Did anybody who is on Museum-L happen to attend the Forum on
History Centers that was co-hosted by the Historical Society of Pennsylvania
and the Western Pennsylvania Historical Society in Philadelphia on May 20
this year?  I hadn't heard about it until I received an invitation to buy
either the audio or video tapes from the forum.
        Several things about the invitation intrigued me, but my most
basic question has to do with the working definition(s) of "history
center."  This term is not in widespread use here in Maine, although the
Maine Historical Society does use it in referring to its relatively new
configuration of facilities.  Aside from that reference and having read
posts from people like Byron Johnson at the Tampa Bay History Center, my
experience of these entities is nonexistent.  In practical terms, how do
they differ from tradition history museums?
--Julia Hunter, Manager
Cultural Resources Information Center
Maine State Museum
83 State House Station
Augusta, ME   04333-0083
(207) 287-5794
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