[MassHistPres] Seeking questions to ask in surveying members and friends of the Medfield Historical Society

[Lee Wright]

David’s question brings to mind, ultimately, the question of how to engage more people in history and historic preservation.  This is an important topic, and I'm interested to hear what others have to say.  The timing is also notable.  There was research reported earlier today about the decline in visits to historic sites: http://humanitiesindicators.org/content/indicatordoc.aspx?i=101 <http://humanitiesindicators.org/content/indicatordoc.aspx?i=101>.  

Here’s one quote from the research: 

 With each birth cohort, Americans of all ages have been less likely to visit historic sites. For example, those born from 1938 to 1947 had a 45% likelihood of having visited a historic site in the previous 12 months when they were ages 35–44, while those who were born in the 1968–1977 period had only a 23% likelihood of having visited a historic site when they were the same age.

We’ve probably all seen this to some degree.  The data just underscore the magnitude of the challenge. 

Regarding what can be done, surveys are a fine idea, and the AASLH has a program called StEPS http://tools.aaslh.org/steps/ <http://tools.aaslh.org/steps/> that may be worth investigating.  (It does come with a price tag that is beyond the budget of our local all-volunteer historical society in Marlborough.)

In terms of changes to programming or communications, I think, generally, folks have a difficult time articulating something new or different.  (There’s the famous Henry Ford quote, “If I had asked people what they wanted, they would have said faster horses.”)  You might find good ideas in what others small history organizations, in our area and others, have done.  The AASLH site (http://www.aaslh.org/ <http://www.aaslh.org/>) has case studies, and I’ve compiled case studies and other resources at The History List (TheHistoryList.com/resources).

In the fall of 2009 our historical society held what we called an “Idea Exachange” and it was attended by members of several smaller historical societies throughout New England.  Each organization presented one innovative idea. Perhaps it’s time for another.

—  Lee Wright  |  The Marlborough Historical Society  |  The Marlborough Historical Commission  |  The History List  |  History Camp


> On Feb 23, 2016, at 4:11 PM, David Temple <davidftemple at yahoo.com> wrote:
> 
> At last night’s board meeting, we decided to conduct a survey whose answers might help us broaden the reach and appeal of the Medfield Historical Society and help draw in more  members and volunteers, especially younger people.
> 
> Perhaps others on MassHistPres have conducted surveys for similar purposes. If you’ve done one in the not-too-distant past, would you share the questions – and if possible, a summary of the answers you got?  And any wisdom you derived from the experience?
> 
> As always, I will share responses I get with this group.
>  
> In your reply, please include my original message. 
> 
> David F. Temple 
> President, Medfield Historical Society
> Co-chair, Medfield Historical Commission
> 300 South Street 
> Medfield, MA 02052 
> 508-359-2915 
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