The Chippewa Valley Museum, (CVM), a regional history museum located in 
Eau Claire, Wisconsin, will host a Museum Conference and Teacher 
Institute October 1-3, 2005.

The conference will center around the content and themes of CVM’s newest 
exhibit, /Farm Life: A Century of Change for Farm Families and their 
Neighbors/. The 5,000 square-foot exhibit tells the story of profound 
change for Chippewa Valley farm families and their neighbors throughout 
the 20^th century. Conference sessions will address issues relevant to 
both museum professionals and classroom educators, as well as offer 
discussion and networking opportunities, off-site activities, and 
keynote addresses.

The CVM Conference is presented in cooperation with the University of 
Wisconsin-Eau Claire History Department, and in conjunction with the 
Wisconsin Federation of Museums (WFM) Annual Meeting.

All attendees will participate in “Reading the Farm” sessions that 
address themes in rural history. Principal speakers include historians 
Mary Neth, David Danbom, Robert Gough, and Jane Pederson. Media 
historian Lary May, folklorists James Leary and Ruth Olson, and writer 
John Hildebrand will also present. Keynote speakers include writer 
Michael Perry and museum education specialist Marcia Wolter Britton.

Sessions on October 2 will emphasize issues of interpretation and 
conservation for agricultural collections. CVM will also present related 
project materials that may be used by other museums and institutions, 
including publications, a panel exhibit, and on-line exhibit “workbook” 
for developing exhibits about rural history and culture.

Sessions on October 3 are part of the Wisconsin Federation of Museums 
(WFM) Annual Meeting and Conference and will focus on a variety of 
museum issues. The Annual WFM lunch will feature a keynote address by 
CVM director Susan McLeod.

CVM Conference and Institute materials will be distributed shortly. A 
limited number of scholarships are available to assist with registration 
or travel costs. For more information about the conference or to request 
assistance, please contact Melissa Holmen or Susan McLeod at 
715-834-7871 or via email at [log in to unmask] <mailto:[log in to unmask]>.

/Farm Life: A Century of Change for Farm Families and their Neighbors 
/is supported by grants from the National Endowment for the Humanities, 
with additional funding for special components provided by the Wisconsin 
Humanities Council and Wisconsin Arts Board.

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