Hartford

I had every intention to keep posting while I was on the road, but when I got to the fancy-schmancy Marriott we stayed in for our conference, I found out they were charging almost $10/day to connect to the internet.  Yeah right!  There was one public computer which, of course, was always occupied.  In general, I was NOT impressed with the Marriott in downtown Hartford, and I definitely wouldn't pay to stay there on my own.  So, being removed from my routine and networking, I've fallen off the blogging wagon again.  I'll try to get back on!

The conference was for National Association for Interpretation.  It was pretty good.  I learned much more about what people in my position across the country actually do.  I met several NPS colleagues from the Alaska region.  Some of these people I had emailed and spoken with on the phone, so it was nice to put a face to them.  Very nice people over-all.  I stayed busy with the conference and didn't get a chance to check out anything about Hartford, but it was nice being in a place that feels connected to the rest of the world!

One day that week we got to go on a field trip.  We had to sign up for the one we wanted to take before the conference, and I selected mine one day way back while my boss read the descriptions over the phone to me so she could submit us for early registration.  I wasn't really sure what I'd be in for.  The theme was related to programs that accomplished their goals with a small budget and/or small staff.  We first went to a place owned by the CT Audubon Society at Milford Point.  It was nice to get outside, nice place, a few good ideas.  Then we went to the Yale campus to the Peabody Museum of Natural History.

Front exterior of Peabody Museum of Natural History

Mixed feeling about this part of the field trip.  The presentation about what they were doing with their interpretive program was good and gave me some good ideas.  The museum also had some cool exhibits.  It is, however, a private museum that is interpreted through the lens of evolution.  There was, in fact, a whole exhibit that was practically a shrine to evolutionists.  Unfortunate that such nice collections are used to indoctrinate scores of kids that visit. 

I did find a couple of things for you, Mom.  The first picture is a mummified cat (there was a small Egyptian exhibit).  The second is a bonnet.  It reminded me of yours, but I dare say this one took even more work!  Unfortunately, I didn't write down where it was from, and I already forgot.