American Association for State and Local History
@aaslh.org
AASLH provides leadership and resources to help the history community thrive and make history more meaningful to all people. Join us at aaslh.org.
July 4 is five months away, but there's still time to prepare to participate in the commemorations of the 250th anniversary of America's founding. Attend our webinar tomorrow to learn about AASLH resources and how to connect at the local, state, and national level. Register at tinyurl.com/numkh5xr.
February 3, 2026 at 11:58 PM
July 4 is five months away, but there's still time to prepare to participate in the commemorations of the 250th anniversary of America's founding. Attend our webinar tomorrow to learn about AASLH resources and how to connect at the local, state, and national level. Register at tinyurl.com/numkh5xr.
Last Friday, a federal judge called the Trump administration's reasoning for removing an exhibit about slavery from Independence National Historic Park a "dangerous statement to make" and "horrifying to listen to."
‘Horrifying’: Judge questions abrupt removal of slavery exhibits
The National Park Service removed the exhibits in Philadelphia last week to comply with an executive order by President Donald Trump.
www.eenews.net
February 3, 2026 at 9:02 PM
Last Friday, a federal judge called the Trump administration's reasoning for removing an exhibit about slavery from Independence National Historic Park a "dangerous statement to make" and "horrifying to listen to."
Join the AASLH Educators and Interpreters Committee at this month's free History Hour on February 24. You'll hear how others are incorporating 250th content and AASLH's 250 themes into their programming. Register at tinyurl.com/HH0226.
February 3, 2026 at 6:55 PM
Join the AASLH Educators and Interpreters Committee at this month's free History Hour on February 24. You'll hear how others are incorporating 250th content and AASLH's 250 themes into their programming. Register at tinyurl.com/HH0226.
Our Interpreting African American History and Culture Resource Kit is made up of AASLH conference sessions, webinars, History News, technical leaflets, and books that address topics such as working with descendant communities, celebrating Juneteenth, and more. Access the kit at tinyurl.com/AAHCKit.
February 2, 2026 at 9:41 PM
Our Interpreting African American History and Culture Resource Kit is made up of AASLH conference sessions, webinars, History News, technical leaflets, and books that address topics such as working with descendant communities, celebrating Juneteenth, and more. Access the kit at tinyurl.com/AAHCKit.
Registration is open for our one-day workshop "Reimagining the Historic House Museum" in Nashville, TN on July 10. Learn more and register at tinyurl.com/ye9c73jf.
February 2, 2026 at 6:04 PM
Registration is open for our one-day workshop "Reimagining the Historic House Museum" in Nashville, TN on July 10. Learn more and register at tinyurl.com/ye9c73jf.
The AASLH Council met on December 11. Council discussed a staff proposal to work more closely with Made By Us, voted to adopt a revised Statement of Standards and Ethics, and voted to adopt a revised criteria for the Award of Distinction. Read more at tinyurl.com/ytkwtv34.
February 1, 2026 at 7:57 PM
The AASLH Council met on December 11. Council discussed a staff proposal to work more closely with Made By Us, voted to adopt a revised Statement of Standards and Ethics, and voted to adopt a revised criteria for the Award of Distinction. Read more at tinyurl.com/ytkwtv34.
More than 950 people visited the South Carolina State Museum on a day when a person infected with measles was there. Officials encourage the visitors to monitor for symptoms.
Nearly 1,000 may have been exposed to measles at S.C. museum
More than 100 cases of measles has been added to the Upstate outbreak since Friday, with the outbreak possibly moving to the Midlands.
www.wrdw.com
February 1, 2026 at 2:44 PM
More than 950 people visited the South Carolina State Museum on a day when a person infected with measles was there. Officials encourage the visitors to monitor for symptoms.
In order to help AASLH's audience learn more about the work of conservators, Bethany Hawkins interviewed the American Institute of Conservation's Deputy Director Tiffani Emig. Her answers help unlock the mystery of what a conservator does and how they are vital to the work of museums of all sizes.
Demystifying Conservation: Interview with Tiffani Emig, AIC
Painting damaged by fire before and after conservation treatment.
By Tiffani Emig and Bethany L. Hawkins
Do you have a broken item in your collection? Is there a painting that is dark with years of grime and cigarette smoke? What about a textile with
aaslh.org
January 31, 2026 at 9:22 PM
In order to help AASLH's audience learn more about the work of conservators, Bethany Hawkins interviewed the American Institute of Conservation's Deputy Director Tiffani Emig. Her answers help unlock the mystery of what a conservator does and how they are vital to the work of museums of all sizes.
Now is the time to begin the nomination of your history project for the AASLH Leadership in History Awards. Nominations are due March 1. Awards are non-competitive, meaning your nomination will be considered on its own merits, not against other projects. Learn more at tinyurl.com/4vc4k49t.
January 31, 2026 at 1:03 AM
Now is the time to begin the nomination of your history project for the AASLH Leadership in History Awards. Nominations are due March 1. Awards are non-competitive, meaning your nomination will be considered on its own merits, not against other projects. Learn more at tinyurl.com/4vc4k49t.
The National Trust for Historic Preservation has six grant program currently available. Learn about all of their grant programs at savingplaces.org/grants.
Find Funding: Grant Programs from the National Trust | National Trust for Historic Preservation
Funding from the National Trust is awarded to nonprofit organizations and public agencies, and the majority of our funding is awarded for planning and education projects through our National Trust Preservation Funds grant program.
savingplaces.org
January 30, 2026 at 9:03 PM
The National Trust for Historic Preservation has six grant program currently available. Learn about all of their grant programs at savingplaces.org/grants.
Over the past few years, Made By Us has achieved incredible results in connecting younger generations to history and civics. Caroline Klibanoff, Executive Director, will share insight on serving youth audiences during a webinar on February 11. Register at tinyurl.com/2v7skrf8.
January 29, 2026 at 9:06 PM
Over the past few years, Made By Us has achieved incredible results in connecting younger generations to history and civics. Caroline Klibanoff, Executive Director, will share insight on serving youth audiences during a webinar on February 11. Register at tinyurl.com/2v7skrf8.
Last Friday, the Minnesota Historical Society's network of sites and museums and at least 10 other museums in Minneapolis and St. Paul closed as part of an economic blackout to protest the mobilization of ICE in the area.
Walker Art Center and Other Museums Close to Protest ICE in Minneapolis
The Walker Art Center and the Minneapolis Institute of Art are closed today in protest of the continued presence of ICE in Minneapolis.
news.artnet.com
January 29, 2026 at 4:32 PM
Last Friday, the Minnesota Historical Society's network of sites and museums and at least 10 other museums in Minneapolis and St. Paul closed as part of an economic blackout to protest the mobilization of ICE in the area.
If you're seeking inspiration for the Semiquincentennial, look no further than AASLH's 250th Anniversary Program Handbook. You can gain additional ideas and support for 250th planning by attending our webinar on February 4. Register at tinyurl.com/numkh5xr.
January 29, 2026 at 12:59 AM
If you're seeking inspiration for the Semiquincentennial, look no further than AASLH's 250th Anniversary Program Handbook. You can gain additional ideas and support for 250th planning by attending our webinar on February 4. Register at tinyurl.com/numkh5xr.
Jason Harpe, the Director of Cemetery Conservation at Richard Grubb & Associates, will show you the wide variety of resources that are available to document the history of a cemetery in our Documenting Historic Cemeteries webinar on January 29. Register at tinyurl.com/bddfdj66.
January 28, 2026 at 6:15 PM
Jason Harpe, the Director of Cemetery Conservation at Richard Grubb & Associates, will show you the wide variety of resources that are available to document the history of a cemetery in our Documenting Historic Cemeteries webinar on January 29. Register at tinyurl.com/bddfdj66.
Despite backing from both sides of the aisle in Congress, the support of President Trump, and millions of dollars raised, legislation to secure a site for the museum on the National Mall has yet to move forward.
Despite huge bipartisan support, Smithsonian women’s history museum remains stalled
Republican Rep. Nicole Malliotakis, who is leading legislation to provide a site for the museum, has raised concerns with Speaker Mike Johnson and President Donald Trump.
www.nbcnews.com
January 28, 2026 at 2:00 AM
Despite backing from both sides of the aisle in Congress, the support of President Trump, and millions of dollars raised, legislation to secure a site for the museum on the National Mall has yet to move forward.
The Trump administration had slavery exhibits removed from the President's House, part of Independence National Historic Park. AASLH strongly condemns this erasure and the White House's ongoing attacks on public access to whole and honest history. Read our statement at tinyurl.com/54wav6w6.
January 27, 2026 at 9:28 PM
The Trump administration had slavery exhibits removed from the President's House, part of Independence National Historic Park. AASLH strongly condemns this erasure and the White House's ongoing attacks on public access to whole and honest history. Read our statement at tinyurl.com/54wav6w6.
Given increasing extreme weather conditions and other calamities, disaster planning has never been more important. Attend this webinar tomorrow to gain a deeper understanding of the risks an organization should consider and how to mitigate them. Register at tinyurl.com/3vy8ac55.
January 27, 2026 at 7:00 PM
Given increasing extreme weather conditions and other calamities, disaster planning has never been more important. Attend this webinar tomorrow to gain a deeper understanding of the risks an organization should consider and how to mitigate them. Register at tinyurl.com/3vy8ac55.
This month's History Hour is tomorrow at 3 p.m. Share how your organization is planning to deal with disruptions and gain ideas from your peers on how to navigate through these challenges. While free, registration is required to participate. Register at tinyurl.com/HH0126.
January 26, 2026 at 7:45 PM
This month's History Hour is tomorrow at 3 p.m. Share how your organization is planning to deal with disruptions and gain ideas from your peers on how to navigate through these challenges. While free, registration is required to participate. Register at tinyurl.com/HH0126.
Learn the basics of accessible presentation design for the Deaf/Hard of Hearing and Blind/Low Vision communities and help yourself and your team be more effective by including everyone in your Zoom lectures, in-person talks, and PDF files at our webinar on Feb. 26. Register at tinyurl.com/cky55pk6.
January 26, 2026 at 4:08 PM
Learn the basics of accessible presentation design for the Deaf/Hard of Hearing and Blind/Low Vision communities and help yourself and your team be more effective by including everyone in your Zoom lectures, in-person talks, and PDF files at our webinar on Feb. 26. Register at tinyurl.com/cky55pk6.
Our Financial Structures and Strategy spring online course introduces the "big ideas" of organizational financial management: functional accounting, transparency, the annual reporting process, and the relationship between finance and mission. Register at tinyurl.com/mrc9xcjj.
January 25, 2026 at 9:43 PM
Our Financial Structures and Strategy spring online course introduces the "big ideas" of organizational financial management: functional accounting, transparency, the annual reporting process, and the relationship between finance and mission. Register at tinyurl.com/mrc9xcjj.
The bill would expand a law originally passed to keep Confederate monuments in place. It would prevent the addition of additional information that provides contexts next to monuments, allow private organizations to sue to block removal, and punish people who vandalize or move a monument.
Proposal to expand Heritage Act protections to all public memorials advances in SC Senate • SC Daily Gazette
SC Senate panel advanced a proposal expanding a law originally passed to keep Confederate monuments in place.
scdailygazette.com
January 25, 2026 at 2:24 PM
The bill would expand a law originally passed to keep Confederate monuments in place. It would prevent the addition of additional information that provides contexts next to monuments, allow private organizations to sue to block removal, and punish people who vandalize or move a monument.
Through AASLH's collaboration with Wiki Edu, 152 history practitioners have improved history content on Wikipedia. They have increased accessibility to historical knowledge, overcome the restraints of physical exhibitions, and filled gaps missing on Wikipedia.
“Wikipedia changed the game for all of us”
As one of the most famous figures of the American Revolution, it’s no surprise that Paul Revere’s English Wikipedia article has existed for nearly as long as the online encyclopedia itself. More s…
wikiedu.org
January 24, 2026 at 7:47 PM
Through AASLH's collaboration with Wiki Edu, 152 history practitioners have improved history content on Wikipedia. They have increased accessibility to historical knowledge, overcome the restraints of physical exhibitions, and filled gaps missing on Wikipedia.
Amid divisions on the Board of Regents over presidential influence over the Smithsonian, the institution has provided additional information requested by the White House.
Smithsonian hands over documents as its leader works to balance “principal and pragmatism” in facing White House demands | CNN Politics
As the Smithsonian faced a deadline to comply with the White House’s request for extensive documents about its museum exhibitions, Lonnie Bunch III, the historian who leads the institution, has been treading a careful line between maintaining independence and complying with the Trump administration’s demands.
www.cnn.com
January 24, 2026 at 2:21 PM
Amid divisions on the Board of Regents over presidential influence over the Smithsonian, the institution has provided additional information requested by the White House.
The Institute of Museum and Library Services is now accepting grant applications for eight museum programs and three library programs. The application deadline is March 13.
Notice of Funding Opportunities
www.imls.gov
January 23, 2026 at 9:32 PM
The Institute of Museum and Library Services is now accepting grant applications for eight museum programs and three library programs. The application deadline is March 13.
Attend this webinar on February 4 to learn about general approaches to commemoration and to the 250th in particular; the landscape of 250th planning at the local, state, and national levels; and conceptual and concrete tools available to help your organization participate. R... tinyurl.com/numkh5xr
January 23, 2026 at 6:55 PM
Attend this webinar on February 4 to learn about general approaches to commemoration and to the 250th in particular; the landscape of 250th planning at the local, state, and national levels; and conceptual and concrete tools available to help your organization participate. R... tinyurl.com/numkh5xr