Video Netcast: Folklorist Dale Jarvis talks about storytelling on the social web

In this edition of the Voices of the Past Netcast, we’ll meet Dale Jarvis. Dale is a folklorist and storyteller who is pioneering ways to share his art with new generations using online media. He experiments with traditional storytelling methods using social tools like Twitter, Facebook, podcasts and even Second Life. He’ll talk about the timelessness of storytelling and how you can still communicate the power of place through the web.

Podcast: Rachel Penniman on giving voice to emerging conservators

When it comes to the protection of cultural resources for the long haul, conservators are on the front lines: providing hands-on TLC, whether it’s in a museum or at the scene of a natural disaster. Now, a new group has formed to provide a support network for young conservators and newcomers to the field. Rachel Penniman is the chair of the Emerging Conservation Professionals Network. In this podcast, she discusses how the group is using the social web to give a voice to the next generation of heritage caretakers.

Two days with a power blogger: learning the art of expression, connection and influence

By Bethany Frank

Last week, power blogger Lorelle VanFossen came to the National Park Service office where I intern and taught a day-and-a-half workshop on the art of blogging and its uses in the heritage field. Lorelle stood in front of us and asked, “what do you say when someone says they have a blog?” Without missing a beat, one participant responded, “ask if there is a cure.”

That sudden burst of laughter broke the ice as we all discussed our thoughts on how blogging could potentially help the organization. Some responded with, “I don’t know; I am here to learn the answer” or “Because my boss told me to.”

But then we started discussing how blogging could help us reach a wider audience.

Heritage DIY: How to clean cemetery monuments

By Jason Church

Cemetery care and maintenance is undergoing a surge in popularity that hasn’t been seen since the Victorian era. It’s little wonder. Cemetery gravemarkers are at once memorials to those we’ve loved and pieces of art. Caring for them provides a connection to a world before the internet absorbed all of our attention. Cleaning these monuments properly is the best thing one can do to ensure that they will last for generations to come. And it’s easily done too!

Judge urges Nov. 7 resolution in Gettysburg Cyclorama dispute

According to the Gettysburg Times, Judge Alan Kay has told the Recent Past Preservation Network and National Park Service officials to discuss a possible relocation agreement for the old Gettysburg Clyclorama. The park planned to demolish the building in mid-December.

Heritage resources define community, even in their loss

By Jeff Guin
It’s in times of hardship that a community’s character is revealed. The destruction of the Kate Chopin House by fire this past Wednesday was a harsh test of character for the heritage community in Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana–where I was born, and live still.

NY Times: Conservation of Reinhardt painting is "hit and miss"

The New York Times reports about the dilemmas faced by Guggenheim conservators trying to restore one of Ad Reinhardt’s “Black” paintings. Using x-ray and laser techniques, the conservators were tasked with removing acrylic paint that had been used in the past to cover damage to the fragile oil painting.

8/08 NPS Heritage News Rundown

The National Park Service’s Heritage News for August 2008 explores topics including the addition of World Heritage Sites, new National Register listings and recommendations for Historic Landmark designations.

Preservation Today Netcast: Iowa Floods, Blogging Museums, Safety on the Net

Welcome to the first edition of the Voices of the Past netcast. If you’re looking to view the netcast in its entireity, just click “read more” and then click on the “Voices of the Past” icon. You will also find a summary of topics covered in the August 2008 episode of the Voices of the Past netcast as well as relevant links on the web.

Affects of Real Estate Slump on Conservation

The real estate slump that has been plaguing most of the nation has actually been a positive for conservationists. Environmental and preservation groups are getting great deals on land with scenic and historic value, whereas before they couldn’t even compete with developers for the land.
The Trust for Public Land has obtained almost 1,000 acres of [...]