President's Update

There is a real sense of momentum in the work we are doing at the Association for the Study of Connecticut History (ASCH), and I am excited to share some of the projects and collaborations we have underway. With America 250 on the horizon, we are taking an active role in ensuring Connecticut's history is front and center—both in scholarship and in the resources available to educators, museums, and the public.One of our biggest upcoming events is the conference, “Present from the Start: People of Color in Connecticut's Revolutionary Era, 1763–1836.” ASCH is proud to be partnering with Connecticut Explored, the Center for Connecticut Studies, and the History Department at Eastern Connecticut State University to bring this important conversation to Eastern's campus on Saturday, September 20, 2025. The stories of Black, Indigenous, and other marginalized communities during the Revolutionary era are not new, but they have often been underrepresented in public memory. This conference is an opportunity to highlight ongoing research, share new perspectives, and bring together historians, educators, and the public for meaningful discussions. We hope you'll join us.ASCH is also engaging in broader conversations about the role of historical institutions in today's world. This May, we are hosting a panel at the International Foundation for Cultural Property Protection (IFCPP) Conference, focusing on how museums, archives, and cultural sites can navigate the challenges of preserving history while remaining open and accessible to the public. As we all know, institutions large and small are facing growing concerns around security, preservation, and political pressures, and we're looking forward to contributing to the ongoing discussion about how to balance these responsibilities.With America 250 approaching, ASCH is deeply involved in efforts to create educational materials that bring Connecticut's Revolutionary history to life. Whether it's through curriculum development, public programs, or teacher workshops, we're working to ensure that students and educators have access to nuanced, engaging, and well-researched resources. This work isn't just about marking a milestone—it's about reexamining the narratives we tell, making space for more voices, and connecting Connecticut's past to the present in ways that are meaningful for today's audiences.I'm also happy to share that ASCH is launching a book club in partnership with the New England History Teachers Association (NEHTA). This is a great opportunity for educators, historians, and history enthusiasts to come together and discuss books that challenge and expand our understanding of Connecticut and U.S. history. Our selections will align with ongoing conversations in historical scholarship, and we encourage all ASCH members to join us. More details will be coming soon.None of this would be possible without the dedication of our ASCH board, who work tirelessly to keep these initiatives moving forward, and the many members who contribute their time, research, and expertise to our organization. A special thank you to Connecticut History Review editor, Tom Balcerski, who continues to ensure that the journal remains a vital resource for scholarship on our state's past. His thoughtful editorial leadership is what makes this publication such a valuable space for sharing research and ideas.If you haven't yet gotten involved with ASCH this year, now is a great time. Whether it's attending our conference, joining the book club, submitting to Connecticut History Review, or taking part in our America 250 work, we'd love to have you involved. Connecticut's history is richer because of the people who care about it, and I'm grateful to be part of a community that is so deeply invested in sharing and preserving our past.Looking forward to seeing many of you at our events in the months ahead—whether in a conference hall, on a Zoom screen, or deep in the pages of a great history book. After all, the best part of studying Connecticut's past is sharing it with people who care just as much as we do.