Maryland Humanities

How does civic learning strengthen democracy? ??? Find out in a virtual community conversation featuring Representative Jamie Raskin; Howard County Public School System Teacher Jessica Murphy; Prince George's County Public Schools student Roxy; and Christopher Newport University student Jillian. ?? The panel follows a screening of clips from PBS Retro Report's Citizen Nation, where high school students from different backgrounds compete in a civics competition and grapple with critical questions about democracy. Maryland Public Television— one of our partners — and Maryland Civic Education Coalition — one of our SHINE Grantees — host the event together for Civic Learning Week. Register here: https://lnkd.in/eZY7bXGC

Don’t miss your chance to learn something new! ?? You have less than a month to be part of Maryland students’ educational journey. ?? Judges from past years say they love learning from students across the state when they volunteer to judge.? ? The deadline to sign up as a Maryland History Day judge is March 31. Register today: tinyurl.com/MHDJudges

The preservation of historical sites and sources, literary programming, social studies education, literacy and reading comprehension, access to books, professional development for teachers and museum professionals, as well as grant funding for smaller humanities nonprofits are just some of the things we at Maryland Humanities are proud to do everyday. As one of the nonprofit state affiliates of the National Endowment for the Humanities we advocate for the work of the humanities not just in Annapolis with our state representatives, but also in Washington D.C. with our national representatives. As part of #HumanitiesonTheHill Lindsey Baker and Claudia M. Allen had the opportunity to meet with several of Maryland’s elected representatives in the House and the Senate. We are so grateful to all of the amazing staff members who took the time to talk with us, learn more about our work, and who were willing to continue supporting us and the NEH. A special thank you to Senator Chris Van Hollen for taking time out of his busy schedule to speak with us directly. Let’s continue advocating for the humanities locally and nationally!

Given potential changes at both the state and federal levels, many cultural organizations are thinking about the new economic landscape. ?? Through our Regional Humanities Networks, we’re partnering with Al from Signal Financial Federal Credit Union and Derrick from M&T Bank. They’ll share opportunities and options that nonprofits have at this moment. ?? We hope to catch you March 13 (next week) at 2:00 p.m. over Zoom! ?? The workshop is free. ?? To register, email Rob.

Our One Maryland One Book 2025 Selection is (?? drumroll please...) ?? ?? KIN: ROOTED IN HOPE by Carole Boston Weatherford with art by Jeffery Boston Weatherford! ?? A combination of history, art, and personal genealogy depicts the author’s search for her family tree, which leads her to ancestors who were some of Maryland’s founders. The book journeys with generations of Carole and Jeffrey’s family members who lived at Wye House on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. The Weatherfords impart their family’s lives and offer a view into Maryland’s African American history. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/emaSHijc Are you excited for this year's pick?

???? Congratulations to the Our Kids Read on opening the Free Children's Book Store and Literacy Hub in Dundalk's Eastpoint Mall. ???? We love this initiative, that includes mentoring as well as access to books. ?? (via WMAR-TV)

We close out our celebration of SHINE Grantees that focus on Black history and culture with Historic Hampton, Inc. (HHI) The nonprofit promotes the historical, scientific, educational and interpretive activities of Hampton National Historic Site. Hampton National Historic Site memorializes phases of American social, cultural, and economic history across three centuries from the Colonial Era to post World War II. The National Park Service (NPS) and Historic Hampton have focused on research to enhance knowledge about the enslaved people who lived and worked at Hampton plantation and the nearby Northampton Iron Works. Programming includes an Ethnographic Overview and Assessment (2017-2020), which identified hundreds of living descendants of people formerly enslaved at the Hampton plantation. Anthropologists, ethnographers, sociologists, historians, museum professionals, cultural historians, interpretation specialists and African American material culture experts used archival documents and public records, photography, printed ephemera, oral histories, and GIS information to discover more about the lives of the enslaved and indentured workers at Hampton. Last year, middle school students in Baltimore County Public Schools took guided tours of Hampton National Historic Site, led by National Park Service rangers. ?? Back in the classroom, the students created art inspired by their experience at Hampton, later displayed at Towson University StartUp site. ?? This year, a week is planned for all middle school students in Baltimore County Public Schools to visit Historic Hampton and create art based on their visit. ?? of Mary Taylor: NPS/ Hampton National Historic Site. The photograph depicts Mary Taylor at the Octagon Building at Hampton in 1936, NPS. Taylor worked as a cook preparing the food for meals at Hampton from at least six years. She was born in 1873 in Virginia and was living and working at Hampton by 1930.

You never know where Maryland History Day will take you! ???? Our State Contest is about 2 months away, and will be here before you know it. Learn something this May and help students on their journeys in history education! We're looking for volunteers to be a Maryland History Day judge. Get started here: https://lnkd.in/euAhvPR8 If you or your student or child has participated in MHD, share your experience in the comments! ?? from the 2022 MHD State Contest: Mitro Hood Photography

Maryland Humanities CEO, Lindsey Baker received a special invite to the Maryland Chamber of Commerce’s Business Outlook event from board member Allyson Black-Woodson. There, Lindsey was able to hear directly from Gov. Wes Moore and state leadership about ways we can continue to keep Maryland at its best through the work of businesses and nonprofits. Maryland Humanities is committed to partnering with government, businesses, universities, and nonprofits to ensure the preservation and promotion of our state’s greatest stories and voices. Partner with us today!

Congratulations to our Maryland History Day students honored at the Maryland State House on Monday! ?? Delegates and State Senators honored eleven students with citations for placing at the 2024 National History Day Contest or receiving another national honor there. ?? Our two 2024 Maryland History Day Statewide Teachers of the Year, from Frederick County Public Schools and Montgomery County Public Schools, received citations, too. Thank you to Delegate Courtney Watson, Delegate Jessica Feldmark, Delegate Terri Hill, Delegate Pam Lanman Guzzone, Senator Charles E. Sydnor III, and all the officials who took the time to honor students.