National Collaborative for Women's History Sites facts for kids

The National Collaborative for Women's History Sites (NCWHS) is a special group in the United States. It's a nonprofit group, which means it doesn't aim to make money. Its main goal is to help save and share stories about women's history at museums and historic sites.

The NCWHS wants to make sure that places where women made history are protected. They also want to show how much women have helped shape American life. This way, everyone can learn about women's experiences and see their full potential.

What is the NCWHS?

The National Collaborative for Women's History Sites, or NCWHS, is a group dedicated to women's history. They work to preserve and explain the stories of women. This often happens at places like old homes, schools, or other important sites. These places are called historic sites.

Why Was it Started?

The NCWHS started in October 2001. More than 20 groups linked to American women's history came together. They noticed that only about 4% of historic sites in the country talked about women's history. This meant many important stories were not being shared.

The people who started the NCWHS wanted to change this. They aimed to help smaller local groups. These local groups were trying to add more women's history to their communities. The NCWHS helps by connecting these groups. It also acts as a central place for information and resources.

What Does the NCWHS Do?

The NCWHS does many things to share women's history. They create books and guides, like Revealing Women's History: Best Practices at Historic Sites. They also hold workshops and online meetings called webinars. These events teach people how to better share women's stories.

Helping Historic Sites

The organization helps public historians. These are people who work at museums and historic sites. The NCWHS gives them tools and ideas. This helps them include more women's history in their exhibits and tours. They also encourage the creation of "heritage trails." These trails connect different historic places related to women.

Working Together

The NCWHS often works with other history groups. These partners include the National Park Service. They also work with the National Women's History Project and the Organization of American Historians. By working together, they can reach more people. They can also share women's history in many different ways.

Who is Part of the NCWHS?

Many different people are part of the NCWHS. This includes curators, who manage museum collections. It also includes interpreters, who explain history to visitors. Managers, history consultants, and teachers are members too. Students and people who just love history can also join.

The NCWHS is guided by a group called the board of directors. Heather Huyck leads this board. The main office for the NCWHS is in Evanston, Illinois. It is located at the Evanston History Center.