Shaping the Future of History
The Maryland Center for History and Culture more than lives up to its name as the premier source all things historical and cultural about the state with more than 7 million books, journals, manuscripts, artwork, and cultural artifacts and objects. They have an epic tale to tell as the oldest continually operating cultural institution in all of Maryland.
In this ever-changing world, they wanted to shape the future of how history is presented with a new presence well beyond their walls, in schools and online. Their goals were to connect with new audiences, develop inclusive programs, provide an inspirational educational experience and expand their national presence.
The Path Forward
Our team launched a planning study to identify the opportunities for growth. Increasing awareness became the top priority uncovered during our study. Over the course of the next two years, our team partnered with their dedicated staff as they moved forward with a rebranding from the Maryland Historical Society to the Maryland Center for History and Culture, all while moving forward with a $10 million multi-pronged campaign. We worked with them to redesign their logo, name and colors to ensure that they are viewed as more than a museum, creating a more welcoming environment for all generations and celebrating the state’s cultural diversity within their collections and programming.
With a new name and new image, the goal was about raising funds to raise awareness. They hired additional staff support and strengthened their relationship with the State of Maryland so they were better positioned as a statewide resource. They secured financial support from the State as well as from a large group of donors. These funds enabled the Maryland Center for History and Culture to modernize their collections, upgrade their facilities, create a Learning Lab, launch educational programming and create a reserve fund to ensure their long-term financial sustainability.
In the end, our team helped them not only meet their goal, but also surpass it, raising $13 million to make history a relevant and immersive experience for years to come – inside its walls, in classroom curricula and online.