Press Releases

April 17, 2012

“All Aboard!” Smithsonian Institution Exhibition, Journey Stories, Launches Statewide Tour in Harford County on May 19th

(Baltimore) - All aboard!  The Maryland Humanities Council (MHC), the Harford County Public Library, in partnership with the Harford County Department of Community Services, invites you to the statewide launch of Journey Stories, a national Smithsonian exhibition which will travel throughout Maryland. Harford County invites the public to an opening celebration at the Abingdon Library, complete with a ribbon cutting and community conversation on immigration with Dr. Vincent Cannato, author of American Passage:  The History of Ellis Island. Journey Stories in Harford County May 19, 2012 to July 6, 2012.

April 13, 2012

Students Receive Honors at Letters About Literature Awards Ceremony

(Baltimore) – Three first-place winners and dozens of student finalists will receive recognition at the 2012 State Letters About Literature Awards Ceremony during the CityLit Festival on Saturday, April 14^th at 11am at the Enoch Pratt Free Library Central Branch. (photo of three finalists by Ken Stanek)

March 23, 2012

The Cellist of Sarajevo by Steven Galloway is Chosen as MHC's 2012 One Maryland One Book

The Maryland Humanities Council (MHC) is proud to announce the choice for its One Maryland One Book Program:  The Cellist of Sarajevo by Steven Galloway.

When asked about the selection of his book, Galloway replied, “I think it’s really exciting. I’ve had some exposure to community reading programs, and it has been universally positive. As an author, it’s indescribable when people are using your book for larger conversations beyond whether or not they like it.  I think it’s wonderful, and I look forward to visiting Maryland in the fall.”

January 18, 2012

Maryland Humanities Council Offers Free Grants Workshop

(Baltimore, MD) - The Maryland Humanities Council is offering a Grants Workshop on Wednesday, February 1, 2012, from 1:30pm until 3pm at the Calvert Marine Museum, located at 14200 Solomons Island Road, Solomons, Maryland 20688. 

MHC seeks to develop new relationships with Maryland non-profit organizations that engage the public through humanities-based programming.  One way the council accomplishes this is through MHC’s grants program.

November 10, 2011

"Literature & Medicine" Program to be Featured at White House Presentation November 16

Board members and staff from The Maryland Humanities Council (MHC) will participate in the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) presentation, “Using the Humanities to Support the Veteran Community,” at the South Court Auditorium at the White House on November 16^th. The event highlights two successful history and literature programs which serve veterans by fostering a better understanding among their caregivers of the complex challenges they face.

November 10, 2011

MHC's "Practicing Democracy" Receives Helen and Martin Schwartz Prize at National Humanities Conference

The Maryland Humanities Council (MHC) is proud to announce that it is a recipient of the Helen and Martin Schwartz Prize for “Standout in Risk-Taking and Most Demonstrable Community-Changing Outcomes,” an honor given by the Federation of State Humanities Councils, for its “Practicing Democracy” program.

November 10, 2011

MHC Seeks Titles for 2012 One Maryland One Book Pick

 What should Marylanders read together in 2012?  Help the Maryland Humanities Council (MHC) choose the 2012 One Maryland One Book (OMOB) selection.  Readers should submit suggestions under the theme of “stories of courage and unity during times of war” by November 28^th.

November 1, 2011

Maryland Humanities Council Welcomes New Board Members

MHC elected seven new members to its Board of Directors at its October meeting held at the C. Burr Artz Public Library in Frederick.  New members hail from the business community, academia, and the Baltimroe City Circuit Court.

August 4, 2011

MHC Welcomes Sherman Alexie to Maryland, Author Tour Announced

(Baltimore, MD) The Maryland Humanities Council (MHC) is proud to announce the locations and dates for its One Maryland One Book author tour with Sherman Alexie from September 22 – 24, 2011. His book, The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, is the 2011 One Maryland One Book selection.

August 4, 2011

MHC Announces Sites for Statewide Smithsonian Touring Exhibit, Journey Stories

The Maryland Humanities Council (MHC) has announced the five sites chosen to host Journey Stories, a national Smithsonian exhibit which will travel throughout Maryland from May 2012 to January 2013, through a partnership between the MHC and the Smithsonian’s Museum on Main Street (MOMs) Program.

Curated by William Withuhn, curator of transportation for the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History, Journey Stories explores tales of how we and our ancestors came to America – a narrative which is a central element of our personal heritage.  Maryland partners will add their local stories and programs exploring travel and migration in our State.

May 5, 2011

Maryland Student Achievment Shines at State History Day Contest

(Baltimore, MD) More than 600 talented middle and high students, along with their proud parents and teachers, converged on the campus of the University of Maryland, Baltimore County on Saturday, April 30, 2011 to compete in the annual statewide Maryland History Day competition.  Additionally, statewide High School History Day Teacher of the Year awards were given on the middle school and high school categories, and on the district level.

April 27, 2011

The Maryland Humanities Council Seeks Host Sites for Smithsonian Traveling Exhibit, Journey Stories

The Maryland Humanities Council Seeks Host Sites for
Are you a local cultural or community organization looking to enhance partnerships, build your organization’s programming, and tell your local story?  The Maryland Humanities Council (MHC) invites small museums, public libraries, historic sites, community centers, college galleries, parks, and other cultural and civic organizations to apply to host a Journey Stories exhibition.  Journey Stories, a part of the Smithsonian Institution’s “Museum on Main Street” (MOMS) program, will travel throughout Maryland from May 2012 to March 2013. Five host sites will be chosen, with each site presenting Journey Stories for six weeks. The deadline to submit proposals is June 1, 2011. Organizations with questions can also contact program manager Jean Wortman at 410.685.4187 or via email at jwortman@mdhc.org.


          

March 31, 2011

Students From Across the State To Compete in History Contest

BALTIMORE, MD. (March 31, 2011). Maryland History Day, the state’s largest history competition, is scheduled to take place on Saturday, April 30, 2011 at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC). Produced by the Maryland Humanities Council, the competition brings together over 500 talented middle and high school students, representing 17 counties and Baltimore City. 

March 29, 2011

St. Martin's in-the-Field School Librarian Receives 2011 Christine D. Sarbanes Teacher of the Year Award

(Baltimore, MD) The Maryland Humanities Council is pleased to announce that Cynthia Barry, Librarian and Communications Director at St. Martin's in-the-Field Day School, has been selected as the recipient of the 2011 Christine D. Sarbanes Teacher of the Year Award. This annual award recognizes an outstanding Maryland educator who participates in the Letters About Literature contest and has worked creatively to inspire students to read great literature. The award is given in memory of Christine D. Sarbanes, former MHC board member, teacher and lifelong promoter of the humanities.

March 16, 2011

Maryland Recognizes State Letters About Literature Winners

(Baltimore, MD) Have you ever, after reading a book, wanted to tell the author how his or her words changed your life?  About 100 students will be honored as state finalists April 16^th during the CityLit Festival at the Enoch Pratt Public Library for their entries into the state Letters About Literature contest. The Christine D. Sarbanes Teacher Award, honoring a Maryland teacher who works to promote reading by employing creative teaching methods, will also be presented during the awards ceremony in April.

February 15, 2011

Maryland's 2011 One Book Pick Illuminates Overcoming Life's Obstacles, Opposing Beliefs

The Maryland Humanities Council (MHC) is pleased to announce that the One Maryland One Book selection for 2011 is The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie. The book was chosen by a volunteer committee of librarians, educators, authors, journalists and bibliophiles in January 2011 from a list of approximately 150 titles submitted from readers across the state.

December 15, 2010

The Maryland Humanities Council and Stoop Stories Presents "Moving Stories: Getting Around Baltimore"

As part of the Maryland Humanities Council's (MHC) new program, Practicing Democracy: Seeking Common Ground, MHC and Stoop Stories have partnered to present "Moving Stories: Getting Around Baltimore", a free event designed to get people talking about transportation issues in Baltimore City. This program will take place at the Walters Art Museum at 600 N Charles Street, Baltimore, Maryland, Thursday, February 10 at 6 p.m. Following the storytelling, audience members will form small groups that will discuss and debate ideas raised during the storytelling. To register for this event, please sign up at www.mdhc.org/programs/practicing-democracy/event-registration/.

December 9, 2010

The Maryland Humanities Council Welcomes New Board Members

(Baltimore, MD) The Maryland Humanities Council (MHC) is pleased to announce the additions of Elizabeth (Betsy) Cadwallader, Elizabeth Cannon, Silvia Golombek and Christopher Leighton to MHC's Board of Directors. Their knowledge, expertise and vision will be invaluable in helping MHC achieve its mission to stimulate and promote informed dialogue and civic engagement on issues critical to Marylanders. New board members were voted on during the fall board meeting in October, and will be formally welcomed during the winter board meeting in late January 2011.

November 22, 2010

The Maryland Humanities Council Hires New Director of Development

(Baltimore, MD) The Maryland Humanities Council has announced that Aaron Heinsman has joined the organization as Director of Development. Mr. Heinsman has ten years experience working for nonprofits such as Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company and Center Stage. As Director of Development, he will cultivate government, foundation, and corporate relationships and oversee annual giving.