Exciting events for A2SN in 2015

A2SN is excited to announce two events in 2015 that will bring together members of volunteer-led societies, independent scholars, archivists, academics and museum professionals working in the heritage and business history fields. As a chance to meet fellows and colleagues, and to stimulate minds and build bridges, these events are not to be missed.

The Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust (Coalbrookdale, Shropshire) is the setting for the first workshop on 29th and 30th of May, which is entitled Exploring the Project Based Economy: Commerce, Enterprise and Industry 1650–1900.  The line-up is packed full of speakers discussing highly stimulating subjects. Some of the many highlights include Carolyn Dougherty assessing the development of engineering networks in the early railway era, Elizabeth Marsh presenting on Joseph Dodds and the disgrace of a Pioneer of the Cleveland Iron Trade, while Diane Deblois and Robert Harris speak on the Laying of the first Transatlantic Telegraph Cable.

At £60 to attend the whole workshop (£40 for a single day), which includes a 7 day free pass to the ten Ironbridge Gorge Museums, this workshop is an unmissable bargain. A full programme and delegate booking form can be found at the A2SN website.

But if that was not enough, on the 19th and 20th June our second workshop Exploring Archives will be held in Reading at the Museum of Rural Life and University of Reading. Delving into archives is a pastime of most historical researchers and so this workshop very usefully explores some of the thrills and potential spills of this process. The workshop also seeks to act as a forum in which bridges between academics, archivists, museum professionals and enthusiasts can be built, so as to stimulate cooperation and collaboration in the preservation and use of historically rich and valuable collections.

To make the event as accessible to as many as possible, the price of this two-day workshop is just £40 (admission for students is free of charge) and our grateful thanks go to the Centre for Institutional Performance at the University of Reading for their enthusiastic support. The programme and delegate booking form can again be found at the A2SN website.