For decades the American Association for State and Local History (AASLH) has been known as the home of excellent and affordable workshops. This summer, AASLH strengthens that reputation with a new workshop series constructed by a team of national leaders in the history field. One offering in that series, the Historic House Museum Issues & Operations workshop will be held at the Homestead Museum in Los Angeles, California, July 13-15, 2000.

George McDaniel, director of Drayton Hall, and Max van, assistant director of the Homestead Museum, will serve as workshop faculty. Together, they will take participants through multiple discussions and interactive activities that explore the vast variety of issues facing historic house museum administrators. From "big picture" discussions on the value and role of historic house museums to developing successful membership programs to developing furnishings plans to collections care, the workshop will assist participants in improving or developing their skills in managing the historic house museum.

Other workshops in the series include the Leadership Institute for History Organizations, Collections Management and Practices, and Interpretation Issues and Strategies. more

In addition to the lead faculty, each workshop has a committee of exceptional history professionals to develop these outstanding workshops. Members of the committees bring to the curriculums many years of experience leading historical organizations around the country. They are accomplished and practiced in their respective fields, successful teachers, authors, and creative thinkers who break new ground in the development and redesign of new and existing history organizations. Each team includes individuals who are consistently sought after for their abilities to develop quality programming.

This new series of workshops will be offered twice a year at leading history organizations, museums, and historic sites around the country. The workshops address subjects in a "hands-on" environment giving participants practical guidance that builds on existing skills and develops new skills. Registration cost of $185 per AASLH member includes a notebook of reference materials along with two lunches.

For more information about AASLH workshops or to register, visit the AASLH web site, www.aaslh.org, or contact Lauren Batte by phone: 615-320-3203; fax: 615-327-9013; or e-mail: batte@aaslh.org.