Here is Arden chiming in:

One thing to remember about us (Georgia) is that we had communities apply to host the exhibition, not organizations. While one organization

does take the lead, it really encourages (pushes?) them to work with others in their towns. We worked it the same way for New Harmonies and

I believe it was quite successful as a result. I even had one of our site community directors telling me that she met people from organizations

in her town she never knew existed. So it can be a win-win situation.

As far as the Main Street people, aside from sharing “your” name, I believe it is important to include them as they are the ones

that get things accomplished in their communities. I will use Nashville (GA, of course) as an example. Dawn Morrison was our site community director who functioned as the Better Hometown Director (later the Main Street Director) AND the Economic Development Director. She had a line to everyone including mayor and city council as well as Georgia state government representatives. In some cases the Main Street people fill more than one role, as is the case in Nashville.

Ann is right about Dept. of Community Affairs too, partnering with them is important for us. They are a newer partnership but have already made a difference. Their director was on our application evaluator panel. He then invited Ann and me to participate in the national Main Street conference here in Atlanta (where we did a session on Museum on Main Street!). He also pledged funds for the tour (to seal the partnership).

Another great partner for us is the Department of Economic Development, (partnering on their third tour!). They love Museum on Main Street tours, have ties to state government (governor’s office) and utilize the attention that the exhibitions bring to the state.

Looking at our 12 communities on Hometown Teams, seven of them have Main Street people among their leaders. The other five either had Main Street

at their site community visit or plan on working with them. I encourage them as much as possible to work together (OK, I nag them).

Thanks for asking these questions, Carol! I love it when I can expound on something important to us.

Regards to all,

Arden

Ms. Arden Williams

Georgia Humanities

Senior Program Officer

Grant Program and

Museum on Main Street Exhibits

*:50 Hurt Plaza, Ste. 595

Atlanta, GA 30303

(: 404-523-6220 ext. 117

404-523-5702 (fax)

GH is proud to host the Smithsonian Institution exhibition,

Hometown Teams: How Sports Shape America beginning March 2016.

The tour dates and communities are listed on the GH website:

http://www.georgiahumanities.org/news/hometown-teams

Georgia Humanities Council is now Georgia Humanities.

Look for our new website- coming soon.

From: Museum on Main Street [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Ann McCleary
Sent: Tuesday, August 18, 2015 1:46 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: State Main Street organizations...a question

Carol,

In Georgia, DCA (Department of Community Affiars--which administers the Main Street program) is one of our partners. Representatives of DCA have participated in all phases of our project, helping on the selection committee for sites but also participating in our training. We encourage all our communities to partner with the Main Street folks, and some have been site directors or co-directors.

Arden could chime in more about this collaboration, but it makes a lot of sense to us! And it has helped us developed more collaboration both at the state and community level.

ann

On Tue, Aug 18, 2015 at 1:28 PM, Harsh, Carol <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

Hi all,

Last week I attended a Program Planning meeting for Hometown Teams in Louisiana. Brian invited Ray Scriber, Director of Louisiana Main Street, to talk to the group about building strong partnerships in their communities. It was fabulous!

I’m curious about two things:

1) How many of you partner with your state Main Street organizations?

2) How many of your MoMS host communities involve local Main Street organizations in their planning?

So many communities these days seem to be divided, sometimes along race lines or struggling to find ways to include new immigrant groups, etc. Are the Main Street programs in your states strong? Could they be instrumental in providing some training for MoMS host communities about ways to build strong partnerships?

Just thinking about how MoMS can continue to make a strong impact in the host communiteis. Would love to hear your ideas!

Best,

Carol

Carol G. Harsh

Director, Museum on Main Street and Special Projects

Smithsonian Institution, SITES

P.O. Box 37012 MRC 941

Washington, D.C. 20013-7012

Deliveries

470 L’Enfant Plaza, SW

Suite 7103

Washington, D.C. 20024

Tel: 202-633-5333

Fax: 202-633-5344