(Being posted to several lists, please excuse any repetition. Please feel free to cross-post.) ***************** The Howard County (Maryland) Historical and Cultural Alliance is sponsoring the one day summer conference of the Maryland Small Museum Association to be held on Wednesday, July 24, 1996. The theme is "Toward a Greater Understanding of African-American History and Culture." Two distinguished speakers will address the theme: (1) Prof. G. Sunday Tenabe, Director of James E. Lewis Museum of Art, Morgan State University (Baltimore, MD): "Toward an Understanding of the Art and Culture of Africa", and (2) Dr. Ronald L. Sharps, Executive Director of Maryland Commission on African American History and Culture: "Interpreting African-American History." The morning program, which includes the two speakers, takes place at Historic Savage Mill (Savage, MD - approx. midway between Baltimore and Washington, DC) followed by a buffet lunch. The afternoon offers 3 tour options: (1) Columbia Bus Tour, visiting the Columbia Welcome Center and Archives (Columbia is the planned community of James Rouse, which began development during the 1960s), the Howard County Center of African-American Culture, and the Maryland Museum of African Art; (2) Walking Tour of Ellicott City, visiting the Howard County Historical Society (both museum and library), the B&O Railroad Station Museum, and the Firehouse Museum; and (3) the Ellicott City Bus Tour, visiting Mt. Ida (historic house which presently is the home to the Friends of the Patapsco Female Institute), the Patapsco Female Institute Historic Park (the Patapsco Female Institute was one of the most well known female seminaries of the 19th century), and the Ellicott City Colored School Project. All of this for the price of $30. Closing for conference registration is July 10th. To receive a brochure you may call the Howard County Historical Society Library at (410) 750-0370 (please leave message if not open) or email [log in to unmask]