do.

Ideally, these events should complement one another, with museums offering an ongoing range of career development functions for students. For example, museums can hold a career panel in the early fall, and then host a resume clinic soon after, followed by a job fair after that.

To maximize the recruitment value of career programs, museums should be sure to follow up and stay in touch with attendees. By building enduring connections with students, museums can share internship or fellowship openings and invite students to future events. This kind of engagement can be key to fostering a strong connection with promising candidates down the road.

Investing in the Future Workforce

Partnerships between museums and universities are essential for building a workforce that’s strong, diverse, and adaptive. At the same time, such collaborations are highly beneficial for everyone involved: museums access a steady source of fresh talent, energy, and academic rigor; students get hands-on experience, mentorship, and career development; and universities get expanded resources, additional credibility, and increased exposure in the community.

Along with this, the combination of effective internships, mentorships, educational programs, and collaborative projects can enhance how a museum is perceived. Such efforts can position museums as not just cultural institutions, but as forward-thinking organizations that are shaping the future of their profession.

By investing in long-term university partnerships, museums can not only serve their mission-driven aims of educating, engaging, and serving the public, they can also attract the talent needed to remain vibrant and relevant for generations to come.

Image Credit: Ketut Subiyanto.

Sources:

Inside Higher Ed

“The Transformative Potential of Museum-University Partnerships”

https://www.insidehighered.com/blogs/higher-ed-gamma/transformative-potential-museum-university-partnerships

University of Stirling / Museum University Partnerships Initiative

National Informal STEM Education Network (NISE Network)

“A Guide to Building Partnerships Between Science Museums and University Based Research Centers”

https://www.nisenet.org/sites/default/files/catalog/uploads/11178/partnerguide-v2.pdf

Journal of Community Engagement and Scholarship

“Innovative Expansion of a University and Art Museum Partnership”

https://jces.ua.edu/articles/102/files/62e2f0b006098.pdf

University of the Arts London

“Realities and impacts of museum-university partnerships in England”

file:///Users/littlemac/Downloads/MUPI-Literature-Review-and-Research-Report-FINAL.pdf

MW2013: Museums and the Web 2013

“’Howdy Partner!’ The Transformative Power of Museum-University Partnerships”

https://mw2013.museumsandtheweb.com/paper/howdy-partner-the-transformative-power-of-museum-university-partnerships/index.html

By: David Bellm, Illinois Association of Museums Volunteer

Volunteers are essential to the success of museums, enhancing the visitor experience and offering invaluable support behind the scenes. For many museums, day-to-day operations would be nearly impossible without the valuable work of people who generously give their time for free. For that reason, it’s vital that museums nurture and maintain their volunteer staff by acknowledging and celebrating the unique contributions of volunteers.

To show appreciation for volunteers, museums often recognize individuals with awards, thank-you notes, or special mentions on social media and in newsletters. While gestures like these are certainly worthwhile, the relationship between museums and their volunteers can further benefit from a deeper, more nuanced approach. This ‘deep appreciation’ mindset empathizes with the underlying goals and emotions of volunteers and builds on these motivators with long-term collaboration.

Such an approach is, of course, more complex and time-intensive than simply praising volunteers' contributions. However, deep appreciation isn’t necessarily difficult. It starts with understanding what volunteers hope to get out of their individual efforts and then working with them to guide their museum journey toward those goals. Here are some great ways to begin:

Tailor Appreciation to Individual Goals and Interests

Showing deep appreciation for volunteers should begin by understanding each person’s needs, expectations, goals, and interests. Be prepared for these to vary widely. Some volunteers come to make friends and socialize, others are drawn by a passion for the museum’s particular subject matter, and some are looking to build skills and experience for career development.

Museum volunteer managers should have a one-on-one meeting with each volunteer as part of the onboarding process to discuss what the volunteer hopes to get out of the experience. The insight gained from this discussion can shape and inform how each volunteer is utilized. For example, a volunteer with a graphic design background might enjoy creating promotional materials for an upcoming exhibition, or someone passionate about community outreach may welcome the opportunity to create an engagement program.

Create a Structured Development Program for Volunteers

Once you understand the deeper personal motivations of your volunteers, you can utilize their time and experience more effectively by building a volunteer development program that tailors opportunities to individual skills and experiences. Although there’s no set way to implement such a program, one proven method is a tiered system. In this arrangement, volunteers would start with foundational roles and then advance to more complex responsibilities as they gain skills and experience.

To further enhance the appreciation aspect of such a program, volunteers could be given the opportunity to earn certifications or badges in various areas of their work, such as curatorial skills, visitor education, or research. By adding this structure and recognition, you build reward and acknowledgment into the program, giving volunteers the appreciation and respect they deserve.

Provide Career Development Assistance

While some people volunteer at museums purely for enjoyment, many do so to build experience and skills they can apply to their careers. This is particularly true among younger volunteers. A great way to show appreciation for these volunteers is by providing guidance and support for their career aspirations. This can take the form of ongoing mentorship, where the museum pairs volunteers with appropriate staff members who can provide valuable insight and direction.

Such mentorship can be shaped and scaled to fit available resources and the needs of individual volunteers. Potential activities include job-shadowing, portfolio or resume development, and regularly scheduled one-on-one discussions. Programs like this not only provide valuable services to volunteers, but they also deepen the volunteer’s connection to the organization, motivating them to do high-quality work and maintain consistent attendance. Together, these reasons make mentorship one of the most meaningful ways museums can show appreciation for their volunteers.

Invite Volunteers to Help Develop Exhibits and Programs

Another great way to show appreciation for volunteers is by inviting them to help with the creative and planning processes of exhibits and programs. Doing so can be a ‘win-win’ for both volunteers and museums. In addition to bringing extra resources to the table, volunteers often have unique perspectives, derived from their personal interests and experiences. Involving them in the creative process gives them an opportunity to contribute these individual traits while acknowledging their skills and ideas.

The ways volunteers could assist in this process are nearly unlimited, but there are easy ways to start. For example, the museum could invite volunteers to design a temporary exhibit, suggest themes or objects for an upcoming show, or help plan a lecture series. Doing so shows that the museum values volunteers and what they offer. At the same time, it gives them a deeper sense of ownership and pride in the organization.

Offer Leadership Opportunities

Allowing volunteers to take on leadership roles is a great way to show them respect and appreciation. While not all volunteers have the desire, qualifications, or willingness to take on the greater responsibility that comes with leadership, many would welcome the opportunity. Acknowledging this shows volunteers that the museum is paying attention to their needs and values what they can contribute.

The possibilities for leadership are limited only by imagination. For example, seasoned volunteers can be given the chance to lead teams of new volunteers, facilitate tours, or manage certain events and programs. Volunteers could also be invited to host talks, workshops, or special events. Doing so would, of course, require ongoing direction, collaboration, and guidance from museum staff members. But this effort would pay off richly in terms of appreciation and recognition for volunteers.

Provide Opportunities to Network

Museums often have connections to a wide range of different professions and the people who work in those fields. This makes them a great source of networking possibilities, especially valuable to volunteers early in their careers. And so, another great way to show appreciation for volunteers is by helping them access these professional networking opportunities.

This could be achieved by facilitating introductions to museum professionals, offering tickets to museum conferences, or hosting networking events where volunteers can meet museum professionals. By helping volunteers build connections, museums can strengthen the bond with them. At the same time, it shows that the museum values not only what they contribute now but also their long-term potential.

Offer Financial Support for Further Education or Training

Another powerful way to recognize and show appreciation for volunteers is to provide tangible support for their ongoing education and career development. If there’s room in the museum’s budget, the museum could provide stipends or scholarships for workshops, seminars, or even degrees and certifications in the museum sector.

Although not all museums can afford such investments, keep in mind that these efforts don’t necessarily have to be large. It’s truly a matter of "It’s the thought that counts." Even a relatively small amount spent on training and education can send a powerful message that volunteers are valued by the organization. What’s more, it can pay dividends back to the museum by making volunteers more effective in their roles.

Deep Appreciation Benefits Everyone

When showing appreciation for museum volunteers, traditional methods such as awards and social media shout-outs are still effective. Museums should never stop those proven ways of highlighting and celebrating the contributions of volunteers. However, the potent benefits of showing appreciation in a deeper way require going beyond these more typical approaches.

By taking the time to learn the personal and professional needs of each volunteer and then providing opportunities for them to fulfill these aspirations, you can build deeper connections and greater motivation. In doing so, museums can more effectively develop a capable roster of experienced volunteers by empowering them to grow within the organization and beyond.

Sources:

Designing a Museum Volunteer Program – American Alliance of Museums

https://www.aam-us.org/programs/toolkits/designing-a-museum-volunteer-program/

Building a Strong Museum Volunteer Program: 4 Strategies – Civic Champs

https://www.civicchamps.com/post/build-museum-volunteer-program

9 Ways to Motivate and Engage Your Nonprofit’s Volunteers – Donorbox

https://donorbox.org/nonprofit-blog/motivate-and-engage-your-nonprofits-volunteers

10 Strategies to Show Appreciation to Your Volunteers – ASU Lodestar Center

https://lodestar.asu.edu/blog/2024/03/10-strategies-show-your-appreciation-your-volunteers

A Simple Strategy for Volunteer Appreciation and Retention – NonProfit PRO

https://www.nonprofitpro.com/article/a-simple-strategy-to-volunteer-appreciation-and-retention/

10 Free Ways to Show Volunteer Appreciation – UServeUtah

https://userve.utah.gov/10-free-ways-to-show-volunteer-appreciation/

By: Shana Cooper, Founder of The Resiliency Collective

Over the last few years, museums have been innovative in their approaches to furthering learning, engagement, and community. Many of these approaches are guided by the principles of diversity, equity, inclusion, and access, and driven by the urgency of the pandemic. While significant progress has been made to advance museums’ relationship with their audiences, there are still areas ripe for development.

Mental health–an essential component of overall wellbeing–is often left out of traditional DEIA frameworks. Integrating it could provide a tremendous benefit to communities and the museums serving them. The Resiliency Collective offers a next step in innovating the relationship museums have with their audiences by addressing their needs beyond learning and leisure and focusing on their mental wellbeing. Launched in 2021, The Resiliency Collective is a partnership between museum and mental health communities to create mental health-themed exhibits and programs at participating locations across Illinois. Since then, the project has grown to encompass a variety of services and resources designed to help museums reach new and returning audiences in deeper, more connected ways.

The strategies used in the project can be incorporated into any museum’s new and ongoing exhibits and programs and can serve as a model for how to get started. This blog explores some ways to begin this work.

West Chicago City Museum, West Chicago, IL

GETTING STARTED

START WITH WHAT YOU KNOW

As historians, educators, and program leaders, you know the importance of understanding your community and meeting them where they are. You also know the benefit of community connections for visitors and museums alike, so begin there, with a common purpose to engage.

Learning and education: What makes you unique as a community space, is that you are continuously learning and educating as new research, knowledge, and understanding emerges. Where we once believed mental health should be discussed privately and treated only clinically, we now see normalized conversations and myriad alternative approaches. This is an opportunity for you to do what you do best: learn about a relevant topic through research, training, and interacting with others, and then share what you know in practice. One organization to help you start is NAMI Illinois (National Alliance for Mental Illness). Every area of the state has a local NAMI affiliate that offers resources and support, and the organization provides training for staff at organization serving the public. The Resiliency Collective partnered with NAMI Illinois in 2023 to bring specialized exhibits and programs to three museums and cultural organizations across the state.

Illinois Art Station, Normal, IL

Maximizing your resources. As community organizations, you are experts at maximizing what you have, operating on creativity, and leaning into your network to rally your resources. Not only is integrating mental health and wellbeing into your work an extension of your practice, it also expands your toolbox to include more resources, ideas, and experts in your network. The Resiliency Collective is intended to broaden that network of resources and connections to reach more audiences and tailor experiences to those you already serve.

You have experience presenting sensitive topics. If you have hosted exhibits or events that offer insight into challenging times or tell the story of an extraordinary event, you have already broached mental health topics with your audience. You know how to do this in an educational format, now you have an opportunity to invite engagement beyond general questions. What your audience experiences when you present challenging material is as relevant to your interactions as academic information. It is the human elements that will stay with them afterward and encourage them to come back.

You already know your audience. It is all of us. People in your community who regularly or casually visit your space are living with mental health conditions. You are already interacting with them, and they are already engaged. You are part of this audience if you have, have ever had, or will ever experience a mental health condition, know someone who lives with one, know someone who cares for someone with a mental health condition, or considers yourself someone who cares about your own and others’ wellbeing. You can connect with your audience through shared experience almost right away. 

The next blog post will discuss where to go from here and include local and national examples of other museums already doing this work.

For more information on the project, or to learn how to get started, please reach out to

Shana Cooper at sbcooper79@gmail.com.

By: Anne Pesola, Museum Manager at the Little White School Museum

In the last 5 years, field trip numbers have decreased all over the country. From Covid-19 restrictions, to transportation issues, schools just don’t seem to be visiting museums anymore. While it is a huge setback, it does not mean we should give up on trying to reconnect with the schools! Listed below are just a few ideas to help reinvigorate your field trip and school program efforts.

1. Make it Relevant!

This may hurt for some people to hear, but most children do not want to hear about the architecture of the building or the very detailed history of the town. They want to relate to the material and be able to see themselves living in the past. Don’t dumb down your information, but rather, find a new way to approach it. Why not use some modern pop-culture references? Building a town/building in Minecraft is not that different from how settlers had to do it in real life! Get the students talking and laughing, it’s amazing how much more they will remember!

2. Make it Flexible

No two classrooms or schools are the same, so why try to force everyone to have the same experience? If one school wants to visit but cannot get the transportation, make a traveling version that can be taken into the school. If one class needs a lot of accommodations, slow the programs down and create time for breaks or snacks. Include alternative supplies for crafts or steps for games. This generation of students is not used to field trips and your program may be the first one for most of them!

3. Link Everything Back to State Standards

This one is a given, but has become increasingly more important in recent years. The more work you do for the teachers, the more likely they are going to be able to justify taking students on a field trip. Listed at the end of the article are links to the Illinois Social Studies Standards, but don’t be afraid to also look at science, math, English, and art standards! If you’re making a STEM or STEAM field trip, include as many standards as you can.

4. Go to Teacher Events

Tired of all your emails to schools going ignored or sent to spam? Try meeting the educators in person! Most school districts have a “Welcome to our School” event for new teachers. These are great events for you to get to know some of the new and returning teachers. You may also run into the school principals, who can be just as helpful because they may be the ones who are going to make the decision if the school can afford to send classes to your museum. Talking to teachers is important, but the higher up you go, the better your chances are!

5. Think Outside the 3rd Grade Experience

Finally, don’t forget that field trips are not just for 3rd and 4th graders! Every school grade can benefit from a visit to/from a museum. Get creative in what programs you want to offer. Does your local high school have a civic course? Is there a creative writing class that always needs space to perform? Are the local daycares looking for short day trips? Children both young and old deserve a day outside the classroom, so don’t be afraid to look beyond what has been done before. Do you have any other pieces of advice you’d like to share with others? Comment about your field trip experiences below!

Links to Illinois Social Studies Standard Resources:

● https://www.isbe.net/Documents/IL-Social-Science-Standards.pdf

● https://www.illinoiscivics.org/standards/

● https://www.isbe.net/Documents/K-12-SS-Standards.pdf

By: Emily Dattilo, Director of the Mount Prospect Historical Society

I work with some incredibly talented and dedicated board members at the Mount Prospect Historical Society (MPHS). They consider themselves to be a “working board,” which means everyone understands that they have a part to play in keeping MPHS running. Here are five ways to engage your museum board based on my experiences:

1.      Find each board member’s strengths.

Each board member brings their own unique talents and interests to your museum. Once you know what their strengths are, you can find projects that your board members will be invested in. For instance, one of the most successful examples of this strategy at MPHS is in our Living History Committee. This group of both board members and other volunteers tackle creating and facilitating our educational programs for all ages. Most of the participants are retired educators, so they already have decades of experience. Their commitment to the task shines through in the quality of the programming and the enthusiastic response from the community. 

2.      Don’t be afraid to ask for the board’s help directly.

The board is there because they want to help the museum, but board members may not always know where their help is needed. Asking board members to help with specific tasks gives them a clear way to support the museum’s activities. Our biggest fundraiser of the year, the annual Holiday Housewalk, is a great example of how MPHS board members answer the call for volunteers each year. Each person on the board participates in this event, from the planning process to handling ticket sales at the event to giving tours of the houses.   

3.      Meet board members where they are in life and manage your expectations accordingly.

It’s important to remember that every board member has a life outside of being a board member and that can affect the amount of time and the ways that they’re available to help out. A stay-at-home parent, for instance, may be more available during the school year than during the summer, while an active retiree might set aside a few hours a week for museum projects all year round.

4.      Be willing to train board members when necessary.

Just like any volunteer, board members may need training for whatever project they’re about to undertake. When a board member becomes a Dietrich Friedrichs House tour guide, for example, I schedule a time to meet and to go over the interpretation notes, as well as to see other volunteer tour guides in action. I want to make sure they have everything they need to feel comfortable and prepared for the role.

5.      Show your appreciation!

Don’t forget to show your board members that you appreciate their contributions to the museum! At the end of the day, they’re volunteers who are choosing to spend their free time supporting your museum. Even a short thank-you note makes a difference. Each summer we host a brunch inside our one-room Central School to thank all our volunteers, including the board members. Nothing says “thank you” quite like delicious food! 

The Dietrich Friedrichs House (left) and Central School (right) at the Mount Prospect Historical Society

 By: Anne Jordan, Manager of the Little White School Museum, Oswego, IL

Happy Women’s History Month! To celebrate the wonderful women who helped establish Illinois (and the country as a whole), why not spend some time visiting a few women-centered history museums? Listed below are some of the museums in Illinois that are specifically dedicated to women. That’s not to say these are the only museums that talk about women, but these are the ones that stand out because women are the main characters.

Jane Addams Hull-House Museum

Starting out in Chicago is one of the best-known female-center museums. Their “About Us” page really does say it all, stating the “Jane Addams Hull-House Museum serves as a dynamic memorial to social reformer Jane Addams, the first American woman to receive the Nobel Peace Prize, and her colleagues whose work changed the lives of their immigrant neighbors as well as national and international public policy. The Museum preserves and develops the original Hull-House site for the interpretation and continuation of the historic settlement house vision, linking research, education, and social engagement”. It is a definite must-see if you are looking to celebrate women and their histories.

Edith Farnsworth House

Located in Plano, the Edith Farnsworth house is a stunning glass home, built by renowned architect Miles van der Rohe and completed in 1951. What’s even more remarkable is that in 2021, during the home’s 70th anniversary, the museum changed its name from the Farnsworth House to the Edith Farnsworth House. Dr. Edith Farnsworth was a prolific doctor during World War II, as well as the original owner of the house, so it was only fitting that the name addresses her properly.

The Holt and Stewart Houses

Heading out to Monmouth, there are not 1 but 2 historic houses that are very important to women’s history. In 1867, “Major” Jacob Holt’s home was used by a group of females from Monmouth College as the meeting house for their secret society, I.C. Sorosis, which later became the international women’s fraternity, Pi Beta Phi. Similarly, Mary “Minnie” Stewart’s house, is the site of the Kappa Kappa Gamma’s founding in 1870. Both sites are open for tours and tell the incredible stories of the women who wanted to have the same collegiate opportunities as their male counterparts.

Martin Mitchell Mansion (Pine Craig)

If you go to Naperville, be sure to check out this amazing home, which is part of Naper Settlement. Built in 1883 by George Martin, this historic house defies the norm and focuses its narrative on the women of the Martin family. Caroline Martin Mitchell, the last surviving heir, is the main character of these tours, though her sisters also discussed in length. Another wonderful note about this location is the detail and respect both the home and tours give to another Martin daughter, Elizabeth, who was born with dwarfism.

The Dana-Thomas House

Down in Springfield, there is another museum that chooses to address both the architect of the building as well as the female owner. The Dana-Thomas House (designed by Frank Lloyd Wright in 1902) allows visitors to learn more about Susan Lawrence Dana, a “forward thinking socialite”, who involved herself in many causes, from equal rights to women, to finding the spiritual truths of the world. This 12,000 square-foot house also features 450 art glass windows, doors and light fixtures designed by Wright himself. You don’t want to miss this tour next time you’re in the state capital. 

Schmidt-Burnham Log House

Back in Winnetka, stands the oldest log structure in Cook County! The Schmidt-Burnham Log House was built around 1837 and “discovered” by Chicago artist Anita Willets-Burnham in 1914 while on a painting trip. The museum now displays many of Anita’s paintings and possessions she acquired over the years. A beautiful little museum surrounded by nature sounds like a perfect spot to visit this March!

The Schweiker House

Over in the suburbs of Schaumburg, lies the Schweiker House, which was completed in 1938. While the story of the first owner and architect is interesting on its own, it’s the second owners that are of interest to this article. Martyl Langsdorf, the designer of the Doomsday Clock, and her husband purchased the home in 1953 after she fell in love with the studio. Today the museum masterfully tells the story of both inhabitants, but does pay special attention to Martyl and some of her most beautiful paintings.

The Glessner House

In the heart of Chicago stands this magnificent museum that pays its respect to the Glessner family who lived at the estate for 50 years. This location is special because there are 2 women of note who called this place home at one point or another. Frances Macbeth Glessner was heavily involved in many philanthropic organizations around the city, including being a founding member of the first chapter of the D.A.R.. Frances Macbeth's daughter, Frances Glessner Lee, earned her own notoriety when she created her “Nutshell Studies of Unexplained Death” miniature crimes scenes and improved the field of Forensic Sciences. 

Are there any we missed? Let us know in the comments below!

Note: The Center for Women’s History and Leadership as well as the Francis Willard House Museum are not included in this list as they are in the middle of a transition where the CWHL is no longer in control of the Willard House. Both locations are in the process of recentering their missions and business hours.

By: Anne Jordan, Manager of the Little White School Museum, Oswego, IL

Photo Courtesy of Illinois State Agricultural Society, 1861 - Transactions of the Illinois State Agricultural Society, with Reports from County and District Agricultural Societies, Volume 4

How much do you know about the history of museums in Illinois? Did you know we don’t have a definite “first” museum? A few locations claim the title, but it's actually quite difficult to determine which came first. Featured below is a brief overview of the 3 best candidates for the coveted title of “Illinois’ First Museum”.

The first open is Illinois’ first society-turned-museum. The Chicago Historical Society, today known as the Chicago History Museum is “the oldest cultural institution in Chicago and one of the oldest in the state of Illinois”^[i]. It was founded on April 24th, 1856 and received its charter from the State in 1857. Its objectives from the very beginning were “To encourage historical inquiry, and spread historical information, especially within the State of Illinois, and also within the entire territory of the Northwest—to embrace, alike, their aboriginal and modern history."^[ii] The charter also calls for “the establishment of a library of books and publications, appropriate to such an institution, with convenient works of reference, and also a cabinet of antiquities, relics, etc.”^[iii], creating not only a traditional historical society, but the beginnings of an incredibly robust collection and awe-inspiring museum.

In 1868, the Chicago Historical Society opened its first, private building, located at the corner of Dearborn and Ontario Streets. However, thanks to the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 (and subsequent fires) most of the society’s original archives were destroyed. CHS, though, took these setbacks in stride. The loss of their buildings and collections gave them time to reflect on their original charter and look outward to what other institutions in the area were doing to stay relevant. This break led the society to finally opening its doors to the public in 1906^[iv], and they haven’t turned back since. In 1932, CHS’s final location in Lincoln Park opened^[v], and has remained in operation (albeit with a new name) since.

While the Chicago History Museum offers a lot of evidence to suggest it is Illinois’ first museum, our second contestant makes the bold claim of being the first private scientific museum in Chicago as well as the first public museum in the city as well as the state.

The Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, originally referred to as the Chicago Academy of Sciences was founded by “nature aficionados and amateur scientists seeking a space where they could study and share the specimens they collected”^[vi] in 1857. Dedicated to preserving and studying the natural world around them, the Academy opened its first museum in 1865, originally just intended for active members^[vii]. However, with the collections continuing to grow (at one point becoming the fourth largest natural history collection in the country^[viii]), a new museum opened in 1869. Due to the growing interest outside of the academy, it was this second location on Wabash Avenue that decided to open its doors and become the state’s first public museum. 

Unfortunately, just like the Chicago Historical Society, the Academy of Sciences also lost a large portion of its original collections in the Great Fire of 1871. But just like CHS, the Academies also decided to persevere and build another museum. On October 10, 1893, the cornerstone of the building in Lincoln Park was laid^[ix]. For the next 100 years, the museum grew until it was finally time to move once again. In 1999, the new building opened, this time with a new name. “In recognition of the significant donation given to the Academy by Dick and Peggy Notebaert, the building was named the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum”^[x]. Today, the museum continues its mission to provide opportunities for people of all ages to interact with science and nature all around them.

Our final “first” museum takes us out of Chicago, all the way to Bloomington-Normal, Illinois. This short-lived museum is important because it reminds us that Chicago was not the only city in Illinois with histories worthy of remembering.

The Museum of the Illinois State Natural History Society (later known as the Illinois Museum of Natural History) was founded in 1858, after an Illinois State Teachers’ Association meeting (held in 1857)^[xi] thought the state needed more studies on the land and animals around them. Thus, the Illinois State Natural History Society “was formed as an agency for the natural history survey of the State in the old sense of an accumulation of museum specimens and a descriptive records of its zoology, botany and paleontology–meteorology and physical geography being nominally included”^[xii]. The original museum was housed on the third floor of the Old Main building of Illinois Normal School, today known as Illinois State University. However, by 1877, it was decided that the collections would be better suited in the newly founded Illinois State Museum^[xiii]. With that, central Illinois’ first museum was no more.

By the 1900s, Illinois was well underway to being a state full of museums. In fact, in 2017, the Illinois Association of Museums estimated “over 1,300 institutions preserving history and memories of the state [with] the overwhelming majority historical societies and museums"^[xiv]. While COVID-19 most certainly irrevocably affected these institutions, Illinois is still a state dedicated to preserving the culture and history of its people from thousands of years ago until today.

^[i] Lewis, Catherine M. 2005. The Changing Face of Public History: The Chicago Historical Society and the Transformation of the American Museum. 11. 

^[ii] 1857. Chicago Historical Society Charter.

^[iii] ibid.

^[iv] Lewis, Catherine M. 2005. The Changing Face of Public History: The Chicago Historical Society and the Transformation of the American Museum. 12.

^[v] https://www.chicagohistory.org/about-us/museum-history/

^[vi] https://naturemuseum.org/explore/history/

^[vii] https://naturemuseum.org/explore/exhibits/heritage-of-the-chicago-academy-of-sciences/

^[viii] https://naturemuseum.org/explore/history/

^[ix] ibid.

^[x] ibid.

^[xi] Forbes. S.A. 1907. “History of the Former State Natural History Societies of Illinois” Science. 892.

^[xii] ibid.

^[xiii] https://www.illinoisstatemuseum.org/ism-system-content/illinois-state-museum-history.html

^[xiv] Fowler, Laura Milsk. 2018. “Museums 2.0: Lessons for Illinois Museums for the next 200 Years”. Journal of the Illinois State Historical Society. 137.

A Bicentennial Crossroads:

200 Years of Continuity and Change in Rural Illinois 

Book Summary

By: Matt Meacham   

     “They and others like them demonstrate remarkable dedication to the ongoing cultural vitality of their communities, and they act upon that dedication with equally remarkable ingenuity, industriousness, and perseverance,” reads the penultimate sentence of A Bicentennial Crossroads: 200 Years of Continuity and Change in Rural Illinois, published in November 2023 by the Illinois Open Publishing Network.

     Who are “they,” you ask? “They” are the six small-town cultural institutions in Illinois—including three museums in addition to two libraries and one visitors’ center—that hosted Crossroads: Change in Rural America, a Museum on Main Street exhibition from the Smithsonian Institution and Illinois Humanities, in 2018-19.

     As program manager for statewide engagement with Illinois Humanities, I have the privilege of managing our participation in Museum on Main Street in cooperation with the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service.

     The program not only enables Illinoisans to experience Smithsonian-produced exhibitions in their own proverbial backyards but also gives the local organizations that host those exhibitions opportunities to enhance their roles within their communities and regions, attract new audiences and volunteers, expand their knowledge and resource bases, and develop skills that can be applied toward future exhibitions and programs.

     Our tour of Crossroads: Change in Rural America coincided with the Bicentennial of Illinois statehood. The intersection of those two events gave us an opportunity to contemplate and celebrate the significance of rural life over the 200-year history of Illinois as a state and to discuss its continuing evolution and possibilities for its future.

     The institutions that hosted Crossroads—Chester Public Library (Randolph County), the Old School Museum in Winchester (Scott County), the Lake Shelbyville Visitors Center (Shelby County), the Atlanta Museum (Logan County), Marshall Public Library (Clark County), and the DeKalb County History Center in Sycamore—produced companion exhibitions and public programs that compellingly addressed many of the most significant themes in the life of rural Illinois, past and present.

Crossroads: Change in Rural America, with Components of the DeKalb County History Center’s companion exhibition interspersed. (Photo courtesy of the DeKalb County History Center.)

     Collectively, those exhibitions and programs formed a remarkable survey of continuity and change over two hundred years of rural Illinois’s existence. Additionally, the ways in which the host organizations conducted their work reflected and responded to ongoing change in rural Illinois, contributing to their communities’ and regions’ efforts to sustain and enhance their cultural vitality.

     For those reasons, it seemed to me that what the Crossroads hosts produced and how they produced it deserved to be documented in some form. That form eventually turned out to be A Bicentennial Crossroads: 200 Years of Continuity and Change in Rural Illinois, a book-length, photo-illustrated essay available online, free of charge.

     A Bicentennial Crossroads begins with an introduction that discusses various interpretations of the word “rural” and their implications for the Illinois tour of Crossroads: Change in Rural America, as well as the content of the Crossroads exhibition, which encompasses six thematic sections: “Introduction,” “Identity,” “Land,” “Community,” “Persistence,” and “Managing Change.”

     A Bicentennial Crossroads is organized into two main sections (following the introduction): “Reflections on Content” and “The Exhibition in Context.”

     “Reflections on Content” synthesizes and contextualizes much of the knowledge presented by the host organizations’ companion exhibitions and public programs. It consists of the following chapters:

1.     “Beginning ‘Where Illinois Began’” – The tour commenced in Chester, the town nearest Illinois’s first state capital, Kaskaskia, and the hometown of one of the two curators of Crossroads, eminent agricultural historian and museum professional Debra Reid.

2.     “Rivers Run Throughout” – Companion exhibitions and programs presented by Chester Public Library and the Lake Shelbyville Visitors Center highlighted the environmental, economic, and social significances of the Mississippi and Kaskaskia rivers.

3.     “Fertile Ground for Agricultural Change, Part 1” – Major innovations originating in Shelby and DeKalb counties, involving products ranging from hay balers to barbed wire to seed corn, substantially influenced the evolution of agriculture not only locally but nationally and even globally.

4.     “Fertile Ground for Agricultural Change, Part 2” – The experiences of two multigenerational farming families in Clark County, documented and presented by Marshall Public Library, illustrate long-term agricultural trends in the lower Midwest.

5.     “Fertile Ground for Agricultural Change, Part 3” – The Old School Museum examined how the introduction of gasoline-powered tractors influenced farming in Scott County; the Atlanta Museum fostered the creation of a mural illustrating the importance of agriculture to local identity; and Chester Public Library discussed wheat production and flour milling from the French Colonial period to the present.

6.     “Generating Energy (and Occasionally Controversy)” – The Lake Shelbyville Visitors Center’s programs and companion exhibition illustrated the multifaceted significances of coal mining and rural electrification in Shelby County; the Old School Museum explored the Illinois Rural Electric Cooperative’s history of innovation; and the DeKalb County History Center facilitated discussion of current local issues involving wind and solar energy.

7.     “Moving Materials, Goods, People, and Money” – The Shelbyville Industrial Rail Spur has benefitted Shelby County’s manufacturing sector; the Old School Museum examined how the dawn of the automotive era affected Winchester and surrounding communities; and the Atlanta Museum’s mural underscores the economic and cultural significance of Route 66.

8.     “A New Model for Rural Medicine” – Two innovative medical clinics established in Clark County in the 1970s, profiled in Marshall Public Library’s companion exhibition, have influenced health care provision in rural settings throughout the United States and beyond.

9.     “Ethnicity, Immigration, Discrimination, and Social Dynamics” – The DeKalb County History Center’s companion exhibition discussed local histories and current trends involving the Potawatomi Nation, Swedish immigrants, African Americans, and Latinx migrants and residents; Chester Public Library noted that French Colonial agriculture involved slavery; and the Lake Shelbyville Visitors Center hosted a presentation by the authors of Sundown Town, a novel describing the racial and labor-management tensions surrounding the Pana Riot of 1899.

10.  “Classrooms, Community, and Change” – The Atlanta Museum produced a companion exhibition based on extensive original research about the complex social impact of school consolidation in northeastern Logan County.

11.  “Gathering Around Sports, Entertainment, and Arts, Then and Now” – A program presented by the Atlanta Museum addressed the role of sports in community life; the Lake Shelbyville Visitors Center’s companion exhibition discussed efforts to preserve the Shelbyville Chautauqua building; the DeKalb County History Center conducted a rural-themed photography contest and examined the cultural importance of community festivals; and several host organizations hosted musical events with commentary.

     “The Exhibition in Context” describes how the host institutions’ contributions to their communities and regions, including their presentation of Crossroads and associated exhibitions and programs, relate to the ongoing evolution of rural Illinois. It includes these chapters:

12.  “Contributing to a Renaissance in Winchester” – The opening and ongoing development of the Old School Museum have bolstered a social and economic revitalization trend in Winchester.

13.  “Connecting Old and New in Marshall” – Marshall Public Library’s hosting of Crossroads coincided with the reopening of its building following a major renovation, as well as the ongoing expansion of its local oral history program, enhancing its status as a multifaceted cultural and technological hub.

14.  “Making Bold Strides Together in DeKalb County” – In conjunction with preparations for Crossroads, the DeKalb County History Center opened its new, state-of-the-art facility; developed a countywide network of mutually supportive museums and historical societies; and curated a comprehensive companion exhibition in partnership with many of those organizations.

15.  “Communitywide Cooperation in Shelby County, Chester, and Atlanta” – Crossroads-related activities at the Lake Shelbyville Visitors Center, Chester Public Library, and Atlanta Museum reflected thoughtful collaboration among many local individuals and institutions.

16.  “Conclusion: Blessings, Curses, or Both?” – If the people who signed our state’s first Constitution were to review developments that have occurred since their own era, as described in A Bicentennial Crossroads, how might they evaluate rural Illinois’s evolution? How might present-day rural Illinoisans respond?

     The last sentence of A Bicentennial Crossroads states, “If current and future generations of rural Illinoisans learn from [the Crossroads host organizations’] examples and apply what they learn, then perhaps there is at least a chance that the social fabric of our state will remain intact or even grow sturdier amid whatever changes the next two centuries bring.”

     Both the Illinois Association of Museums and Illinois Humanities are eager to help make it so. More information about Museum on Main Street is available here.

In recent years, there has been a contentious discussion surrounding small historic house museums in the United States. In the Boston Globe article, "The Great Historic House Museum Debate," Ruth Graham delves into the issues.

WHAT IS AT STAKE

Preservationists have raised concerns that there are simply too many house museums, and some should consider closing. The National Trust for Historic Preservation estimates that there are more than 15,000 across the country.  

These museums are typically located in former private homes, and are run by local historical societies and volunteers, offering guided tours of antique furniture and local history exhibits. While larger museums enjoy increased attendance and funding, such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art, which welcomes over six million visitors per year, many smaller house museums are struggling to survive. 

SUSTAINABILITY

The debate has intensified in recent years, with high-profile preservationists publishing articles questioning the sustainability of house museums and organizing conferences on the topic. Stephanie Meeks, the president of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, criticized the traditional house museum model as financially unsustainable and overused. She called for new preservation strategies.

PROTECTING THE HOUSE

However, defenders of house museums argue that they play a crucial role in preserving cultural heritage. They stress that each house museum is unique, offering intimate insights into local history, family life, and overlooked narratives. Despite the challenges they face, these museums continue to contribute to the nation's cultural tapestry.

UNIQUE CHALLENGES

House museums' struggles arise from various factors, including competition from other museums, online distractions, and reduced emphasis on history in public education. Traditional house museums often rely on small budgets, volunteers, and minimal endowments, making their financial sustainability a significant concern.

Critics argue that when house museums receive only a few visitors, they may not be serving their communities effectively. They suggest converting these historic properties into bustling community centers as an alternative.  House museum supporters highlight the value of these institutions in preserving intimate domestic stories and local culture, noting that many house museums serve remote communities lacking major art museums.

NEW MODELS

Various models for stabilizing or repurposing house museums have emerged. Creative programming, community engagement, and partnerships with other organizations have helped some museums thrive. 

Alternative solutions such as merging with other organizations, leasing properties to for-profit entities, or selling outright have been proposed as ways to ensure the preservation of historic buildings while moving away from the traditional house museum model.

PEERING INTO THE FUTURE

While the future of small historic house museums remains uncertain, it's clear that not all will survive in their current forms. The debate continues, addressing issues of cultural heritage, public history, and community engagement. Some believe that turning these museums into vibrant community spaces may offer a promising way forward, even as they acknowledge the sense of loss that would come with such a transition.

In any case, house museums will not be vanishing any time soon!