Virtual Workshops Coming Soon!
The Kaleidoscope Heritage Focus team, energized by feedback from their presentation at the Small Museum Association conference, plans to launch virtual workshops tailored to small museums and solo practitioners. These accessible sessions aim to provide practical solutions for challenges in the museum sector, enhancing professional development without travel constraints.
SMA 2026
The Small Museum Association conference in York, PA, is Kaleidoscope Heritage Focus’s first presentation in 2026. “Shifting Volunteer Expectations” addresses how small museums are adapting to changing volunteer roles, emphasizing their relationships over traditional volunteer management systems. The presentations aim to empower these institutions facing unique challenges.
Dear Small Museums,
Dear Small Museums, You never take up too much space, but you hold so much of it. You live in former homes, barns, depots, storefronts, and borrowed rooms, and somehow turn them into places where memory feels safe. You remember what others overlook…
AASLH-NCPH 2026
Kaleidoscope Heritage Focus will present “Rebel Strategies for Small Museums” at the AASLH–NCPH conference in September 2026. This session emphasizes how small museums can thrive amid constraints by embracing innovation and redesigning roles. It aims to highlight the unique advantages these institutions possess, transforming scarcity into opportunity through courageous leadership.
TAM Session 2026
The Texas Association of Museums 2026 has accepted multiple high-scoring session proposals. Notably, two top-rated ideas will be combined into a single 60-minute session, reflecting the Kaleidoscope Heritage Focus’s commitment to practicality and real-world application. The excitement about these developments is palpable.
THC Sessions – 2026
Dr. Jenn and LaShell will present two key sessions at the Texas Historical Commission on April 9-10, 2026, addressing evolving volunteerism and organizational readiness. These sessions focus on adapting volunteer models for modern needs and enhancing institutional infrastructure to prepare for challenges, ensuring sustainability in small museums and heritage organizations.
#KHFKudos to Volunteer Linda
#KHFKudos to volunteer Linda at the Cincinnati Museum Center! With warmth and confidence, she invited us to a free Union Station tour—an offering we hadn’t even seen online. Her initiative and knowledge created a memorable experience, showcasing the power of volunteers in shaping visitor engagement and museum connections.
#KHFKudos #CincinnatiMuseumCenter #MuseumVolunteers #VisitorExperience #AASLH2025 #UnionStation #ArtDeco…
#KHFKudos to American Sign Museum
#KHFKudos to the American Sign Museum! Their commitment to accessibility and transparency shines—both online and onsite. From multilingual guides and braille materials to open-view workspaces and creative touches like selling “retired lightbulbs” in the gift shop, the museum seamlessly blends inclusivity, innovation, and delight into every visitor experience.
#KHFKudos #AmericanSignMuseum #MuseumAccessibility #InclusiveMuseums #AASLH2025 #MuseumInnovation #AccessibilityInAction…
Walls to Words
Gratitude to attendees to Dr. Jenn’s poster session at the AASLH Conference and NCPH Poster Session. I appreciate those who participated in informal research incentivized by Halloween candy. Please view the slide show for the results.
Preservation Webinar
Join me for a free webinar on August 6 at 11 AM CST with the Texas Historical Commission. We’ll discuss the collaboration between County Liaisons and County Historical Commissions, insights from my 2024 surveys, and the impact on local preservation efforts. Ideal for those interested in county-level preservation work.
Kaleidoscope HF 