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This edition sponsored by Sarah Sutton and Sustainable Museums
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Online Sustainability & Climate Learning Community:
Planning and Operations in Zoos, Gardens, and Museum Campuses
Starts 1/2017
Is it important to your institution to strengthen performance in environmental sustainability and climate resilience? Then join national sustainability consultant and team leader Sarah Sutton, and a group of your experienced peers, to build and share expertise. You will discover new best practices, and hear about innovations in and changes coming to the field.
This learning community meets virtually, shares resources, and has access to findings-from-the field to advance sustainability and climate change work individually and collaboratively.
Read more.
Another green team for historic sites and small museums starts September 2017 with different format and pricing. Please send email to Sarah Sutton to learn more.
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VAM News
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Top 10 Endangered Artifacts
VAM has announced the honorees of the 2016 Top 10 Endangered Artifacts program. This year's program brought over 70,000 votes, and has resulted in great press coverage for our nominees and our honorees. Learn more at www.vatop10artifacts.org.
 YOUR FEEDBACK NEEDED
Please take a moment to complete VAM's HR survey. The survey should take you no more than 3 minutes to complete, and will help VAM prepare a grant application to provide human resources assistance and training to museums throughout Virginia.
2016 - 2017 Annual Workshop Series Announced
 Commemorative Collaborations
Tuesday, November 1, 2016
Virginia War Memorial
Richmond, VA
Certificate Credit: External Relations
 September Happy Hour a Success
Thanks to all who joined VAM and the Virginia Conservation Association (VCA) at Agecroft Hall last month!
Friends and colleagues from VAM and VCA enjoyed a night of mingling and camaraderie; we look forward to more opportunities to get together with our VCA friends.
 Online Course in Museum Studies, from JTCC and VAM:
Introduction to Historic Preservation (ART 195 N43B)
10/24/2016 - 11/15/2016
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Volunteer Opportunity
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VAM is looking for some volunteers to assist with the 2017 Silent Auction, to be held March 19 - 21st in Roanoke, in conjunction with our Annual Conference. Contact
Rebecca Guest
for more information, or to volunteer.
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Upcoming Deadlines
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October 14, 2016
December 1, 2016
IMLS Grant Opportunities:
Museums for America
National Leadership Grants for Museums
Museum Grants for African American History and Culture
Native American/Native Hawaiian Museum Services Program
December 1, 2016
January 11, 2017
June 8, 2017
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Member Kudos
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Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion, presented by the Birthplace of Country Music, achieved the Shining Example Award for Southeast Tourism Society's (STS) Top 20 Event/Festival of the Year.
"Shining Example Awards highlight some of the best work in travel and tourism, and winners truly set examples that others in the industry can follow," said STS President and CEO Bill Hardman.
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Paul and Lee Lawrence at Sunny Bank (courtesy of Douglas Lees) |
The Loudoun Preservation Society recently granted Mosby Heritage Area Association (MHAA) staff and board members two awards. First, MHAA staff received a grant of $1,250 for the printing of a new driving tour booklet of the Aldie, Middleburg, and Upperville Cavalry Battlefields, fought in Loudoun and Fauquier counties from June 17-21, 1863. Then, MHAA Board Member Lee Lawrence and her husband Paul were crowned Preservationists of the Year for their work in restoring multiple historic homes in Loudoun County and for Lee's editorial work on two local women's diaries from the Civil War.
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Conservation of the USS Monitor's revolving gun turret will be monitored by a new electrolytic reduction computer monitoring system. Photo courtesy of The Mariners' Museum.
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The Mariners' Museum was recently awarded an Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) Museums for America collections grant. "Museums play a vital role in their communities supporting experiences and inquiry for people of all ages, fostering civic engagement, and serving as stewards of collections that represent the nation's cultural, historical and scientific heritage," said IMLS Director Dr. Kathryn K. Matthew.
Recently, Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe announced 23 Virginia Land Conservation Foundation (VLCF) grants, totaling $6.42 million, to support projects that
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Fawcett-Dick-Murray House
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will help shield 7,037 acres of at-risk land in the Commonwealth from development. The largest grant announced was for the City of Alexandria, awarded $900,000 towards the acquisition of the historic Fawcett-Dick-Murray House, one of the oldest and most authentic structures in the city, located at 517 Prince Street in Old Town. The opportunity to preserve the dwelling came about when the current owner volunteered to donate his equity in the property to the City in return for satisfying the remaining mortgage and real estate transfer expenses, enabling the property to be acquired at about half the market value. Once acquired, the Office of Historic Alexandria will operate the house as a museum and education center.
With gifts totaling more than $900,000, Dominion Resources, headquartered in Richmond, is the largest private donor to date to the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown's Campaign for Support. Replacing the Yorktown Victory Center, the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown will debut its permanent exhibition galleries and introductory film to the public on October 15 and 16.
From AIA Virginia: Colonial Williamsburg's curator of architecture William Graham and metal conservator Andrew Baxter will receive AIA Virginia Honors. In the 35 years Graham has been at Colonial Williamsburg, he has become a leading authority on architecture spanning 200 years in Virginia. His impact goes far beyond the scope of Colonial Williamsburg having served as a consultant for historic landmarks including Montpelier, Monticello, Blandfield, and Mount Vernon.
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William Pitt portrait
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From Stratford Hall: With the recent installation of the reproduction William Pitt portrait, the Parlor restoration is complete and ready for visitors. This is a significant accomplishment in the overall comprehensive restoration of the Great House and implementation of the Lee Heritage Interpretive Plan.
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Member News
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The three day Human/Ties event celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) took place September 14 - 17 in Charlottesville, VA. Partner organizations included the University of Virginia, Monticello, the University of Richmond, and Virginia Foundation for the Humanities. Learn more about the NEH 50th Anniversary.
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UMW Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences Richard Finkelstein and JMM Director Scott Harris greet guests in the renovated gallery.
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From the James Monroe Museum: The Museum has been a bit of a construction zone in recent weeks as the functions of two gallery spaces were switched to make better use of limited space. The largest interior room now houses the exhibits used for visitor orientation. This room also remains the changing exhibit area, and can be utilized for public programs and receptions. Exhibits covering James Monroe's early life and experiences during the Revolutionary War were relocated to the former orientation gallery and have been augmented by a new four-minute video program. Curator Jarod Kearney oversaw the design and installation of the exhibit changes.
The Historical Society of Western Virginia, the parent organization of the O. Winston Link Museum and the History Museum of Western Virginia in Roanoke, will consolidate its museums in one location, board president Stephen Warren announced recently. The combined museum will be at the current Link Museum site, which is shared with Visit Virginia's Blue Ridge, the Roanoke Valley visitors' bureau. Local and regional history exhibits will be added to the nationally celebrated O. Winston Link collection.
 As part of the City's commitment to preserving African American burial areas within Fort Ward Park, the Office of Historic Alexandria recently conserved three 19th century grave markers in "The Old Graveyard" on the east side of the park. One of the stones, that had once identified the burial site of Cornelia Spence, had broken in half and the pieces lay for years adjacent to a tree on the edge of the cemetery. Spence's gravestone was carefully repaired by mason expert Howard Wellman. Although the exact located of Spence's grave is unknown, the restored stone was reset within the burial area at a representative spot where no other grave is located. Two other stones within the small cemetery were also professionally cleaned to remove decades of grime and pollutants.
From the Institute of Contemporary Art at VCU: Throughout the summer, concrete work continued with the rapidly rising second and third floors. Recent highlights include the pouring of cement for the first torqued exterior wall and the removal of scaffolding at the Broad Street façade - revealing the building's dramatic angles and unique form.
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Hails and Farewells
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Rob Vaughan (photo by Dan Addison)
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Virginia Foundation for the Humanities (VFH) announced recently that Robert C. Vaughan III, one of the leading advocates for the humanities in America today, will step down as VFH president in 2017, after forty-three years of organizational leadership. Vaughan's term as president will end on June 30. Following a sabbatical, he will officially retire at the end of the year. "Rob Vaughan is one of the most highly respected and gifted state humanities council leaders in the country," said William D. Adams, chairman of the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH). "Under his guidance, Virginia Foundation for the Humanities has become a model for what public humanities practices can and should look like."
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Adriana Greci Green
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The Fralin Museum of Art at the University of Virginia recently announced the new appointment of Adriana Greci Green, PhD, as curator of the Indigenous Arts of the Americas. Dr. Greci Green is an art historian, curator and anthropologist, whose expertise in Native American art histories holds an emphasis on the Plains and Great Lakes regions. Her research focuses on 18-20th-century American Indian histories, exploring the contexts in which material culture, art, dress, and cultural performance are produced and circulated, both historically and today. She also looks at how Native Americans have been represented in museums, popular culture, and the media. Dr. Greci Green earned her doctoral degree from Rutgers University.
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Page Hayhurst
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Virginia Living Museum's (VLM) own Page Hayhurst announced her resignation Tuesday, Sept. 6. She will leave her post as executive director of the museum at the end of the year to become president and CEO of Brookgreen Gardens, Murrells Inlet, S.C.
She will remain through the end of the museum's 50th anniversary celebration including the opening of the permanent outdoor Dinosaur Discovery Trail on Oct. 15 and the conclusion of the Future Ready Campaign to raise $5 million for sustainability and science achievement.
Rebecca Kleinhample has been named interim executive director of the Virginia Living Museum by the museum's Board of Trustees.
Kleinhample, who has been the museum's development director since July 2014, will assume the interim role on Dec. 1. The VLM is undertaking a nationwide search for its next executive director.
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Lynda Allen
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The James Monroe Museum is pleased to announce that Lynda Allen was recently chosen as the institution's first public programs coordinator. The new staff position is responsible for all of the museum's interpretive events, educational programs and facility rentals. Ms. Allen was hired in September 2013 as the museum's office and store manager.
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Professional Development Opportunities
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Learn about the Museum Studies Minor at Lynchburg College
You'll learn by doing: visiting museums and historic sites during a study abroad experience, joining an archeological dig, curating an exhibition at LC's Daura Gallery, or gaining real-life knowledge at the Ramsey-Freer Herbarium and Historic Sandusky.
Free Connecting to Collections Webinar
October 4, 2:00-3:30 PM
Association for the Study of African American Life and History
The 101st Annual Meeting and Conference, entitled Hallowed Grounds: Sites of African American Memories, will be held from Wednesday, October 5 through Sunday, October 9, 2016 at the Richmond Marriott in Richmond, Virginia.
On May 5, 2016, Virginia Africana Associates was officially incorporated in Virginia. Their annual conference is set for October 7th from 9:30 am - 2:30pm at the Richmond Convention Center. Follow them on Facebook.
Art of Command in the Civil War
October 7 - 9, 2016
Environmental Education Conference: A Year of Celebrations
Doubletree Hilton Williamsburg
November 16 - 17, 2016
A New Virginia Renaissance: How Creativity Will Define Our Commonwealth
January 25, 2017 from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Greater Richmond Convention Center, Richmond Virginia
Keynote Speaker: Jamie Bennett
The Virginia Commission for the Arts is pleased to announce the 2017 Art Works for Virginia conference in Richmond. The keynote speaker is Jamie Bennett, director of ArtPlace America.
33rd Annual Small Museum Association Conference
February 21, 2017
College Park, Maryland
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More Museum News
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The Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP) wants to hear from you on the future of the national historic preservation program. In celebration of the 50th anniversary of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the ACHP is preparing recommendations for strengthening the program that the Act created. Learn more.
From the Virginia WWI and WWII Commemoration Commission: Dawn of Infamy: America Goes to War, a tribute to World War II veterans, will take place at the University of Richmond Robins Center on Thursday, December 8, 2016 from 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM, marking the 75th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor and America's entry into the war. Learn more.
Recently, Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) introduced S. 3391, the Museum and Library Services Act of 2016, joined by Senators Susan Collins (R-ME), Thad Cochran (R-MS), and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY). This bipartisan legislation would reauthorize the Institute of Museum and Library Services for six years and advance many of the Principles for IMLS Reauthorization endorsed by the museum field. Learn more.
The Foundation of the American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works (FAIC) recently received a National Leadership Grant for Museums from IMLS that will allow them to expand and enhance their existing web resource, "Connecting to Collections Care," a website focused on providing information, training, and support for those who care for collections in the United States.
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