Member Profile: Maryland Historical Society
Founded in 1844, the Maryland Historical Society (MdHS) is the state’s oldest continuously operating cultural institution. In keeping with the founders’ commitment to preserve the remnants of Maryland’s past, MdHS remains the premier institution for state history. With over 350,000 objects and seven million books and documents, this institution now serves upward of 100,000 people through its museum, library, press, and educational programs.
In 2016, MdHS completed the strategic planning process, establishing an updated mission and vision to educate people of all ages about the American experience through the rich history of Maryland using the society’s collections and to preserve important objects and archival materials from prehistoric Maryland to the present-day. The Maryland Historical Society aims to become the state’s official center for Maryland history by 2026, focused on educating the public through its vast and unique museum and library collections. It will do so within the context of changing demographics and social values, using technology to connect the story-rich collections with the general public.
One of the goals in the strategic plan is to improve administrative policies and procedures. The institution recently amended its bylaws, the first comprehensive revision in more than 20 years. Inherent in the adoption of the strategic plan was aligning the old bylaws with the new objectives to ensure efficiency. The new bylaws also include provisions that are consistent with current nonprofit cultural institutions best practices.
Another primary strategic plan objective is to achieve statewide relevancy. MdHS has taken steps to become more accessible by developing an exhibition opening in October 2017 with a contemporary painter titled, Structure and Perspective: David Brewster Explores Maryland’s Social Landscape. Brewster’s work addresses topics such as gender, race, and sexuality. The society will juxtapose his works with objects from the vast MdHS collections, providing historical contextualization. The goal of this exhibition and its related programming is to generate conversations within the community. The exhibition will also be accompanied by new technology, including interactive iPads peppered throughout the gallery offering visitors a chance to interpret objects in myriad ways. In November 2017, MdHS will open a complementary exhibition featuring the work of late photojournalist and fine art photographer, Joseph Kohl. His subjects range from those in local government to those living on the fringes of society. His work represents all walks of life in the community. In addition to the onsite component, MdHS is organizing a satellite exhibition of the Joseph Kohl photographs to expand its reach beyond the walls of its campus.
For more information, visit www.mdhs.org.
In 2016, MdHS completed the strategic planning process, establishing an updated mission and vision to educate people of all ages about the American experience through the rich history of Maryland using the society’s collections and to preserve important objects and archival materials from prehistoric Maryland to the present-day. The Maryland Historical Society aims to become the state’s official center for Maryland history by 2026, focused on educating the public through its vast and unique museum and library collections. It will do so within the context of changing demographics and social values, using technology to connect the story-rich collections with the general public.
One of the goals in the strategic plan is to improve administrative policies and procedures. The institution recently amended its bylaws, the first comprehensive revision in more than 20 years. Inherent in the adoption of the strategic plan was aligning the old bylaws with the new objectives to ensure efficiency. The new bylaws also include provisions that are consistent with current nonprofit cultural institutions best practices.
Another primary strategic plan objective is to achieve statewide relevancy. MdHS has taken steps to become more accessible by developing an exhibition opening in October 2017 with a contemporary painter titled, Structure and Perspective: David Brewster Explores Maryland’s Social Landscape. Brewster’s work addresses topics such as gender, race, and sexuality. The society will juxtapose his works with objects from the vast MdHS collections, providing historical contextualization. The goal of this exhibition and its related programming is to generate conversations within the community. The exhibition will also be accompanied by new technology, including interactive iPads peppered throughout the gallery offering visitors a chance to interpret objects in myriad ways. In November 2017, MdHS will open a complementary exhibition featuring the work of late photojournalist and fine art photographer, Joseph Kohl. His subjects range from those in local government to those living on the fringes of society. His work represents all walks of life in the community. In addition to the onsite component, MdHS is organizing a satellite exhibition of the Joseph Kohl photographs to expand its reach beyond the walls of its campus.
For more information, visit www.mdhs.org.
