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Sunday, February 16
 

9:00am EST

Bus Tour: Uncovering Hidden Histories of Frederick County
Sunday February 16, 2025 9:00am - 6:00pm EST
Gaithersburg Marriott Washingtonian Center
All bus tours include service to / from Gaithersburg Marriott Washingtonian Center
Gaithersburg, Maryland. Advance registration required.
Add a bus tour to your conference registration to explore area organizations and sites that are "making it happen!"
$30 per tour
All tours include bus service and lunch.

Sunday, February 16: Uncovering Hidden Histories of Frederick County
Explore how three historic sites in nearby Frederick County have worked to uncover the hidden stories of their pasts and integrated those stories into their interpretation.
9:00 am to 6:30 pm

Sponsored by Visit Frederick. Take advantage of our room block, and spend the weekend before the conference in vibrant, historic Frederick!

Registration for this tour isn't available through the Sched app. Click the link below to check availability and register:
Find out more and register
Sunday February 16, 2025 9:00am - 6:00pm EST
Gaithersburg Marriott Washingtonian Center 9751 Washingtonian Blvd, Gaithersburg, MD 20878, USA
  Bus Tour
 
Monday, February 17
 

10:30am EST

Bus Tour: Planning for Interpretation at Black and African American Heritage Sites
Monday February 17, 2025 10:30am - 3:30pm EST
Gaithersburg Marriott Washingtonian Center
All bus tours include service to / from Gaithersburg Marriott Washingtonian Center
Gaithersburg, Maryland. Advance registration required.
Add a bus tour to your conference registration to explore area organizations and sites that are "making it happen!"
$30 per tour
All tours include bus service and lunch.

Monday, February 17: Planning for Interpretation at Black and African American Heritage Sites
Visit several of the Montgomery County sites rich in Black and African American history, and engage in a multi-site conversation about interpretation and interpretive planning within the specific context of Black and African American histories.
10:30 am to 3:30 pm, concluding at the opening reception, with return service to the conference hotel at 6:00 pm
Sponsored by Heritage Montgomery.

Registration for this tour isn't available through the Sched app. Click the link below to check availability and register:
Find out more and register
Monday February 17, 2025 10:30am - 3:30pm EST
Gaithersburg Marriott Washingtonian Center 9751 Washingtonian Blvd, Gaithersburg, MD 20878, USA
  Bus Tour

12:00pm EST

Registration Table
Monday February 17, 2025 12:00pm - 5:00pm EST
Gaithersburg Marriott Washingtonian Center
Monday February 17, 2025 12:00pm - 5:00pm EST
Gaithersburg Marriott Washingtonian Center 9751 Washingtonian Blvd, Gaithersburg, MD 20878, USA
  Resource Hall & Silent Auction

1:00pm EST

The Future of SMA: Strategic Planning Discussion
Monday February 17, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm EST
Salon B
Monday February 17, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm EST
Salon B Gaithersburg Marriott Washingtonian Center Gaithersburg, Maryland
  Monday, Meeting

1:00pm EST

Building Better Job Descriptions: Bringing Humanity Back to Hiring
Monday February 17, 2025 1:00pm - 2:30pm EST
Lakeside 2
In the museum field, job descriptions are often inconsistent and lack the depth needed to attract the right candidates, and this session provides museum professionals with the tools and techniques to create thoughtful, effective, and human-centered job descriptions. We'll unpack real job descriptions (the good and the bad), define your ideal candidate, and help you develop your advertisement. By the end of the workshop, participants will leave equipped with practical skills and strategies to attract the right candidates, reflect the values of their institution, and contribute to a more humane hiring process.
Speakers
AS

Alli Schell

Director of Public Programs, Marshall Steam Museum
Alli Schell: Loves championing small museums and is the Director of Public Programs at the Marshall Steam Museum in Yorklyn, DE. In her spare time, she serves as a career coach for museum professionals through her business, Your Museum Career Coach.
SD

Samantha Dorsey

Principal, Heirloom Consulting
Samantha Dorsey: As Principal of Heirloom Consulting, Dorsey solves non-profit problems by serving as an auxiliary staff member, walking well communicated paths towards shared goals.
Monday February 17, 2025 1:00pm - 2:30pm EST
Lakeside 2 Gaithersburg Marriott Washingtonian Center Gaithersburg, Maryland
  Monday, Workshop

1:00pm EST

How to Innovate & Collaborate without Harming Yourself or Others
Monday February 17, 2025 1:00pm - 2:30pm EST
Salon A
In this workshop, staff from the Rosenbach Museum & Library, Alexander Ames, the Director of Outreach & Engagement and Emilie Parker, the Director of Education, with their combined 25 years of experience at the Rosenbach,  will introduce a process for the development and implementation of innovative projects, one that will save time and energy in the long run and can help clear the way for successful innovation in the future.
Speakers
AL

Alexander Lawrence Ames

Director of Outreach & Engagement, Rosenbach Museum & Library
Alexander Lawrence Ames is Director of Outreach & Engagement at the Rosenbach Museum & Library. He oversees the Rosenbach's gallery exhibitions, tours, as well as onsite and online public programs for adult audiences. He holds an M.A. in American material culture as well as an M.A... Read More →
EP

Emilie Parker

Director of Education, Rosenbach Museum & Library
Emilie Parker is Director of Education at the Rosenbach Museum & Library. She manages programs for young audiences. She holds a B.A. in art history and classical civilization from Colby College and an M.A. in museum studies from the University of Newcastle Upon Tyne.
Monday February 17, 2025 1:00pm - 2:30pm EST
Salon A Gaithersburg Marriott Washingtonian Center Gaithersburg, Maryland
  Monday, Workshop

1:00pm EST

Putting It All Together: Preparing for 2026 at Small History Organizations
Monday February 17, 2025 1:00pm - 2:30pm EST
Lakeside 1
The US 250th is an opportunity to share history that tells everyone's story and to strengthen the history field. AASLH has developed key resources to help practitioners to both conceptually and concretely plan for this commemoration's transformative potential. Learn about the filed guide, programming idea, handbook, and how to effectively apply these tools to your site or organization.
Speakers
avatar for Melissa Prycer

Melissa Prycer

Consultant, Prycer Consulting
Melissa Prycer is a passionate advocate for small museums--and the super powers they possess. After serving as educator and ultimately executive director at a small museum in Texas, she launched a consulting practice focusing on ways to build effectiveness within small msueums.
Monday February 17, 2025 1:00pm - 2:30pm EST
Lakeside 1 Gaithersburg Marriott Washingtonian Center Gaithersburg, Maryland
  Monday, Workshop

1:00pm EST

Resource Hall
Monday February 17, 2025 1:00pm - 4:00pm EST
Washingtonian Ballroom Foyer
Monday February 17, 2025 1:00pm - 4:00pm EST
Washingtonian Ballroom Foyer

1:00pm EST

Silent Auction
Monday February 17, 2025 1:00pm - 4:00pm EST
Lakeside 1 & 2 Foyer
The Silent Auction ends on Tuesday the 18th at 8:00 PM
Monday February 17, 2025 1:00pm - 4:00pm EST
Lakeside 1 & 2 Foyer

2:30pm EST

Maryland State Museum Meeting
Monday February 17, 2025 2:30pm - 3:30pm EST
Lakeside 1
Monday February 17, 2025 2:30pm - 3:30pm EST
Lakeside 1 Gaithersburg Marriott Washingtonian Center Gaithersburg, Maryland
  Monday, Meeting

4:00pm EST

Offsite Opening Reception at the National Capital Trolley Museum
Monday February 17, 2025 4:00pm - 6:00pm EST
National Capital Trolley Museum
LOCATION: 
National Capital Trolley Museum
1313 Bonifant Road
Colesville, MD 20905-5955

Reception sponsored by: HighFive Tourism Solutions 
Bus Service to and from reception sponsored by: Heritage Montgomery


TRANSPORTATION 
Getting to the National Capital Trolley Museum
It is about an 18 minute drive from the Gaithersburg Marriott Washingtonian Center to the National Capital Trolley Museum.

Sponsored Bus Service to and from reception 
Heritage Montgomery is sponsoring three charter buses to provide transportation to and from the Monday reception. The schedule is:
  • 3:20 - 3:30 PM Buses arrive at hotel & line up along the side of the hotel. Drivers have been instructed not to block the entry. Elise will be setting up at the Trolley Museum. Nora, Kristen, and Robin will help manage bus boarding at the hotel.
  • 3:30 - 3:35 PM Buses depart for National Capital Trolley Museum (ETA 3:50 - 4:00 PM)
  • 6:00 PM Buses will be available at the Trolley Museum to shuttle attendees back to conference hotel (ETA 6:30 PM). Nora, Kristen, and Robin will each take one bus back to the hotel and provide driver gratuity.

Other rideshare options: 

GroupCarpool 
Group Carpool: Driving to SMA? You might consider joining GroupCarpool to share a ride with your fellow conference attendees. This a great free option for attendees to get around the area for free and meet each other.
  • GroupCarpool is a user-friendly app designed to simplify carpooling. It connects users who want to share rides, making it easier to coordinate travel plans with friends, colleagues, or fellow commuters. The platform allows users to create and join carpools, track rides, and communicate seamlessly within the app. With features like route optimization and scheduling, GroupCarpool promotes eco-friendly transportation and helps reduce traffic congestion, making it a convenient solution for anyone looking to save on travel costs and connect with others.

Rideshare
Uber and Lyft 
  • To order an Uber or Lyft, download the app and sign up. Set your pickup location and destination, choose your ride type, and confirm your ride. Then, meet your driver at the designated spot and enjoy your trip!

Monday February 17, 2025 4:00pm - 6:00pm EST
National Capital Trolley Museum 1313 Bonifant Rd, Colesville, MD 20905
  Monday

6:00pm EST

Eat & Engage (No Meal Provided)
Monday February 17, 2025 6:00pm - 9:00pm EST
Join some colleagues and network with new friends over dinner.

There are plenty of restaurants within walking distance of the hotel. Check out this list of options.


Monday February 17, 2025 6:00pm - 9:00pm EST

9:00pm EST

Trivia
Monday February 17, 2025 9:00pm - 10:30pm EST
Lakeside 1
Join us for late night Trivia! Create a team (1 to 8 persons per team), and come up with your team name!

Open to all!
Monday February 17, 2025 9:00pm - 10:30pm EST
Lakeside 1 Gaithersburg Marriott Washingtonian Center Gaithersburg, Maryland
  Monday, Late Night Fun
 
Tuesday, February 18
 

8:00am EST

Breakfast
Tuesday February 18, 2025 8:00am - 9:00am EST
Ballroom
Tuesday February 18, 2025 8:00am - 9:00am EST
Ballroom Gaithersburg Marriott Washingtonian Center Gaithersburg, Maryland
  Tuesday, Keynote

8:00am EST

Resource Hall
Tuesday February 18, 2025 8:00am - 4:00pm EST
Washingtonian Ballroom Foyer
Tuesday February 18, 2025 8:00am - 4:00pm EST
Washingtonian Ballroom Foyer

8:00am EST

Registration Table
Tuesday February 18, 2025 8:00am - 4:00pm EST
Gaithersburg Marriott Washingtonian Center
Tuesday February 18, 2025 8:00am - 4:00pm EST
Gaithersburg Marriott Washingtonian Center 9751 Washingtonian Blvd, Gaithersburg, MD 20878, USA
  Resource Hall & Silent Auction

8:00am EST

Silent Auction
Tuesday February 18, 2025 8:00am - 8:00pm EST
Lakeside 1 & 2 Foyer
The Silent Auction ends on Tuesday the 18th at 8:00 PM
Tuesday February 18, 2025 8:00am - 8:00pm EST
Lakeside 1 & 2 Foyer

9:00am EST

Keynote, Veronica Gallardo - "Small Museum but Mighty!"
Tuesday February 18, 2025 9:00am - 10:00am EST
Ballroom
Join Veronica Gallardo, Director of the Surratt House Museum with the Maryland-National Capital Park Planning
Commission, as she presents "Small Museum but Mighty!"

"Small Museum but Mighty!" is a powerful reminder of the unique advantages and superpowers that small museums possess. Join the keynote speaker to learn how to harness your superpower of working at a small museum, where we are able to connect deeply with the community, foster creativity, and tell unique stories. Our impact on these institutions is significant, proving that size does not determine influence. Let's Make it Happen!  
Speakers
avatar for Veronica Gallardo

Veronica Gallardo

Director of the Surratt House Museum, The Surratt House Museum
Tuesday February 18, 2025 9:00am - 10:00am EST
Ballroom Gaithersburg Marriott Washingtonian Center Gaithersburg, Maryland
  Tuesday, Keynote

10:15am EST

20+ Programs, Seven Exhibits, Four Months, Three Staff, and an Osprey on a Flagpole: Pooling Skills and Using Community Resources
Tuesday February 18, 2025 10:15am - 11:15am EST
Salon A
With a staff of just twelve year-round staff members comprising departments of one, collaboration with colleagues and community partners make it possible for the Antique Boat Museum (ABM) to host 20+ different education programs on and off the water for all ages as well as plan, produce, and install seven new exhibits on a minimal budget. ABM’s Educator Molly Voth and Curator/Collections Manager Caitlin Playle will share some of their collaborations, big and small, and tips and tricks for successful results. There will be an opportunity for attendees to swap tips and tricks at the end.
Speakers
CP

Caitlin Playle

Curator/Collections Manager, Antique Boat Museum
Caitlin Playle is the Curator/Collections Manager at the Antique Boat Museum in Clayton, NY. Caitlin has 10 years of experience in collections and museum event management.
MV

Molly Voth

Educator, Antique Boat Museum
Molly Voth is the Educator at the Antique Boat Museum in Clayton, NY. Molly has 10 years in teaching and education.
Tuesday February 18, 2025 10:15am - 11:15am EST
Salon A Gaithersburg Marriott Washingtonian Center Gaithersburg, Maryland
  Tuesday, Session

10:15am EST

Government Accountability Office Focus Group: Museum Facility and Infrastructure Challenges
Tuesday February 18, 2025 10:15am - 11:15am EST
Lakeside 2
The U.S. Government Accountability Office is conducting a study for Congress on the condition of public library and museum facilities. To learn more about the challenges of maintaining a state of good repair in museum facilities, this session will be a discussion of the current conditions of museums, challenges funding infrastructure upgrades and repairs, and unique challenges small museums face. Representatives of any museum institutions are welcome.
Speakers
KB

Kyle Browning

Assistant Director, Physical Infrastructure team at the U.S. Government Accountability Office
Kyle Browning is an Assistant Director in the Physical Infrastructure team at the U.S. Government Accountability Office.  Over 19 years at GAO, he has worked on studies related to public transit, real property asset management, and the U.S. Postal Service, among other things.  He... Read More →
SD

Sharon Dyer

Analyst, Physical Infrastructure team at the U.S. Government Accountability Office
Sharon Dyer is an Analyst in the Physical Infrastructure team at the U.S. Government Accountability Office. During her career at GAO she has worked on studies of highway safety, public transit, and aviation safety, among other topics.  She is a graduate of Syracuse University where... Read More →
Tuesday February 18, 2025 10:15am - 11:15am EST
Lakeside 2 Gaithersburg Marriott Washingtonian Center Gaithersburg, Maryland
  Tuesday, Session

10:15am EST

Leveraging Digital Tools to Promote Access to Collections
Tuesday February 18, 2025 10:15am - 11:15am EST
Lakeside 1
Discover how museums, historic houses, and living history sites can leverage digital tools to promote access and engagement with their collections. This panel presentation will provide practical insights from the McFaddin-Ward House Museum on implementing virtual tour systems, managing digital projects, and integrating new platforms during extended closures.  Attendees will learn actionable strategies for using technology to enhance audience outreach and foster collaboration in their own institutions.
Speakers
avatar for Dan Rael

Dan Rael

Co Founder, Business Development, CatalogIt
Dan is a Co-Founder of CatalogIt, with a strong background in anthropology and archaeology. As an avid collector for most of his life, his passion for preserving and organizing collections has been a driving force behind CatalogIt's development.
avatar for Rayanna Hoeft

Rayanna Hoeft

Museum Services Program Specialist, Texas Historical Commission
Rayanna Hoeft is the Museum Services Program Specialist at the Texas Historical Commission and holds an MA in History with a concentration in public history from Texas State University. Previously, she served as Director of Education at the McFaddin-Ward House Museum, Director of... Read More →
avatar for Todd Hoeft

Todd Hoeft

Co-Owner, PrimeSite Web Solutions
Todd Hoeft, Co-Owner of PrimeSite Web Solutions, has developed web applications and systems for over a quarter century. His passion for history and historical institutions led him to enter the industry, where he combines his technical expertise with a deep appreciation for the pa... Read More →
VT

Victoria Tamez

Curator of Collections, McFaddin-Ward House Museum
Victoria Tamez earned her undergraduate degree in Integrated Digital and Public History from Our Lady of the Lake University and her graduate degree in Heritage and Museum Sciences from Texas Tech University. She currently works as Curator of Collections at the McFaddin-Ward House... Read More →
Tuesday February 18, 2025 10:15am - 11:15am EST
Lakeside 1 Gaithersburg Marriott Washingtonian Center Gaithersburg, Maryland
  Tuesday, Session

10:15am EST

Repatriation and Its Impact
Tuesday February 18, 2025 10:15am - 11:15am EST
Salon B
Small Nashville Museum repatriates 255 artifacts to West Mexico and creates an exhibit to to inform visitors and grow community partnership.
Speakers
LB

Lauren Bufferd

Parthenon Director, Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County, Parks and Recreation Department
Lauren Bufferd is the Director of the Parthenon in Nashville, Tennessee which is part of the Metro Parks and Recreation Department. Originally an archivist at the Chicago Public Library, Bufferd has a 30 year career in management of museums and libraries.
BS

Bonnie Seymour

Registrar and Assistant Curator, Parthenon
Bonnie Seymour is the Registrar and Assistant Curator of the Parthenon. She has a Bachelors of Art in Classical Civilization and Art History from the University of Rhode Island, and a Masters in Museology from Harvard.
Tuesday February 18, 2025 10:15am - 11:15am EST
Salon B Gaithersburg Marriott Washingtonian Center Gaithersburg, Maryland
  Tuesday, Session

11:15am EST

Coffee Break: Sponsored by Laura Apelbaum
Tuesday February 18, 2025 11:15am - 12:30pm EST
Salon B

Laura Applebaum Sponsored Coffee Break

Laura Cohen Apelbaum of Apelbaum Nonprofit Consulting has expertise in fundraising, strategic visioning, program and outreach, and management. The former Executive Director of DC’s Jewish Historical Society, she served for more than twenty years transforming every aspect of its museum, archives, and programs.

As a consultant, her clients have included: Laurel and Chevy Chase historical societies (strategic planning), Montgomery History (planned giving), The National Theatre and Arts on the Block (grant writing) and Georgetown University’s Theater and A Farm Less Ordinary (developing Major Donor programs).

Small Museum Conference participants may contact her at lapelbaum2@gmail.com to schedule a complimentary 30-minute consultation.


Rev Up Your Fundraising: Tips to Accelerate Giving

Spend your coffee break learning tips to enhance your fundraising today! Bring your questions to be answered onsite or afterward at a complimentary 30-minute consultation. Reach out to Laura at lapelbaum2@gmail.com to schedule your session.
Sponsors
avatar for Laura Cohen Apelbaum

Laura Cohen Apelbaum

Consultant, Apelbaum Nonprofit Consulting

Tuesday February 18, 2025 11:15am - 12:30pm EST
Salon B Gaithersburg Marriott Washingtonian Center Gaithersburg, Maryland
  Tuesday

11:30am EST

Making a Collection Happen: Two Case Studies
Tuesday February 18, 2025 11:30am - 12:30pm EST
Salon A
Have you ever wondered what it’s like to start a collection? Hear from the founding director of Springsong Museum, a new museum in Silver Spring, Maryland, about the process of shaping what the future of the permanent collection will look like. Next hear from Angie Barry and Ashley Williams, the first curator and current curator of the Gadsden Arts Center & Museum in Quincy, Florida, who helped build the collection and the plans for the future.
Speakers
avatar for Rebecca Henson

Rebecca Henson

Founder, Executive Director, Springsong Museum
Rebecca Henson is the Founder and Executive Director of Springsong Museum, a community museum inspired by writer and biologist Rachel Carson currently in development in Silver Spring, Maryland. Rebecca has degrees in History from Vanderbilt University and Politics, Policy, and Society... Read More →
avatar for Angie Barry

Angie Barry

Founder/Director, AB Museum Consulting, LLC
Based in Maryland, Angie Barry helps museums develop strategic plans and collection policies, coordinates multi-year exhibition projects, and has written successful federal and private foundation grants. For 15 years, Barry served as the Associate Director & Curator at the Gadsden... Read More →
AW

Ashley Williams

Curator of Exhibitions & Collections, Gadsden Arts Center & Museum
Ashley Williams has worked in art museums, academic art galleries, and a children’s museum, and is currently the Curator of Exhibitions & Collections at the Gadsden Arts Center & Museum. She earned her bachelor’s and master’s degree in Art History from the University of South... Read More →
Tuesday February 18, 2025 11:30am - 12:30pm EST
Salon A Gaithersburg Marriott Washingtonian Center Gaithersburg, Maryland
  Tuesday, Session

11:30am EST

Making Touch Objects For Museum Exhibits
Tuesday February 18, 2025 11:30am - 12:30pm EST
Lakeside 2
Information in museums is predominantly presented visually, behind glass, or roped off, excluding visitors who are Blind or Low Vision along with anyone who learns best through touch. This session describes two case studies about creating touch objects that align with the interpretive goals of recent museum exhibits. We found that mixed groups of blind and sighted visitors benefit from tactile interpretations of exhibit content because they can experience the exhibits together.
Speakers
avatar for Cheryl Fogle-Hatch

Cheryl Fogle-Hatch

Founder, MuseumSenses LLC
Cheryl Fogle-Hatch, Founder, MuseumSenses LLC, helps museums develop multisensory experiences. She leverages her research experience and her lived experience as a blind person to design touch objects for museums. 
avatar for Stefanie Koseff

Stefanie Koseff

Accessibility Researcher, NYU Ability Project
Stefanie Koseff, accessibility researcher at the NYU Ability Project, creates tactile media using a digital embroidery machine. Her work has been exhibited at the Poster House, and she is contributing to an upcoming exhibit at the Intrepid Museum.
Tuesday February 18, 2025 11:30am - 12:30pm EST
Lakeside 2 Gaithersburg Marriott Washingtonian Center Gaithersburg, Maryland
  Tuesday, Session

11:30am EST

Revitalizing the Outdated: Reimagining the Visitor Experience for the 21st Century
Tuesday February 18, 2025 11:30am - 12:30pm EST
Lakeside 1
Learn how the Jonathan Hager House has spent the last 5 years developing a plan to update and renovate an outdated exhibit space for the modern era. Discover how this small municipal museum has dealt with challenges including lack of staff, funding, and resources to create a vision and purpose for a new visitor center.
Speakers
avatar for Kay Manuel Osmer

Kay Manuel Osmer

Recreation Assistant, City of Hagerstown, Parks & Recreation, Jonathan Hager House Museum
Kay Manuel Osmer, M.A. in Public History, was a part-time guide and curator for the Jonathan Hager House for 4 years and continues to guide the progress of the site as a full-time Recreation Assistant for the City of Hagerstown, Maryland.
Tuesday February 18, 2025 11:30am - 12:30pm EST
Lakeside 1 Gaithersburg Marriott Washingtonian Center Gaithersburg, Maryland
  Tuesday, Session

12:30pm EST

Lunch
Tuesday February 18, 2025 12:30pm - 1:45pm EST
Ballroom
Tuesday February 18, 2025 12:30pm - 1:45pm EST
Ballroom Gaithersburg Marriott Washingtonian Center Gaithersburg, Maryland
  Tuesday

2:00pm EST

Rest Space
Tuesday February 18, 2025 2:00pm - 3:00pm EST
Salon B
Tuesday February 18, 2025 2:00pm - 3:00pm EST
Salon B Gaithersburg Marriott Washingtonian Center Gaithersburg, Maryland
  Tuesday, Rest Space

2:00pm EST

Where Does the Bus Even Park? Overcoming Logistical Challenges of Field Trips in Small Museums
Tuesday February 18, 2025 2:00pm - 3:00pm EST
Lakeside 2
Any museum, no matter the size, must learn to overcome the logistical challenges of bringing students to the institution.  Join Liberty Hall Museum’s Education Coordinator, Hannah Gaston, and Education Assistant Michaela Piepoli as they share the strategies and effective practices they use when coordinating school trips, with the goal that participants will feel more empowered and more educated about how to recognize and prepare for their own institution’s field trip challenges. The panelists will explore questions including: How do you tell the buses where to drop off or park?; How do you get local schools to know about your institution and programs?; How do you make historic rooms accessible for students with physical disabilities in non-ADA compliment spaces?; and more.
Speakers
avatar for Hannah Gaston

Hannah Gaston

Education Coordinator, Liberty Hall Museum
Hannah M. Gaston is the Education Coordinator at Liberty Hall Museum in Union, NJ, and a guest lecturer in the Seton Hall University Museum Professions program. She holds a B.A. in History from Elmira College and an M.A. in Museum Education from Seton Hall University.
avatar for Michaela Piepoli

Michaela Piepoli

Education Assistant, Liberty Hall Museum
Michaela Piepoli is the Education Assistant at Liberty Hall Museum in Union, NJ. She received her Bachelors in History from Kean University in 2023, where she researched the role of bystanders in Holocaust survivor testimonies with the director of Kean’s Holocaust and Genocide Studies... Read More →
Tuesday February 18, 2025 2:00pm - 3:00pm EST
Lakeside 2 Gaithersburg Marriott Washingtonian Center Gaithersburg, Maryland
  Tuesday, Session

2:00pm EST

“Whatever Happened to the Communications Museum?” or Saving a Collection from Organizational Disaster
Tuesday February 18, 2025 2:00pm - 3:00pm EST
Salon A
The John Rivers Communication Museum at the College of Charleston housed a significant collection of communication technology artifacts, but fell into disrepair due to funding issues and lack of organizational oversight. In 2020, archival staff at the College were asked to create a new exhibit, reimagining the museum’s legacy. This presentation will explore the museum’s history, the new exhibit's creation, and how overcoming major challenges can lead to professional growth.
Speakers
CS

Catherine Stiers

Special Collections Exhibits and Outreach Curator, College of Charleston
Catherine Stiers is the Special Collections Exhibits and Outreach Curator at the College of Charleston. She graduated from the College of Charleston in 2017 with a B.A. in History, and earned an M.A. in Public History from North Carolina State University in 2019. Her professional... Read More →
avatar for Kelly Kerbow Hudson

Kelly Kerbow Hudson

Director of Special Collections and Archives, College of Charleston
Kelly Kerbow Hudson is an archivist and academic librarian with a background in special collections user services and management. Currently she is Director of Special Collections and Archives at the College of Charleston. Previously she was Head of Reader and Viewer Services at the... Read More →
Tuesday February 18, 2025 2:00pm - 3:00pm EST
Salon A Gaithersburg Marriott Washingtonian Center Gaithersburg, Maryland
  Tuesday, Session

2:00pm EST

Unlocking the Mysteries of Your Organization’s Tax Return
Tuesday February 18, 2025 2:00pm - 4:00pm EST
Lakeside 1
Form 990. Your organization files one every year, but did you know that it can be a powerful informational tool? Jillian Decker and Conrad Deitrick will present a crash course in understanding nonprofit tax returns, both Form 990 and Form 990-PF. These returns become public, so it’s important to learn what you’re telling the world about your own organization, and all the juicy secrets you can find out about other organizations. We will provide a basic orientation to these highly informational returns, with specific emphasis on the information that is most useful to you—salary information, board composition, grant making history, size, and budget.

This session includes a one-hour presentation followed by a one-hour one-on-one review session
Speakers
avatar for Jillian Decker

Jillian Decker

Marketing Chair, State Theatre New Jersey
CD
Tuesday February 18, 2025 2:00pm - 4:00pm EST
Lakeside 1 Gaithersburg Marriott Washingtonian Center Gaithersburg, Maryland
  Tuesday

3:00pm EST

The Future of SMA: Strategic Planning Discussion
Tuesday February 18, 2025 3:00pm - 4:00pm EST
Lakeside 2
Tuesday February 18, 2025 3:00pm - 4:00pm EST
Lakeside 2 Gaithersburg Marriott Washingtonian Center Gaithersburg, Maryland
  Tuesday

4:00pm EST

Dutch Treat Happy Hour with HCWHA
Tuesday February 18, 2025 4:00pm - 5:00pm EST
Hotel Bar
Dutch Treat Happy Hour at 4:00 PM

All SMA attendees associated with Carroll, Frederick and Washington counties are encouraged to find their way to Dutch Treat Heart of the Civil War Heritage happy hour at 4:00 pm today in the hotel bar!
Sponsors
avatar for Heart of the Civil War Heritage Area, Inc.
Tuesday February 18, 2025 4:00pm - 5:00pm EST
Hotel Bar
  Tuesday

5:30pm EST

Cocktail Hour & Banquet
Tuesday February 18, 2025 5:30pm - 9:00pm EST
Ballroom
The banquet is included in most registration ticket types. For more details, check out our website here: https://smallmuseum.org/conference-registration

5:30 pm Cocktail Hour (Resource Hall area)
6:30 pm Banquet (Ballroom) 
8:00 pm Silent Auction Closes
Tuesday February 18, 2025 5:30pm - 9:00pm EST
Ballroom Gaithersburg Marriott Washingtonian Center Gaithersburg, Maryland
  Tuesday
 
Wednesday, February 19
 

8:00am EST

Breakfast
Wednesday February 19, 2025 8:00am - 9:00am EST
Ballroom
Wednesday February 19, 2025 8:00am - 9:00am EST
Ballroom Gaithersburg Marriott Washingtonian Center Gaithersburg, Maryland
  Wednesday, Plenary

8:00am EST

Resource Hall
Wednesday February 19, 2025 8:00am - 12:00pm EST
Washingtonian Ballroom Foyer
Wednesday February 19, 2025 8:00am - 12:00pm EST
Washingtonian Ballroom Foyer

8:00am EST

Registration Table
Wednesday February 19, 2025 8:00am - 12:00pm EST
Gaithersburg Marriott Washingtonian Center
Wednesday February 19, 2025 8:00am - 12:00pm EST
Gaithersburg Marriott Washingtonian Center 9751 Washingtonian Blvd, Gaithersburg, MD 20878, USA
  Resource Hall & Silent Auction

9:00am EST

Plenary, Marvin-Alonzo Greer - Wake Up Small Museums! You Have The Power!
Wednesday February 19, 2025 9:00am - 10:00am EST
Ballroom
Join Marvin-Alonzo Greer, Managing Partner for Impact Strategies and Director of Historic Interpretation & Community Engagement for the Department of Parks and Planning in Prince George's County, Maryland, for Wake Up Small Museums! You Have The Power! Join the discussion on how small museums have the power, flexibility, and resources to light the path forward for American museums and educate our nation.  
Speakers
avatar for Marvin-Alonzo Greer

Marvin-Alonzo Greer

Director of Historic Interpretation & Community Engagement, Department of Parks and Planning in Prince George's County, Maryland
Wednesday February 19, 2025 9:00am - 10:00am EST
Ballroom Gaithersburg Marriott Washingtonian Center Gaithersburg, Maryland
  Wednesday, Plenary

10:15am EST

Getting to the Art of the Matter
Wednesday February 19, 2025 10:15am - 11:15am EST
Lakeside 1
The arts invite audiences to engage with their subjects in a visceral, emotional way, and when artists use historical and scientific data as inspiration, they can create works that drive home deep truths about the past and inspire further engagement. For example, the Catoctin Furnace Historical Society has collaborated with artists to interpret history through poetry, performance, and forensic facial reconstructions, and the Delaplaine Arts Center developed an invitational exhibition in partnership with area visual artists and historic sites to commemorate the 275th anniversary of the founding of Frederick County, Maryland. Alongside some of the artists of the above partnerships, Elizabeth, Jim and Corey will provide examples of how the emotional understanding gained by providing a platform for shared meaning-making serves as a compliment to traditional interpretation and attracts new audiences and funding sources.
Speakers
CF

Corey Frey

Exhibitions Manager, The Delaplaine Arts Center
Corey Frey is a visual artist, poet and the Exhibitions Manager at The Delaplaine Arts Center in Frederick Maryland.
EA

Elizabeth Anderson Comer

President, Catoctin Furnace Historical Society, Inc
Dr. Elizabeth Comer: Elizabeth Anderson Comer is an archaeologist who serves as the president of the Catoctin Furnace Historical Society, Inc. (CFHS) and president of EAC/Archaeology, Inc. She serves as a principal investigator for the groundbreaking DNA research team with Harvard... Read More →
Wednesday February 19, 2025 10:15am - 11:15am EST
Lakeside 1 Gaithersburg Marriott Washingtonian Center Gaithersburg, Maryland
  Wednesday, Session

10:15am EST

The Future of SMA: Strategic Planning Discussion
Wednesday February 19, 2025 10:15am - 11:15am EST
Lakeside 2
Wednesday February 19, 2025 10:15am - 11:15am EST
Lakeside 2 Gaithersburg Marriott Washingtonian Center Gaithersburg, Maryland
  Wednesday

10:15am EST

Tour A New Online Research Tool for Regional African American History
Wednesday February 19, 2025 10:15am - 11:15am EST
Salon B
The Heart of the Civil War Heritage Area will present the newly updated Crossroads of War and Freedom website, an online collection of resources dating from the Civil War era, roughly from the Dred Scott case through Reconstruction. Focusing on Maryland's Carroll, Frederick, and Washington Counties, the website includes new African American history resources and detailed essays interpret the content. Take a first look at the new website and get inspiration for how your site can use this resource to develop on-site interpretation, social media content, and more.

Resource Hall
avatar for Emily Huebner

Emily Huebner

Director of Operations and Programs, Heart of the Civil War Heritage Area, Inc.
Emily Huebner is the Director of Operations and Programs at the Heart of the Civil War Heritage Area, the Maryland heritage area covering portions of Carroll, Frederick, and Washington Counties.
Wednesday February 19, 2025 10:15am - 11:15am EST
Salon B Gaithersburg Marriott Washingtonian Center Gaithersburg, Maryland
  Wednesday, Session

10:15am EST

With a Staff of One, Vision and Collaboration Make it Happen
Wednesday February 19, 2025 10:15am - 11:15am EST
Salon A
With a small staff of one, collaboration is essential for the Pasto Agricultural Museum to achieve its goals. Located nine miles from Penn State's main campus on one of the College of Agricultural Sciences research farms, the Museum relies on partnerships to create impactful programs. In 2024, we launched a multi-stakeholder initiative, engaging high school students and teachers with content developed by pre-service undergraduate teachers, who will work alongside researchers to bring cutting-edge science to life through hands-on activities and presentations.
Speakers
RG

Rita Graef

Director, Penn State University, College of Agricultural Sciences
Rita Graef is Director of the Pasto Agricultural Museum and Armsby Respiration Calorimeter Historic Site, both in the College of Agricultural Sciences at Penn State, and serves as Chair of the Penn State Museum Consortium. Rita will share a model for thinking about what collaborative... Read More →
Wednesday February 19, 2025 10:15am - 11:15am EST
Salon A Gaithersburg Marriott Washingtonian Center Gaithersburg, Maryland
  Wednesday, Session
 
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Gaithersburg Marriott Washingtonian Center
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Lakeside 1
Lakeside 1 & 2 Foyer
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National Capital Trolley Museum
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Washingtonian Ballroom Foyer
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