Maine Humanities Council

Jennifer Crane, photo credit: Diane Magras

Each summer, the MHC holds week-long History Camps for Maine high school students, akin to Music Camps, Writing Camps, Computer Camps, and so on: participants spend their days studying or practicing what they love best. In this case, it’s inspiring history to life. Students have behind-the-scenes experiences at museums, learn how exhibits are created, investigate primary sources, and hear experts speak. In 2010, the MHC will offer “The Cold War, McCarthyism, and Margaret Chase Smith’s ‘Declaration of Conscience‘” (June 28 through July 2 in Skowhegan) and “Through a Howling Wilderness: Benedict Arnold and the Maine Frontier” (July 12 through 16 in Augusta). More information will upcoming on the MHC website.

“Quest for the Pole,” offered last summer in partnership with the Peary-MacMillan Arctic Museum at Bowdoin College, was very close to the heart of Jennifer Crane, one of the camp’s instructors.

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"First Day of School" Portland, Maine August 2006: When Hafsa started school, she picked up English with an amazing rapidity. Her energy and intelligence represents a profound hope for her family. Credit: © Abdi Roble / Somali Documentary Project

In “Immigration: Perspectives for ME”, the MHC’s July 27 through 31st History Camp, eight high school students gathered at Museum L-A in Lewiston to learn about the history of immigration in the state, with a focus on the Lewiston area,  The students’ immigrant backgrounds—two were Somali first-generation, and four had French ancestors—helped added to their understanding of the issues explored.

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In July the MHC held two week-long summer History Camps for high school students. We do this each year as a means of offering young people interested in history the opportunity to join peers with like interests in a field of study. It’s akin to Music Camps, Writing Camps, Computer Camps, etc. in that the participants spend their days studying or practicing what they love best with new friends from around the state. In this case, it’s bringing history to life.

From the Peary-MacMillan Arctic Museum at Bowdoin College

“Quest for the Pole,” the MHC’s first camp this summer, was held in collaboration with the Peary-MacMillan Arctic Museum at Bowdoin College from July 13 to 17, 2009. Professional staff at the museum introduced participants to the ins and outs of dealing with artifacts, creating displays, and approaching primary sources (ranging from diaries and photos to Inuit clothing, the sledge, and models of the  boats designed to explore the Arctic).

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