The MA SHRaB conference held on June 17, 2013, at Holyoke Community College aimed to enhance communication and collaboration among historical societies and museums in the Pioneer Valley while promoting public awareness of local history. The event featured workshops, excursions, and special projects focusing on regional history, as well as the introduction of new technologies to support these initiatives. Collaborations included notable organizations and funding from various foundations to support history-related projects.

1. MA SHRAB Conference
June 17, 2013
Holyoke Community College

3.  To promote and provide effective
communication and collaboration among the
historical societies, sites, and museums of the
Pioneer Valley and to foster a public
appreciation for, and awareness of, such
repositories of history.

5.  Identify & List Historical Societies, Sites, &
Museums
 "Passport to Pioneer Valley History"

6.  Workshops & Gatherings:
 “Preservation Issues for Small Museums”
 “Finding Funds in Troubled Times”
 “A Technology Sampler”
 “Looking for Money in All the Right Places”
 Basic Web Design
 “Compelling Exhibits on a Budget”

7.  Pioneer Valley History Fair
 Bus Trips & Excursions

8.  Annual Themes:
 Vacationing in the Valley (2009)
 Folk Art (2010)
 Remarkable Women of the Pioneer Valley (2011)
 Disasters (2012)
 Connecticut River & Its Tributaries (2013)

9.  Speaker Series
 Special Projects on Topics of Regional
Importance:
 Pioneer Valley & the California Gold Rush
 “East Meets Western Mass.” – China’s Historical
Connection to the Pioneer Valley
 Research Finding Aids Project

10.  Encouraging the Use of New Technologies:
 Email Notices of History-Related Events
 Active Websites, including:
▪ Listing of Historical Societies, Museums, & Sites
▪ Local History Blog
▪ Events Calendar
▪ Online Marketplace
▪ Resources Listing & Links

11.  Collaborations With:
 Historic Deerfield
 Pocumtuck Valley Memorial Association
 Springfield Museums
 MA Dept. of Conservation & Recreation

12. Projects Have Been Funded By:
 MassHumanities,
 National Endowment for the Humanities
 Community Foundation of Western Mass.

13.  Visit us at:
www.pioneervalleyhistorynetwork.org
 Thank You!