A Fresh Perspective

February 20, 2013

Last week I had the honor of joining President and CEO
John Herbst and Vice President of Development Andrew Halter on their annual
trip to Florida to meet with our members that are lucky enough to winter in the Sunshine State. What a wonderful opportunity to not only attend some incredible
events, but also to spend time talking with members about the exhibitions they
have visited, upcoming projects they look forward to, and potential stories
they would like to see us cover in the future. Day-to-day job responsibilities
can prevent us from sometimes taking the time to get out and talk with people
about the thing we all have in common … our love of history.

We spent three nights in Florida and hosted receptions in
three towns during our trip. The first night?s reception was at the home of IHS
Trustee Mag Russell and her husband, Steve, in Naples, where we were welcomed as
houseguests and invited to speak about the work of the Indiana Historical
Society in a setting that screamed history … between the old world mantelpiece,
the Italian fresco ceiling and the objects that once spent time in Cole
Porter?s Parisian apartment. The next night we traveled to the Sanibel Island home
of longtime members and soon-to-be-Living Legends, former IHS Trustee Dr.
George Rapp and his wife, Peggy, where I spoke about the You Are There
exhibition program standing on a balcony with a backdrop of ocean waves. And
lastly, we were guests in the Boca Grande home of Will and Cotton Hanley, where
I had the honor of talking about our You Are There 1955: Ending Polio
experience and the upcoming You Are There 1913: A City Under Water project with
people who connected to the stories on a personal level in a myriad of ways.

I learned so much during my trip. About our members,
about the incredibly hard but rewarding work of our Development and Membership
staff, and about how proud I am of the You Are There series and the Indiana
Historical Society. I also learned that one can take a vial of
fake polio vaccine on an airplane, as long as it travels in checked luggage. A
useful tidbit among of week filled with new perspective, appreciation and
experience.

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