As caretakers of the Bush House Museum, the Salem Art Association has a special responsibility to look closely at the historical record and, when evidence of oppression or racism comes to light, to acknowledge wrongdoings in an honest and upfront manner. And yet, simply condemning past racism is not enough. SAA believes in the power of art to not only educate, entertain, delight, and dazzle but to simultaneously interrogate, stimulate, and challenge. With these goals in mind, their team is re-imagining and re-inventing their programming and curatorial work, particularly as it relates to the intersection of contemporary art and historical sites. In this webinar, they will share some of the history surrounding this house and then discuss our process for making change, including issues such as defining community, sharing power, and working with artists.

In New York State, New York State Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation invested $20 million for the renovation of Philipse Manor State Historic Site buildings, grounds, and a new permanent exhibition with the goal of securing the structure and reinterpreting the Manor’s history to help visitors better understand the complex relationships that took place at the Manor from its construction during the Dutch Colonial period to the American Revolution and beyond.

The statements and opinions expressed by panelists, hosts, attendees, or other participants of this event are their own and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of, nor are endorsed by, the American Alliance of Museums.