Changing Direction while Staying the Course

Transcription

1 Oregon Historical Society Changing Direction while Staying the Course Oregon Heritage Conference Over the past six years, the Oregon Historical Society has transformed itself from an organization approaching failure into one that is not only stable but vibrant. We have accomplished this transformation through relying on our core areas of expertise and by forging strong new partnerships. 1

2 Examples of Transformative Projects: Oregon Black History Series Statewide Outreach via Teddy Roosevelt (and more) Oregon Black History Series: 2013 Our exhibit schedule offered an opportunity an excuse, really to focus on Oregon and national history from the perspectives of African American experiences. 2

3 Oregon Black History Series We worked with new and existing community partners (individuals and organizations) to create a range of public programs, publications, and even an additional exhibit and to foster new relationships. We had a wide range of funders, and we archived the series on a permanent webpage: programs/oregon black history series.cfm. Oregon Black History Series: 2013 (and 2014) Charles Williams UO 1920s Robert Robinson UO 1920s Woodley Lewis, UO 1940s Stretched the work into 2014, to accommodate schedules of football players at OSU. With on campus partners and with advisors Dr. Darrell Millner and Mr. Herman Brame, we developed a public program and traveling exhibit: White Athletes Disrupting White Supremacy, which is still available at: athletes disrupting white supremacy in oregon.cfm. 3

4 Oregon Black History Series Changed direction: Focused attention in one area of Oregon history Made new friends Fostered new audiences Stayed the Course: Worked our areas of Expertise: Exhibits, Public Programs, Scholarship Ongoing outcomes: Skanner photograph collection at OHS Diversity Heritage Award OHQ publications (including Black and Blue, 2014 Palmer Award winner) Oregon Black Pioneers exhibit Soon after becoming Executive Director, Kerry Tymchuk reached out to Portland business leader/philanthropist Melvin Pete Mark about possibility of sharing his collection of American presidential and historical artifacts and documents. 4

5 Mr. Mark agreed to loan his collection for exhibits, and OHS hosted Windows on America, which offered a retrospective of the Mark Family Collection. Andie Petkus, photographer Windows on America fostered new and renewed sponsorships with Oregon business and philanthropic community, received wide media attention, and helped lead to surge in attendance. 5

6 A second exhibit, Lincoln s Legacy, further increased partnerships, media attention and attendance, and helped OHS build on momentum. A third exhibit World War II: A World at War; A State Transformed; is scheduled for June December 2015, and has allowed OHS to reach out to additional partners. 6

7 Lincoln and World War II exhibits also created opportunity for OHS to share its collection. Changed direction: Exhibits that were not solely focused on Oregon history Stayed the Course: Created opportunity re-engage long time supporters and sponsors who had drifted away 7

8 Teddy Roosevelt Tour Financing difficulties had led to cancellation of many state outreach efforts. OHS identified need to put the Oregon back in OHS. In 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2014, OHS brought out the nation s preeminent Teddy Roosevelt re creator and took him on a statewide tour, offering him to local historical organizations and schools at no cost. Cities visited have included Coos Bay, Medford, Klamath Falls, Bend, Prineville, Madras, Baker, Pendleton, Eugene, Salem, Newberg, Newport, Astoria, etc. Program has allowed OHS to re establish status as statewide organization, and to offer fundraising and friendraising support to county historical societies. Other Statewide Work Oregon Folklife Network partnership Glass Lantern showcases in Astoria, Bend, Jacksonville Ongoing programs and partnerships enable OHS to expand our work across the entire state. 8

9 Tips from Our Experience Spend time with people you don t know and in places you may feel uncomfortable. Use your friends! Allow your organization to be used by other people and organizations Be persistent: keep reaching out Kerry Tymchuk, kerry.tymchuk@ohs.org and Eliza Canty Jones, eliza.canty jones@ohs.org 9