The Digital Museum Live Webinar Series: Session Four
This session, Emerging Trends in Technology, will take place on May 13 from 2-3:30 p.m.

The cost for this session is $39 for members and $59 for non-members.

The Digital Museum: Transforming the Future Now is a series of four 90-minute Webinars based on AAM's latest publication, The Digital Museum: A Think Guide. Presented by leading practitioners in the field, this series is for anyone interested in how new technology is transforming museums, from conservation to the visitor experience.

Visit www.aam-us.org/webinar for more information and online registration.

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Please confim events specifics with sponsoring organization, especially if traveling any distance.

Stroll into Spring Progressive Dinner
This dinner tour of the Historic Old Northside of Indianapolis will take place on Fri., May 16, at staggered times beginning at 5:30 p.m.

Experience the charm of the Historic Old Northside neighborhood as you stroll to beautiful destinations to be served six delicious courses at the Morris-Butler House, the DeWolf-Allerdice Bed and Breakfast, the President Benjamin Harrison Home, the Indianapolis Propylaeum, and two private homes. Enjoy an evening of great food, wonderful company, and elegant surroundings.

Tickets are $70 per person, and reservations are required.

Please contact the Morris-Butler House staff at (317) 636-5409 or mbhouse@historiclandmarks.org for reservations.

The tour will begin at the Morris-Butler House, located at 1204 N. Park Ave. in Indianapolis.

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Glory Days of Steam
This film will be shown on Thu., May 15, from noon-1 p.m. in the Cole Porter Room of the Eugene and Marilyn Glick Indiana History Center

The film is free to the public.

This lyrical program takes you back to a time when boarding a steam train was the way to travel. Hear interviews with those who built and tamed the monsters that ruled the iron road.

For more information visit http://www.indianahistory.org/.

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Preserving the American Historical Record Bill
Congressmen Maurice Hinchey (D-NY) and Chris Cannon (R-UT) have  issued a "dear colleagues" letter to the members of the House of  Representatives, inviting them to sign on as original sponsors to the Preserving the American Historical Record (PAHR) bill.

PAHR proposed to increase federal support for state and local archival records held by government agencies, historical societies, libraries and related organizations. This initiative would establish a program of formula-based grants to states for re-grants and statewide services to support preservations and use of historical records. The program, to be administered by the National Archives, will provide a total of $50 million per year nationwide. Each state would receive a portion of these funds for redistribution to organizations within its borders. This program would be in addition to the existing national grants program within the National Historical Publications and Records Commission.

How can you help?
Contact your Representative in Congress and urge them to sign on as an original sponsor of PAHR. Write a few sentences telling him or her how PAHR would help his or her constituents – you! (Tell them how vital it is to have records preserved and available to the public.) Also, spread the word about this action alert!

Time is critical. Deadline for action is Saturday, May 10.

Faxing your Representative is the preferred method of communication. The Humanities Advocacy Network maintains a website with all of the contact information for legislators at http://www.humanitiesadvocacy.org/action_ctr.html.

Further information about PAHR, including the bill, background information and the amount of funding for each state can be found at: http://www.archivists.org/pahr/


Archeology Month
Has your organization or museum thought of hosting an event during Indiana Archaeology Month, September 2008? 

The Indiana Department of Natural Resources, Division of Historic Preservation and Archaeology (DHPA) is organizing the 13th annual statewide celebration of the science of archaeology. Archaeology is a great part of cultural tourism efforts in our state, and archaeology is happening often in Indiana.

Why not consider hosting an event that would combine archaeology and the heritage of your county, for instance?

To find out more about the benefits of hosting an Indiana Archaeology Month event, types of events, and more about the Month, contact Amy Johnson, Archaeology Outreach Coordinator, at (317) 232-6982 or ajohnson@dnr.IN.gov. 

The deadline will be fast approaching to get activities listed in the official Calendar of Events.

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Vote for Me: The Quest for the White House, 1788-2008
This exhibit is on display from now through June 29 at The Lincoln Museum in Fort Wayne.

Admission is free of charge.

The exhibit examines the electoral process as it has evolved over 220 years. It explores the nominating process, campaigns which focused on one or two major issues, as opposed to campaigns which were strictly driven by personality, and elections which took place during war.

The birth (Democrats and Republicans) and death (Mugwumps, Know Nothings and Loco Focos) of specific political parties is portrayed, and a section devoted to the backgrounds of the men who eventually triumphed is presented. The exhibit also focuses on several elections which changed the course of the nation.

The Lincoln Museum is located at the corner of Clinton and Berry streets in downtown Fort Wayne. The Museum is open Tue.-Sat., 10 a.m.-5 p.m., and Sun., 1-5 p.m.

For more information visit http://www.thelincolnmuseum.org/ or call (260) 455-3864.

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Archeological Dig in New Harmony
An archaeological dig is scheduled from May 13-June 13, and will take place outside Community House No. 2.

The dig is intended to help collect information and artifacts from Community House No.2 that can be discussed on Historic New Harmony’s tours and shown in exhibits.

Bill Wepler, Historical Archaeologist for the Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites, and Dr. Michael Strezewski, assistant professor of anthropology at the University of Southern Indiana (USI), will be the on-site directors. In addition, there will be about ten USI students and volunteers scheduled to work at the dig.

Historic New Harmony’s daily tours will include the dig. Students will provide on-site interpretation when a visitor is taken to Community House No. 2. There will also be an open house at the site, available to the public on Sat., June 7, from 9 a.m.-3 p.m.  

During the dig the archaeologists hope to learn more about how Community House No. 2 was used in the 19th century and to pinpoint exactly where the Harmonist barn was located. A historical map showing several structures on the property, including the community house, as well as the summer kitchen and the barn will guide their investigation. The dig will help obtain a better understanding of what goods and products were available to New Harmony residents during different time periods. Wepler, Strezewski, students and volunteers will also search for privies and wells where people used to deposit their trash.

For more information about the archeological dig or to arrange an interview, please contact either Bill Wepler at bwepler@dnr.in.gov or (317) 232-8178 or Dr. Michael Strezewski at mstrezewsk@usi.edu or (812) 464-1931.

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Carol Phillips selected as Newest Member of Vincennes Historic Review Board
Vincennes Mayor Al Baldwin has selected Carol Phillips as the newest member of the Vincennes Historic Review Board to fill the vacant seat created by the recent resignation of Janice Anderson.

Phillips is a retired Cultural and Natural Resource manager for the state of Louisiana and former Executive Director of the William Henry Harrison Mansion and Museum in Vincennes.

She currently conducts history-related tours for the American History Forum and the Civil War Education Association in Winchester, Va., along with having served as technical advisor of Emmy award-winning producer/director Rik Burns during the filming of the historical documentary entitled We Shall Remain.

Phillips’ community activities include volunteering for numerous local events such as serving on the Vincennes Mardi Gras Committee, the Knox County Fall Festival Committee, the Knox County Convention and Visitors Bureau Marketing Committee; a member of the Vincennes Rotary Club; a 2006 graduate of Leadership Knox County and a Knox County Reserve Deputy Sheriff.

In the field of education, Phillips holds a B.A. degree in history from Louisiana Tech University in Ruston, La.; has served an internship at the British Museum in London, England, and she was awarded an advance degree from the University of London, England in Cultural Antiquities.

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Director of Visitor Services at Cantigny Park in Wheaton, Ill.
The Director of Visitor Services develops, plans, coordinates and supervises the Visitor Services for Cantigny facilities and grounds, and oversees the security department and insures the protection and safety of all staff and visitors

Responsibilities:

• Oversees the Security and Visitor Services staff.  Directly supervises the performance   of the Security Manager, Education and Volunteer Coordinator, Visitor Center Manager and Special Activities Coordinator.
• Oversees the coordination of the Cantigny Conference Series.
• Develops, plans and manages department operating budget.
• In accordance with Cantigny policy prepares picnic grounds and scouting sites for use by outside groups and supervises use to insure safety and security of the estate and user.  Coordinates with registrar to insure the grounds and sites can accommodate the group.
• Develops recreational and educational programming for Cantigny visitors.
• Develops an outdoor concert series each year; this includes ensuring a proper sound system and stage availability; locating a wide variety of music to be performed for the public; coordinating with the musicians and agree within budgetary constraints the amount to be paid for each performance.
• Maintains inventory of equipment and supplies; contacts companies and sales personnel for competitive bids and re-orders necessary supplies and equipment within budgetary guidelines and within purchasing policy and procedure.
• Assists the External Affairs Department in the marketing of Visitors Services events.
• Reviews requests from outside organizations interested in using Cantigny facilities and makes recommendations to the Executive Director.
• Oversees the development of the Cantigny Educational program.   
• Oversees the Cantigny Volunteer program.
• Responsible for overseeing the trash removal and general cleanliness of the park.
• Responsible for the operation of the Visitor Tram Service.
• Supervises operation of the Visitors Center and Gift Shop.
• Oversees the professional development of all staff.
• Performs other duties as assigned, which includes functions directed by CEO, Senior Vice President of Operations or Executive Director.

Requirements

• Bachelors Degree in Communications, Public Administration or related field required, advanced degree desired.
• 3-5 years supervisory experience.
• Must become trained in First Aid, C.P.R. and Automated External Defibrillator. Must maintain valid certification.
• Must be available to work nights, weekends and holidays.
• Must be on-call when not on duty to respond to emergency situations.
• Must attend approved professional development courses annually.

To apply, please contact:
Matt LaFond, Executive Director, Cantigny Park
1 S. 151 Winfield Rd.
Wheaton, IL 60187
mlafond@cantigny.org
or (630) 260-8168

For more information on Cantigny visit http://www.cantigny.org/.

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Books Available

• Oral History at Arrowhead: Proceedings of the First National Colloquium on Oral History (The Oral History Association: Los Angeles, CA, 1967)
• In the Public Interest: Oral Histories of Hoosier Broadcasters, compiled and edited by Linda Weintraut and Jane R. Nolan (Indiana Historical Society: Indianapolis, IN, 1999)

These can be picked up at Indiana Historical Society Eugene and Marilyn Glick Indiana History Center or are small enough to be mailed.

To claim any of these items, send an e-mail to localhistoryservices@indianahistory.org. Items will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis.

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Note from the Editor:

Do you know someone who might want to receive Communique Online? Anyone may join the mailing list by e-mailing col@indianahistory.org.

If your historical organizations, genealogical society or museum has changed its address or phone number in the past six months, please send the updated information to Coordinator, Local History Services, at the above e-mail, or Eugene and Marilyn Glick Indiana History Center, 450 W. Ohio St., Indianapolis, IN 46202.