Interpreting American Identity and Memory at Keeler Tavern Museum & History Center

FAIN: ZPP-283860-22

Keeler Tavern Museum (Ridgefield, CT 06877-4931)
Katie Burton (Project Director: May 2021 to December 2023)

Development of a new interpretive plan to present a more inclusive view of American identity and memory.

We seek an NEH American Rescue Plan: Humanities Organizations grant to respond to the disruptions of the pandemic with an assessment and interpretive planning project that will increase our capacity to carry out meaningful and relevant interpretive work. This project will support KTM&HC’s critical and timely transition from a local historic house museum to a regional museum and history center that uses its site history to authentically and inclusively tell stories of American identity and memory. This project, the first phase in a larger initiative to build and implement a new interpretive plan, will: help maintain current staff positions and allocate staff time to the project; create a new staff position to professionalize interpretive work at the museum; allow us to hire an interpretive planning consultant; result in the development of a series of public programs focused on transparency and community engagement; and initiate organizational training, including DEI training.