Museums Association of Montana
MAM strives to strengthen all of Montana's Museums
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- Schedule at a Glance
Tuesday - March 18 |
12:00 - 4:00 | MAM Board of Directors Meeting |
Wednesday - March 19
9:00 - 12:00 |
Constructing Cavity Mounts Using Archival Materials (Workshop)
...Cavity mounts are an extremely useful tool for protecting small to medium, fragile and/or complex objects in museum collections. They have useful application for organizing these types of objects as well, making it easy to group and visualize specimens with multiple parts. This workshop will address the process for planning, constructing, and storing cavity mounts. Successful cavity mounts are made using archival materials, including ethafoam, soft wrap Tyvek, polyester batting, and sometimes acid free boxes. $30 Members / $40 Nonmembers
What's in Your Museum? (Workshop)
...A museum inventory makes it possible to find objects when you need them, assist others in conducting research, and to respond to inquiries. Inventories can also help you assess your needs, create physical and digital exhibits, and apply for grants to mitigate issues. In this hands-on workshop you will learn how to complete a basic inventory and how to use it. Please bring 10-25 documents and a laptop and let us help you get started. $30 Members / $40 Nonmembers |
10:00 - 12:00 |
The Hidden Museum: Behind the Scenes at MOR (Tour)
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$20 Members / $30 Nonmembers |
1:30 - 4:30 |
Cool Threads: Housing & Storing Textile Collections (Workshop)
...The variety of textile collections can be daunting to store. When does it get boxed? When can it hang? How do you protect it? Join the Western Heritage Center as they take you through their multi-year Textile Project to evaluate, rehouse, and store hundreds of unique textiles items. Joined by sewing professional, Ila Erikson, they will discuss housing techniques and storage considerations for museums of all sizes. $30 Members / $40 Nonmembers
Recording Paleontological Field Data: The Basics (Workshop)
...This workshop will serve as an introduction to basic data collection for paleontological fieldwork. Participants will be provided with helpful reference material and have the opportunity to try out different data collection equipment and methods. $30 Members / $40 Nonmembers |
2:00 - 3:00
2:00 - 4:00 |
Illuminating the Shadowed World of Bozeman's Historic Red-Light District (Exhibit Tour)
...The Extreme History Project invites you to explore a little known part of Bozeman’s history. The guided tour of this indoor exhibit examines the hidden layers of the city’s “restricted district” that thrived from 1870s until 1918. You’ll learn about the lives and stories of two district madams, Lizzie Woods and Libbie Hayes and how they navigated the legalities, social stigmas and moralities of their business. You’ll learn too about the harsh realities these women lived with including drug addiction, violence and early death due to overdose, disease or suicide. Adding a rich cultural dimension to the narrative is the Chinese community’s connection to the district. This exhibit promises you a thought-provoking journey, shedding a new light on those who lived and worked in the shadows of Bozeman’s red-light district. $15 Members / $20 Nonmembers
The Hidden Museum: Behind the Scenes at MOR (Tour)
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$20 Members / $30 Nonmembers |
5:00 - 5:30 |
First Timers Orientation
...How is the conference formatted? Where am I supposed to be and when? Who's in charge here, anyway? Learn the ins and outs of the MAM conference in this short meeting. |
5:30 - 9:30 | Progressive Reception
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Thursday - March 20 |
8:15 - 9:15 |
Welcome Plenary
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9:15 - 10:15 |
Events for You and Your Museum
...Events are hard and overwhelming, but they do not have to be. Learn how the Moss Mansion team has successfully planned and executed dozens of events, and how to create an event that meets your museum's needs. Walk away with tools and ideas to help keep your museum relevant to your community.
Lessons learned from Archives Theft at the Montana Historical Society
...Join Sean Dudley, FBI Art Crime Team, and Roberta Gebhardt, Library & Archives Manager at the Montana Historical Society as they walk through the theft of documents from MTHS, the sale of those documents on eBay, and the subsequent investigation and ultimate conviction and sentencing of Brian D'Ambrosio for this crime.
Roots & Wings: A Yellowstone Story
...After a tragic childhood, Ida C. Eagle went on to be among the founders of West Yellowstone. An entrepreneur, mother of 10, & determined pioneer woman, Ida never would have dreamed that one day she would be a "cover girl" on Elizabeth Watry's book "Women in Wonderland"! In this living history presentation, Kendra Eagle Owen portrays her grandmother, featuring experiences & adventures in Montana during the early 20th Century. Kendra also steps out of character to share ways you can identify "treasures" to spark interest & imagination, bringing history to life in your community. |
10:30 - 11:30 |
Introduction to NAGPRA and Montana Coda Annotated 22-3-8 and 22-3-9
...Even though both NAGPRA and Montana's state laws regarding human remains, burial sites, and funerary objects have been on the books for decades, there are still many museums that are not in compliance and are confused on how to comply with these laws. As times have changed, it has become essential for museums to become professionally and ethically responsible when it comes to understanding the cultural significance of items in their collections and recognizing when they should be returned to the people that ascribe them significance. This session will help attendees understand the basic components of both NAGPRA and Montana state laws including what the laws require of museums, what types of items are covered by the laws, and what resources are available for museums when questions arise.
The Road to Cretaceous Crossroads: Reimagining Paleontology Exhibitions at Museum of the Rockies
...Paleontological discoveries in Montana have shaped the world's view of dinosaur growth and behavior. The upcoming Cretaceous Crossroads exhibit at Museum of the Rockies will refit two exhibit halls to not only display many important specimens in the MOR collections, but also to expand methods of engaging museum visitors with these discoveries. Mounted specimens will be combined with augmented reality, A/V interactives, sensory stations, and more to make the exhibit more accessible to a wider array of museum visitors.
Family-Friendly Museums: How to Start or Expand Programming for Families and Young Children
...Do you want to expand your offerings of museum programming focused on families or young children? Join us in this session as we share our insights about our experiences at Museum of the Rockies over the last few years, including our successes and lessons learned along the way. Participants will engage with materials we use for our family days or early learning classes. Example lesson plans and other useful resources will also be provided. |
12:00 - 2:00 | Lunch, Business Meeting, Keynote |
2:30 - 3:30 |
Master Planning: Envisioning your Museum's Future
...A master plan is a long-term vision for the future development of a museum site and its buildings. This panel discussion explores how planning considers the possibilities and challenges of your institution, culminating in a document to guide future growth. Participants will hear about Museum of the Rockies' recent process and potential plans from a variety of perspectives (Board, administration, education, exhibits, and consultants).
Museum on Main Street Roundtable Discussion with Humanities Montana
...Join Humanities Montana for a roundtable discussion on the Smithsonian Institution's Museums on Main Street (MoMS) program. In this information and listening session, learn more about the current programs and grants offerings available to Montana museums and connect with Humanities Montana to consider new statewide programming. Make your voice heard if you would like to see the MoMS program in Montana!
Decades of Dinosaur Data: Increasing Digital Access to the Paleontology Collections at Museum of the Rockies
...Museum of the Rockies (MOR) houses one of the largest collections of North American dinosaurs on Earth. In this session, members of the MOR Paleontology Department will discuss the history of this extensive collection, the ways specimens and their associated data are stored and tracked, and current efforts to increase digital accessibility to the collection. |
4:00 - 5:00 |
A Powerful Legacy: Remembering Kevin Kooistra
...The museum community lost a treasured friend and colleague in December. This session is dedicated to the memory of Kevin Kooistra (1961-2024) and his lasting impact across Montana. |
5:00 | Happy Hour, Awards Banquet, Silent & Live Auction |
Friday - March 21 |
8:30 - 9:30 |
Building Safety in Fragile Times: Understanding Fear & Anxiety (Part 1)
...Anxiety can have destructive effects on curiosity and learning. In these times of rapid change, increasing our understanding of these topics is imperative if we want to continue to catalyze open-mindedness and growth. In the first hour of this 2-part session, we'll take a look at evidence-based strategies for reducing anxiety and creating psychological safety, starting with a guided breathing exercise and discussion of social impact to frame the subjects of health & well-being within the museum field.
Collecting Meaningful Oral Histories
...Collecting oral histories can be a difficult, time consuming project. Who do you talk to? How do you set it up? And what's with all these forms!? Lauren Hunley walks you through the Western Heritage Center process and how to collect meaningful oral histories for your institution.
25 Ways Your Museum Can Commemorate 250 Years since the Declaration of Independence
...America 250 is a national effort to commemorate the semiquincentennial of the Declaration of Independence. Each state has its own commission working to create programs and generate public interest in this American anniversary. Molly Stockdale, Vice Chair of the Montana250 Commission, offers 25 ways your organization can participate, from displaying a traveling exhibit to hosting a red, white, and brew pint night to honoring veterans in your community. Bring your own ideas to share! |
9:45 - 10:45 |
Building Safety in Fragile Times: Understanding Fear & Anxiety (Part 2)
...Fear and anxiety can have destructive effects on curiosity and learning. In the second hour of this 2-part session, participants engage in a solo creative activity, learn ways to reduce anxiety and manage fears, then get together in small groups to apply what they have learned so far in their work as museum professionals.
Managing Photograph Archives: Understanding Use, Copyright, and All That Fun Stuff
...What good is preserving historical materials if they are not used by the broadest audience possible? But how can you make items like historical photographs easily available without “giving away the farm”? Veteran MTHS photograph archivist Jeff Malcomson will share his insights into managing photograph collections with an emphasis on their use, including topics like making photos available in a digital format, understanding copyright issues and the public domain, and managing commercial uses of your material. |
10:50 - 12:00 1:00 - 2:00 |
Closing Plenary - Updates from the Montana Historical Society
...Join the Director of the Montana Historical Society to learn about recent programs and projects at the organization, including an update on the opening of the Montana Heritage Center.
Illuminating the Shadowed World of Bozeman's Historic Red-Light District (Exhibit Tour)
...The Extreme History Project invites you to explore a little known part of Bozeman’s history. The guided tour of this indoor exhibit examines the hidden layers of the city’s “restricted district” that thrived from 1870s until 1918. You’ll learn about the lives and stories of two district madams, Lizzie Woods and Libbie Hayes and how they navigated the legalities, social stigmas and moralities of their business. You’ll learn too about the harsh realities these women lived with including drug addiction, violence and early death due to overdose, disease or suicide. Adding a rich cultural dimension to the narrative is the Chinese community’s connection to the district. This exhibit promises you a thought-provoking journey, shedding a new light on those who lived and worked in the shadows of Bozeman’s red-light district. $15 Members / $20 Nonmembers |
Thank you to our Corporate Members!
We are funded in part by coal severance taxes paid based upon coal mined in Montana and deposited in Montana's cultural and aesthetic projects trust fund.
