Not a Keyhole, but a Doorway: A Dialogue on Inclusivity and Interpreting to Every Person
Virtual Southeast Region ALHFAM Conference
- February 26-28 2021 -
Registration ends February 24 at 11:59pm Central
Conference Schedule
Hosted by the Frontier Culture Museum of Virginia, Staunton, Virginia
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 26
10:00 a.m.- 1:00 p.m.
Making Oatcakes: A (Virtual) Foodways Workshop
Presented by Karen Becker, Frontier Culture Museum of Virginia
LIST OF INGREDIENTS AND EQUIPMENT NEEDED TO BAKE ALONG
An in-person visit to the Frontier Culture Museum of Virginia allows for an easy and immediate comparison of the main cultures that contributed to the settlement of the Virginia backcountry: individual farms recreate the lives of folks in West Africa, England and Northern Ireland, the Rhineland-Palatinate, and the indigenous peoples that lived in the area, along with their sounds, sites, and smells. Demonstrations of foodways are an important aspect of programming, so we are stepping out of the box and presenting a hands-on workshop virtually! With an important difference however: you’ll be cooking at home learning to make oatcakes in your own kitchen. When you register for this workshop, you’ll receive a list of ingredients and equipment to have on hand (nothing fancy or expensive). You’ll be prompted with a video filmed in the Scotch-Irish farmhouse using traditional tools and a hearth fire. Because this is a first attempt for us, we opted for something fairly simple, and we hope you’ll be excited to join in. We are learning along with you!
2:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m.
Brewing in 17th Century England
Presented by Alex Tillen, Frontier Culture Museum of Virginia
How do you create a brewing program in a living history setting? Frontier Culture Museum Senior Interpreter Alex Tillen will guide you step-by-step through the process of making small beer as an interpretive activity. It’s always a good day at the museum when the last batch is ready!
3:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m.
The Millennial View of Interpretation
Facilitated by Sam McGinty, Frontier Culture Museum of Virginia
This will be a fun one and is open to all Xers and Boomers! A select panel of young interpreters will share their joys and frustrations of working in the living history environment alongside us old-timers. Sam is not afraid to go there!
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 27
10:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m.
Keynote Address: “Landscapes of Enslavement in West Africa”
Dr. Louis P. Nelson, Vice Provost for Academic Outreach, University of Virginia
12:00 p.m.-1:00 p.m.
Business Meeting
2:00 p.m.-3:15 p.m.
Interpreting Hard History
Presented by Misti Furr, Frontier Culture Museum of Virginia
History often isn’t easy. Many subjects we interpret can evoke strong emotions from our guests as well as ourselves. These histories can and do challenge our beliefs about our world, our societies, and our past. So why do we NEED to teach these hard histories? Misti will bring her 21 years of interpreting hard history in all corners of the Historic Triangle and the Frontier Culture Museum to bear as she shares best practices and strategies for introducing hard history at your sites.
4:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m.
Folk Music Across the Pond
Presented by Zac Bell, Frontier Culture Museum of Virginia
Since we can’t dance this year, the Frontier Culture Museum’s very own Zac Bell will fill the musical void with an educational and entertaining look and listen at the European and West African folk music that blended together to form that distinct 19th-century sound.
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 28
10:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m.
Virtual Content in a Virtual World
Presented by Rachel Sites and Mark Mazzichi, Frontier Culture Museum of Virginia
Due to current events, the world of virtual museum content has rapidly expanded. Virtual content is a new frontier, one that faces challenges not commonly found in traditional museum education. However, it does provide outlets for creative and nontraditional content that supports and expands the museum’s mission and outreach. This session will discuss the opportunities provided by virtual programming, as well as the necessary equipment and potential downfalls. By the way, Rachel and Mark are behind the camera for much of this virtual conference.
12:00 p.m.- 1:00 p.m.
BYOB (Bring your Own Barbecue)
We all know by now that eating during a Zoom meeting is a huge breach of virtual etiquette, but you can’t end a South East Region ALHFAM conference without the barbecue! Bring your own barbecue to your own table and enjoy this time to chat and network with old and new friends.
