|
Mission The Maine Humanities Council engages the people of Maine in the power and pleasure of ideas, encouraging a deeper understanding of ourselves and others, fostering wisdom in an age of information, and providing context in a time of change.
|
|
|
|
From the MHC grant-funded program The Apple and Pine
Tassel, an exhibition of historic photographs from sister
states Maine and Aomori, Japan.
Top: Cousins Carlton Farnham and Ethel Farnham, Snow Pond (Messalonskee Lake), Maine, 1898, Maine State Museum Collection Bottom: Sea Bathing at Ohminato, Mutsu City, 1923, Collection of Mr. Kazuichi Suzuki [click pictures above for larger view]
|
Message from the Chairman
I thought I knew all about the work of the Maine Humanities Council, yet only now am I beginning to appreciate its true value for Maine’s people. As an educator with over thirty years’ experience working with Maine students and teachers from kindergarten through graduate school, I first learned about the Council’s work through its high-quality programs for teachers. In 1998, I joined the MHC Board of Directors and came to understand even more about the scope of the Council’s work, and its reach from Kittery to Fort Kent.
Now, with only a few months on the job as Board Chair, I realize that I have much more to learn. When my connection to the Council is announced at a public meeting, strangers — librarians, adult educators, Head Start directors and hospital administrators — come up to me and tell me the good the MHC has done for them or their organization. Furthermore, my new connection to the Federation of State Humanities Councils has taught me the high regard that other state councils have for our work here in Maine. As Chair I have a great opportunity to appreciate first-hand the hard work and creativity of our Council staff and board, and the many grantees who seek our sponsorship. I hope in this annual report you, too, will find ample evidence that “the power and pleasure of ideas” are alive and well in Maine.
Richard E. Barnes
Message from the Director
We are pleased to present this comprehensive annual report to the people of Maine. The year 2004 witnessed a number of milestones for the Maine Humanities Council: it marked the completion of our capital campaign in which we raised over 1 million dollars for the Harriet P.Henry Center for the Book building and endowment. In addition, our programs showed a strong increase in activity and audience participation. Sadly, 2004 is also the year of the passing of Harriet Putnam Henry, our long-time friend and supporter, to whom we dedicate this annual report.
Dorothy Schwartz