2023 Mass History Conference

Since 2020, many history organizations have welcomed new audiences through online programming and aimed to make their programs more inclusive. However, people still perceive history museums as places where they will encounter systemic racism. In the 2021 survey “Culture and Community in a Time or Transformation,” 47% of surveyed Massachusetts residents responded that they perceived systemic racism to be present at history museums and historic sites; 83% of Black and African American MA residents gave the same response—the highest for any type of museum or cultural organization. How have history organizations addressed this perception at the local level? What new approaches, partnerships, or programs have history organizations undertaken? What challenges have they faced doing or communicating this work, in response to public perception? Panelists from Mass Humanities’ “Expand Massachusetts Stories” grantee communities will discuss their experiences and challenges, and encourage discussion of what history organizations need in order to make change.