Field Library Inc

THE NEW MUSEUM OF SPRINGFIELD HISTORY

IMPROVING CLIMATE CONTROL TO PRESERVE COLLECTIONS OF THE GEORGE WALTER VINCENT SMITH ART MUSEUM

MUSEUMS FOR AMERICA

A GLIMPSE INTO THE GILDED AGE: DISCOVERING THE ARCHIVES OF THE GEORGE WALTER VINCENT SMITH ART MUSEUM

CONSERVATION PROGRAM

RETELLING THE FIRST PEOPLES' STORIES [WORKING WITH NATIVE AMERICAN CONSULTANTS, THE SPRINGFIELD MUSEUMS WILL CREATE A MORE INCLUSIVE, ACCURATE, AND NONBIASED INTERPRETATION OF OUR NATIVE AMERICAN COLLECTION TO MAKE THEIR STORIES A POINT OF PRIDE, WONDER, AND INSPIRATION FOR ALL AUDIENCES.] [PURPOSE: THE GRANT WILL BE USED TO UPDATE THE DEPICTION OF THE HISTORY OF THE NATIVE AMERICAN PEOPLE AT THE SPRINGFIELD MUSEUM, WHICH OVERSEES FIVE INTERDISCIPLINARY MUSEUMS IN THE SPRINGFIELD, MA, AREA; RETAINING FIVE JOBS AND CREATING SIX NEW CONTRACT POSITIONS. ACTIVITIES TO BE PERFORMED: THE MUSEUM WILL UPDATE ITS NATIVE AMERICAN HALL WITH THE HELP OF THE PARTNERSHIP IT FORGED WITH A COUNCIL OF NATIVE AMERICAN PEOPLES, PARTICULARLY THOSE REPRESENTING LOCAL TRIBES OF POCUMTUC, AGAWAM, NIPMUC, AND NONOTUCK AND OTHER EASTERN ALGONQUIAN PEOPLES. THE MUSEUM WILL USE A MORE POSITIVE LANGUAGE TO DESCRIBE THE INNOVATIONS THAT ALLOWED THE FIRST PEOPLES TO THRIVE IN THE CONNECTICUT RIVER VALLEY, AND THE RESILIENCE THAT HELPED THEM SURVIVE EVEN AFTER EUROPEAN SETTLERS ARRIVED. THE MUSEUM WILL INCORPORATE A CLEARER AND UNBIASED HISTORY OF COLONIZATION AND FORCED DISPERSAL OF THE INDIGENOUS POPULATION. THE MUSEUM WILL CELEBRATE THE CURRENT POPULATION OF NATIVE PEOPLES THROUGHOUT THE CONNECTICUT RIVER VALLEY, EXPLORE THEIR CULTURE THROUGH CRAFTS, ARTS, RELIGIONS, STORYTELLING, AND LIFE-WAYS. THE MUSEUM WILL ADD A NATIVE AMERICAN LED AND INFORMED EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMING TO ITS SCHEDULE. THE MUSEUM WILL ADOPT A MORE INCLUSIVE, ACCURATE, AND NON-BIASED INTERPRETATION OF ITS NATIVE AMERICAN COLLECTION AS A POINT OF PRIDE, WONDER, AND INSPIRATION FOR ALL AUDIENCES. EXPECTED OUTCOMES: A MORE HONORABLE, DIVERSE AND EQUAL REPRESENTATION OF THE INDIGENOUS POPULATION OF THE AREA WILL ADVOCATE A BETTER INFORMED AUDIENCE AND PUBLIC HUMANITIES SCHOLARSHIP IS THE MAIN EXPECTED OUTCOME. MUSEUM WILL BECOME A BETTER HOST OF THE ARTIFACTS IT HOLDS IN ITS COLLECTION AND RENEW ITS MISSION. INTENDED BENEFICIARIES: THE INTENDED BENEFICIARIES OF THE GRANT ARE THE GENERAL PUBLIC, HUMANITIES SCHOLARS AND ENTHUSIASTS, PUBLIC HUMANITIES SPECIALISTS, AND THE MUSEUM STAFF IN PARTICULAR. SUBRECIPIENT ACTIVITIES: THE RECIPIENT DOES NOT INTEND TO SUBAWARD FUNDS.]

MUSEUMS FOR AMERICA

THE SPRINGFIELD SCIENCE MUSEUM WILL INCREASE PARTICIPATION IN INFORMAL SCIENCE LEARNING BY MAKING ITS EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS AND LEARNING SPACES MORE ACCESSIBLE AND INCLUSIVE. MUSEUM STAFF WILL UNDERGO DISABILITY INCLUSION AND UNIVERSAL DESIGN TRAINING TO REDESIGN AND ENHANCE A CORE MULTI-USE LEARNING SPACE AND PRINCIPLE STEM PROGRAM THAT CAN REMOVE PHYSICAL, COGNITIVE, AND SOCIAL BARRIERS TO LEARNING. EXTERNAL EVALUATORS WILL MEASURE ACCESS NEEDS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES BEFORE AND AFTER PROJECT UPGRADES IN ORDER TO TRACK PROGRESS AND DEVELOP A SCALABLE MODEL OF INCLUSIVE PRACTICE FOR ALL THE MUSEUM?S SCIENCE PROGRAMMING. THE RESULT WILL BE AN IMPROVED EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE FOR VISITORS OF ALL AGES, ABILITIES, AND BACKGROUNDS.

TO SUPPORT THE TOURING EXHIBITION THE LEGACY OF CURRIER AND IVES: SHAPING THE AMERICAN SPIRIT, WITH ACCOMPANYING CATALOGUE.

REINTERPRETING A LATE 19TH-CENTURY COLLECTION FOR NEW AUDIENCES AND A NEW CENTURY