Specialized
An operating historical railroad museum running on 11 miles of track across the Des Moines River Valley. Home to "The Iowan", the last commercially produced steam locomotive in the world
History
Displays, dioramas and collections that preserve the flavor and excitement of Boone County History. View items relating the Kate Shelley, coal mining, military and natural history.
Park
This restored depot honors 15 year-old Kate Shelley, who saved a passenger train from disaster in 1881. A Rock Island passenger car contains a theater where Kate's story is told in video presentation.
The Whole Story Is The Meanin
“For the fiction writer himself the whole story is the meaning, because it is an experience, not an abstraction.”― Flannery O'Connor, Mystery and Manners: Occasional Pros
Join us in Milledgeville, Georgia, for the annual Georgia Association of Museums conference as we explore the profound wisdom of Milledgeville author Flannery O'Connor’s words. In a world where narratives intersect and perspectives diverge, this theme invites proposals that delve into the essence of storytelling within museums and cultural institutions. Our work in the museum field requires us to look at stories from as many angles and perspectives as possible so that we might do our best to tell the “whole story.
Through thought-provoking discussions, interactive workshops, and engaging presentations, we will uncover the layers of meaning embedded within every artifact, exhibition, and historical account. Just as O’Connor masterfully crafted narratives that resonate with universal truths, museums hold the power to illuminate the whole story behind many objects, artworks, and cultural phenomena
We will examine how museums can embrace inclusivity, diversity, and authenticity in their storytelling practices. By acknowledging multiple perspectives and amplifying marginalized voices, we can enrich our understanding of the past and present, fostering empathy and connection within our communities.
CAM is hard at work planning for the 2025 conference, set to take place from February 18–22, 2025 in San Francisco. We look forward to highlighting best practices and innovative ideas from California's museum community
The California Association of Museums is excited to continue offering in-person programming for 2025. We will not be requiring proof of COVID vaccination/s, but highly encourage vaccination and boosters. For the health and safety of our colleagues, masks are also encouraged (but not required). Capacity and spaces will be thoughtfully considered in the planning of this event.
For more information, please email programs@calmuseums.org.
2025 Conference Theme: Looking Back to the Future For the past several years, many museums have been deeply involved in planning programs and events to observe the 250th birthday of the United States of America. While this is certainly an occasion to celebrate, this anniversary also forces us as a society to reckon with ongoing inequities and challenges within the US that go back to its inception. As museums ask their audiences to look to the past to understand the present and shape a better future, perhaps now is a good moment in time for Virginia’s museum community to take pause and look back at its own history. We are excited to see you in Blacksburg in March 2025 as we take a moment in our hectic schedules to take pause and visit our diverse pasts. Let’s uncover and share our histories to build a more resilient Virginia museum community.
Theme: Bridging the Past and Futur
CELEBRATING 50 YEARS OF THE TEXAS ASSOCIATION OF MUSEUM
The Texas Association of Museums (TAM) is excited to host our 2025 Annual Conference in Austin from April 6th - 9th. Inspired by the city’s iconic bridges, the theme of TAM 2025 is “Bridging the Past & Future,” and we will gather to commemorate our rich 50 year history and look to the future
The Texas Association of Museums (TAM) Annual Meeting has been the cornerstone of Texas' museum community for fifty years. As the largest gathering of museum professionals in the state, this premier event offers a unique opportunity to connect with a vibrant and ever-expanding audience of museum enthusiasts
Daytime Programming for the TAM Annual Meeting will be held at the AT&T Conference Center. Evening Receptions are graciously hosted by local cultural institutions: LBJ Presidential Library, Bullock Texas State History Museum, Texas Science & Natural History Museum, and The Contemporary Austin.
For more information, please call 817-332-1177.
Beginning in 2025, the OMA annual conference will be held in Spring rather than Fall
The conference this year is all about trying new things. We are hoping to organize the conference into the following four tracks: Collections Care, Leadership, Emergency Preparedness, and Tourism
Check our website for more details in early 2025
The OMA newsletter is emailed every month with updates on OMA events, museum news, other events, trainings, jobs, grants and more for the museum community in Oregon.
For more information, please email connect@oregonmuseums.org.