From: Linda Day <LindaDay@historicalsocietiesNH.org>
Subject:    AHSNH/Listserv Vol 2, # 17-A
Date:    Oct 9, 2006 9:41 PM
Contents:
  1. What's Your Take on it?
  2. Lake Winnipesaukee, Leading by Example
  3. Salisbury Visitor Suggests Contact-File
  4. Grantham H/S Inquires About Tax Support
  5. Piscataqua Region Museum Council?
  6. Health Insurance Inquiry
  7. A Bountiful History Question
  8. Summer June Jaunt to Portsmouth
  9. from the Arts Alliance of Northern NH & NH Preservation Alliance:  FREE Workshop re Bldg Preservation
  10. Group Forum: Marketing Arts & Culture in the North Country & Beyond
1)   What's Your Take on it?
When the Association of Historical Societies of NH began fifty years ago, 40 or 50 people would come to the meetings.  When I began with the Association four years ago, there were still 20 or so coming.  These last two years, I blush to say, we've had but 4 or 5.
    
We have wondered if member organizations have thought perhaps the Association meetings were just for the officers of member organizations--(not so:  All members of all member organizations are welcome.)  In what is repeatedly a surprise to us, even when the Association is meeting at their own society, people do not come; that is, members of the host societies.
    
At one meeting a member pointed out they had visited each other's societies a number of times in the past 50 years, so could we add education to the meetings?  Thus we did, whereupon attendance dropped from (15-20) to (4-5).  Ann Sprague of Lake Winni H/S offered to do some advertising for us, which doubled our attendance.   Even so, nine in attendance for a statewide organization with over a hundred member organizations, seems weak.
    
So, here's the conversation for which I invite your participation:
Thinking back over the past four years, what could we have done differently that would have induced you (for example) to have come to one of the Association's meetings?  Do you recommend we make some particular changes, or do you think, why not accept what you are good at (namely, the Directory, the newsletters, the website) and let go of the meetings?
    
This, in fact, will be a topic of conversation at our annual mtg--Sat, Oct 28, 9:45 am, at the Salisbury H/S--to which you all are invited--so do come, whether to express an opinion or just to watch an organization, founded and grounded on the joy of communication, wrestle with its self-concept.
    
Or you could write to us all via this network.  Membership in the Association is not a requirement for receiving this newsletter, but if you have insight, member or not, I would like to hear it.
2)   Lake Winnipesaukee, Leading by Example: 
(Ed. Note:  In the e-ssociate, volume 2, #13, item 5, I wrote, "I see that the Lake Winnipesaukee H/S is hosting--has hosted--a few events in cooperation with other museums.  The idea is exciting as a way to spread our influence and prolong the benefits of our exhibitions.  Ms. Sprague, any pointers for the rest of us, on how to make this happen?"  Ms. Sprague responds:)
Hi Linda - Thanks for the compliment!  The short answer is:  I just asked!
    
I feel strongly that collaboration and packaging is a key to success in any environment.  I've been trying to network with colleagues to build relationships. 
    
Earlier this spring, I sent an email/letter to area (Lakes Region) historical societies and museums and offered to share in opportunities and exposure for their organizations/museums - either by speaking at one of our "Winnipesaukee Wednesdays" and/or having a display at our museum, with the idea that our museum could be cross-promoted at theirs. 
    
I would love to host a "Heritage Day" at our site next year - It's just an idea at this point, a project to work on over the winter perhaps.....the idea of coordinating various historical societies and other cultural organizations, having booths on our site, demonstrations, sales, entertainment.... a lot of work it would be, but isn't it a great idea?Let me know if you have any thoughts about this new idea!
3)   Salisbury Visitor Suggests Contact-File
Yesterday we had a visitor in our Archives from Raleigh, NC.  She was working on her family's genealogy.  She had a suggestion that probably everyone else is already following but in case, I thought I would mention it.  The woman told me that in her pursuits she has found that many societies have small card files containing the name of the family being researched and the contact person.  She says researchers are happy to share their findings with others if they know who they are.  I now have started the Salisbury file and will have it available in the Museum over the summer in case we can help others doing research.     ~Mary Phillips, Salisbury
4)   Grantham H/S Inquires About Tax Support
The Executive Committee has asked me to get in touch with you with a question. We just found out that the Town of Grantham, who has promised us a building and financial support for it now is saying that we are not a part of the town and they will only provide "part of a building" (whatever that means) and will "contribute" towards costs. 
    
The Committee wonders whether you have information about how many NH historical societies are considered to be part of the town government (totally supported with town funds), how many are completely independent and receive no town funds and how many are a combination.   If you don't have this data, would it be possible to put the question out to the Societies?
    
Thanks very much.   ~Pat Andrews
5)  Does anyone have any information about a Piscataqua Region Museum Council?
6)   Health Insurance Inquiry:
Are people willing to share their experiences with health insurance for historical societies and museums?  What coverage do you have, how expensive is it, how many hours must participants work to qualify, AND whether they would be interested in adding their names, along with museum folk, to try to create a large enough group to get REAL discounts?
~Linda Marsella; Mariposa Museum of World Cultures; Peterborough
    
(Ed. Note:  Another question may be whether the policy covers volunteers or only paid staff.  This reminds me of the interest earlier this year in comparing notes on liability insurance, which never came to aught, as I recall.  We have two possible agents now--the agency recommended by the NH Center for Non-Profits and a gentleman who contacted us from Maine, who developed an interest in working with museums some years ago.  I will forward this issue of the listserv to both.  If there is anyone reading who would like to follow up on our behalf, let me know.)
7)    A Bountiful History Question
Hi Linda,
     
We met Monday morning at the Hannah Dustin statue.  You mentioned that you could contact others in your historical group about old NH laws.  The one I had a question about was one I heard before (I believe from high school).  It is concerning the killing of (2) Indians and (1) Frenchman (or vice versa).  Once this act was verified the perpetrator would be awarded 1/4 acre of land.
     
Does anyone that you are familiar with have knowledge of this bounty?  What was it's origin, etc.  Or did I just dream this?
     
Thanks for your help with this query.
    
~Richard Brown, (formerly from Franklin); Besse Rowell School; FJHS; T-NHS (or WRHS if you prefer)   RMBROWN813@aol.com
8)    Summer June Jaunt to Portsmouth
Submitted by Frederick Foley

Even though it was a rain-soaked Saturday morning and a Farmers' Market was in full swing upon Portsmouth City Hall’s upper parking lot, AHSNH’s Summer June Jaunt to Portsmouth was successful.  The cheerful umbrella-covered Jaunters met Sandra Rux, our official guide and the historic homes’ House Manager, at city hall’s lower parking lot.  Nine eager individuals were present for the June 24 Jaunt: Ruth Greenaway and friend Dina Greene (Nashua Historical Society), Mike and Marie Stanley (Hill Historical Society), Ron and Sandy Prior and Jim and Anne Martin (Wakefield-Brookfield Historical Society), and Frederick Foley (Friends of the Gov. Wentworth State Historic Site, Wolfeboro).

The Jaunters began their exploration of four highly exceptional eighteenth-century-dwellings by visiting the c.1758-built John Paul Jones House with Sandra Rux; then, under the direction of tour guide Julie Lucca, they visited the c.1718-built MacPheadris-Warner House.  After a satisfying lunch at Dunaway Restaurant, the Jaunters visited Strawbery Banke Museum for a prearranged tour of its new visitor facility (Tyco Visitors Center).  The museum’s president, Lawrence Yerdon, greeted them, and, afterward, guided the enthusiastic Jaunters through the Banke’s newest offering.  Following the tour, Ruth and Dina bid the Jaunters a fond farewell.  After a leisurely walk to Mechanic Street and under the direction of tour guide Shannon Lefebvre, the seven-remaining Jaunters explored the Wentworth-Gardner and Tobias Lear Houses Associations’ C18 warehouse (now used as a visitor center), the c.1760-built Wentworth-Gardner House, and, finally, the c.1740-built Tobias Lear House.

Throughout the day, Anne and Sandy nattered jovially about an incredibly delicious chocolate shop, thus, the Jaunters ended the day by visiting Byrne & Carlson’s to sample an array of sugary delights that temporarily reside within taste-bud-catching display cases.  Finally, after a successful day-long-tour of historic Portsmouth, it was time for the contented Jaunters to say their goodbyes, farewells, and Godspeeds to each other and to journey home with their treasure-trove of pleasant memories and tasty treats.
(Ed. Note:  I think Frederick may have found a niche!  Wasn't that fun to read?)
9)   from the Arts Alliance of Northern NH:
    a.  We hope you've had a great summer, and that you have found the Northern New Hampshire History and Heritage: A Map & Guide valuable both to you and your visitors.  Thank you again to all who contributed.
 
    b.  Preserving Community Landmarks:  Information and Resources for Saving & Maintaining Historic Bldgs
Free Workshops on Historic Building Preservation:
Wednesday, October 11, 1-5pm, at Rocks Estate, Route 302, Bethlehem--and--
Thursday, October 26, 1-5pm, Conway Public Library
    
Are you working to preserve an old building or historic landmark in your community?  All groups involved in
preservation efforts are invited to attend one of these workshops, presented by the NH Preservation Alliance in cooperation with the Arts Alliance's "Mountain Links" North Country Heritage program.  The workshops are designed for non-profit groups, municipal agencies, and other organizations that own an old building and need assistance in maintenance and restoration issues. 
    
The workshops will introduce the new Shared Field Service Program of the NH Preservation Alliance and the National Trust for Historic Preservation, and will include a representative from the NH Division of Historical
Resources, a state agency.  Participants will have an opportunity to share their stories of building preservation projects, receive on-the-spot advice, sign up for a one-on-one field service visit, and take home new information and handouts on the resources and programs of all three organizations as well as on the heritage networking being done by the Arts Alliance. 
    
The workshops will be led by Maggie Stier, NH's Shared Field Service representative, and Emily Paulus, Preservation Planner for the NH Division of Historical Resources.  Topics that will be addressed include
        How do we begin a building preservation project?
        a new initiative for long-term stewards;
        fundraising;
        feasibility assessments; and
        getting the word out about preservation projects.
The workshop sessions will also include a brief discussion of North Country heritage and preservation projects; participants are invited to bring information and materials to share.   At the end of each workshop, a group problem-solving session will address real North Country preservation projects.  Community groups are invited to pre-register to present their projects, with Paulus, Stier and the other participants providing mentoring advice. 
    
If your organization would like to be part of the problem-solving session, please contact the NH Preservation Alliance at 224-2281 or email ms@nhpreservation.org.
           
Refreshments will be served.  For more information or to reserve a space, contact the Arts Alliance of Northern NH at 323-7302, or email info@aannh.org.
10)  Group Forum: Marketing Arts & Culture in the North Country & Beyond
Tuesday, October 17, 1:30 to 3:30 p.m., Rocks Estate, Bethlehem
     
Join us for a roundtable discussion on cultural marketing, with guest Shelly Angers, Public Relations and Marketing Coordinator for the Northern Forest Center.
    
In an informal discussion format we'll talk about the challenges of marketing and the opportunities available to us through collaborative marketing approaches.  The meeting will be followed by a discussion of our work with member organizations and businesses on the Northern NH Visual Arts Map & Guide and the local launch of HandMade in the Northern Forest: A guide to fine art and craft traditions in ME, NH, VTand NY, showcasing the wide variety and high quality of the region's artists and craft providers at WREN in downtown Bethlehem.
    
Free and open to arts, culture and heritage organizations and artists, artisans and crafters.
--continued--keep your eyes open   ; )