Hi Carol,

Since I'm just the scholar with New Harmonies, please take my comments with a grain of salt.  Also feel free not to include this in the general discussion if you feel it is not appropriate but having just spent 2 years working with the Lincoln Bicentennial, I may have some insights into this that could be of value to you (or not!).

I expect that there will be a significant interest on many levels with the Civil War Sesquicentennial (also, don't forget the 50th anniversary of the Civil Rights Movement which can also tie in very effectively to this theme).  Many of the museums and events that I have worked for the Lincoln Bicentennial are turning their focus towards the Civil War and I anticipate seeing it be a major focus of numerous events, exhibits and media over the next several years.

With that in mind:

1) I'd say there would be a strong interest in a MoMS exhibit focusing on the home front. Most of the local museum's I've worked with for New Harmonies have artifacts from local Civil War soldiers in their collections.  The theme is accessible to almost everyone and would have a strong resonance within many communities on a local level, particularly in states that were involved with the conflict. 

2)  While I personally don't think it needs to be up and running at the very beginning of the Sesquicentennial,  I wouldn't wait too long.  I experienced a certain amount of "Lincoln burnout" from presenters and audience by the second year of the Bicentennial Celebration (even though that was the actual bicentennial year!).  As I mentioned, there will be a great deal of focus on this issue across the board and I don't think you want to come in too late.  My gut reaction is to take advantage of the big buzz to get communities involved and planning during the initial anniversary push then have the actual exhibit open late in 2011 or early in 2012. 

3)  While I think that there is a general interest in the Civil War and I do think that this exhibit would "have legs" for many years, I expect that there will be such a large focus on it during the actual sesquicentennial years that there will be a tapering off at least to some degree.  That being said, I do think it is a theme that will resonate very well with many communities, particularly on the local level and would have long lasting interest.

OK, there's my 2cents worth!  I hope that helps.

Best,

Chris

Chris Vallillo
Illinois State Scholar
Smithsonian Institution New Harmonies Exhibition
PO Box 144
Macomb, IL  61455
309-833-4838
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On Mar 1, 2010, at 3:44 PM, Harsh, Carol wrote:

Dear MoMS family and friends,

We are exploring some ideas for the next MoMS exhibition and want to get some quick feedback in preparation for a meeting on March 17 with some curators at the National Museum of American History and the National Portrait Gallery.
 
There was a lot of talk at the Federation Conference about the upcoming 150th anniversary of the Civil War.  We are exploring the possibility of developing an exhibition on the Civil War Homefront.  This is something that we discussed with quite a few folks at the conference and heard resounding support.   Since you have hosted MoMS exhibitions in the past you have a good feel for potential interest among the host communities, so we are interested in knowing your reaction to this idea, too.
 
So, I have three questions:
 
(1)    Are you interested in a MoMS exhibition centered on the homefront during the Civil War?
(2)    If we were to do such an exhibition is it crucial that it open in the anniversary year—2011;  or could it open later, maybe Fall 2012 or Spring 2013? 
(3)    Do you think programs about the Civil War would only be popular in the anniversary years from 2011 to 2015, or is there generally an interest in the topic?
 
We have been hearing about a lot of programming planned around the anniversary year.  Please let us know at your earliest convenience if you think your council would be interested in hosting a MoMS exhibition on the subject.
 
All the best,

Carol
 
Carol G. Harsh
Director, Museum on Main Street
Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service
P.O. Box 37012, MRC 941
Washington, DC  20013-7012
202-633-5333
202-465-5267 (cell)