Citigroup now acknowledges that its predecessor banks may have indirectly profited from slavery and the trans-Atlantic slave trade. Connections with slavery include a 19th century bank president who promoted the Cuban sugar trade, the relationship between the Farmers’ Loan and Trust Company, one of Citigroup’s predecessor banks, and Alabama cotton planters, and Lehman Brothers, which merged with Citibank in 1998 and in the 1850s traded in cotton. [Read more…] about Citigroup Acknowledges it ‘Indirectly’ Profited from Slavery – Maybe
Advocacy
A National Snapshot of United States Museums
The American Alliance of Museums (AAM) has released findings from the latest iteration of an annual survey assessing the current state of museums in the United States. Over 300 museum directors responded to this AAM survey on their organizations’ behalf, representing a broad cross-section of the field in geography, size, and discipline. [Read more…] about A National Snapshot of United States Museums
Archival Advocates Headed to Capitol Hill July 25th
Archival advocates from across the country are assembling to the second “Archives on the Hill” event in Washington, DC. This day of advocacy with legislative policymakers coincides with the Society of American Archivist 2023 Annual Meeting. [Read more…] about Archival Advocates Headed to Capitol Hill July 25th
Report: Visits to History Organizations Rising Dramatically
The Public History Research Lab of the American Association for State and Local History (AASLH) has issued it’s National Visitation Report. This report is the only national effort to analyze trends in visitation at history organizations of all types and sizes, all across the United States. [Read more…] about Report: Visits to History Organizations Rising Dramatically
First Vote: A Letter from MANY’s Erika Sanger
I don’t remember who was on the ballot the first time I voted, but I remember the challenge of finding my polling place – a community meeting room in the basement of an apartment building – on a rainy night in New York City.
The room was lit with flickering fluorescent bulbs and the floor was covered with gray linoleum tile. It took the poll volunteer who sat on a metal folding chair behind a metal folding table a long time to find me in a very large register. [Read more…] about First Vote: A Letter from MANY’s Erika Sanger
Advocates: Pass The Unmarked Burial Site Protection Act
The Unmarked Burial Site Protection Act is back on the New York State legislative agenda in 2023.
Advocates for the measure are urging readers to contact their state legislators to act swiftly to pass the New York State Unmarked Burial Site Protection Act (2023-S630) and send it to the Governor before the legislative session ends in June. [Read more…] about Advocates: Pass The Unmarked Burial Site Protection Act
NYC Preservationists, Officials Protest Demolition of Historic Landmarks
On Thursday, December 15th, the New York City Historic Districts Council (HDC) and their community partners were joined by elected officials and concerned members of the public for a press conference at City Hall, condemning City agencies for approving a raft of demolitions of landmarked buildings across New York City. [Read more…] about NYC Preservationists, Officials Protest Demolition of Historic Landmarks
Museums Call For Advocacy For COVID-19 Relief
The Museum Association of New York is working with the American Alliance of Museums and other museum associations to make the case for museums in this time of crisis. New York State’s museums contribute $5.37 billion to the NYS economy and support over 61,000 jobs.
Museums of all sizes and disciplines are closed. Everyone will experience extensive loss of earned income from restricted attendance and canceled events. Museum advocates say some museums have laid off their entire staffs and at least one in the Capital Region has closed permanently. [Read more…] about Museums Call For Advocacy For COVID-19 Relief
Kinderhook Historian Named 2020 Woman of History
Historian and preservationist Ruth Piwonka is this year’s recipient of the Martha Washington Woman of History Award. This award is given by Washington’s Headquarters State Historic Site each year to a woman who has made a contribution to the history of the Hudson Valley through education, promotion, or preservation. The honor was inspired by Martha Washington, who resided in the Hudson Valley with her husband, General George Washington, during the last days of the Revolutionary War. [Read more…] about Kinderhook Historian Named 2020 Woman of History
National Historic Preservation Advocacy Week 2020
National Historic Preservation Advocacy Week is set to return March 9-12 at the Kimpton Hotel Palomar in Washington, DC. This is an annual opportunity to have a mass impact on policy makers in Washington in support of important historic preservation programs and sound preservation policy.
Preservation Action and the National Conference State Historic Preservation Officers organize the industry’s Advocacy Week each year, bringing over 250 preservationists to Washington, DC to promote sound federal preservation policy and programs. [Read more…] about National Historic Preservation Advocacy Week 2020