ROOTED IN PLACE
Exploring the Power of Local History in Community Identity
Friday, October 3, 2025
University of Maine at Farmington
Thank you to our Sponsors:
Odyssey by HistoryIT
Clement and Linda McGillicuddy Humanities Center
Osher Map Library & Smith Center for Cartographic Education
Cultural Alliance of Maine | Maine Historical Society | Perch Design Studio | SmallCorp | Maine Office of Tourism | Maine Community Foundation | Atlantic Black Box | Gardner Real Estate Group
Keynote speaker: Kayla G. Coleman
Kayla (she/her) comes to the MAM conference as the Executive Director of the New England Museum Association. An art historian, curator, educator, writer, and public art advocate who specializes in Modern and Contemporary art by Black artists in the United States and the Caribbean. Her work is rooted in topics that include access, post-colonialism, gentrification, and the intersections of marginalization. She received an AS in Gallery & Museum Studies and Photography from Queensborough Community College, a BA in Art History from Brooklyn College, and a MA in Art History from the City College of New York. Since beginning her career, Kayla has held positions at the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, Studio Museum in Harlem, New York Historical Society, WhiteBox, and BronxArtSpace. She was most recently Executive Director of VAE Raleigh. She has delivered lectures and panels at Wofford College, Brooklyn College, BronxArtSpace, and the New York African Studies Association. She has contributed writing and research for books, magazines, and catalogs including publications on Alma Thomas and Bettye Saar. Passionate about Human and Civil Rights, Coleman has done community organizing around racism, prison reform, housing rights, immigration, abortion rights, and voting rights. She is excited to continue the important work of NEMA, where she can apply her knowledge and experience to continue cultivating a more equitable and informed museum world.
Plenary speaker: Maulian Bryant
Maulian Bryant (formerly Maulian Dana) was named Executive Director of the Wabanaki Alliance in December 2024. She has been with the Alliances since its founding in 2020, serving for four years as President of the Wabanaki Alliance Board.
Bryant served as the first Penobscot Nation Tribal Ambassador from 2017-2024, having been appointed by Penobscot Nation Chief Kirk Francis. As Ambassador, Bryant acted as a representative of the Penobscot Nation and liaison for the Nation at the local, state, and federal levels of government in order to educate and advocate for policy and laws that impact and protect the Penobscot Nation’s sovereignty, culture, natural resources, and the general welfare of the Penobscot people.
Prior to her work as Ambassador, Bryant served as an elected member of the Penobscot Nation Tribal Council. She grew up on Indian Island within the Penobscot Nation’s Reservation and is the daughter of former Penobscot Nation Chief Barry Dana, who served from 2000-2004. Bryant graduated from the University of Maine in Orono with a degree in political science. In 2022, Colby College presented her with an honorary doctorate for her work on equity issues and policy.
Bryant is an outspoken advocate on the issue of derogatory mascots and imagery. Her advocacy resulted in the state of Maine enacting laws that changed the annual Columbus Day in October to Indigenous Peoples Day and prohibited public schools from using derogatory mascots. Her other passion is finding ways to strengthen and expand programs that help to preserve and teach the customs and traditions of the Penobscot people. She is a loving mother to three daughters and centers them in much of her work making the state and country a safer and more equitable place for her children and all tribal people. She believes in leading with love and making progress by finding shared humanity.
2025 MAM Conference Schedule:
Thursday Oct. 2
All of Thursday's events are free of charge, but space is limited. Please RSVP when you register for the conference.
1:00-4:00 Afternoon of Service at Farmington Historical Society
Spend an afternoon assisting Farmington Historical Society with their archival collections. Tasks may include transcription, inventorying, or general organization.
Location
2:30-4:30 Visit to Washburn Norlands Living History Center
Join the team at the Washburn Norlands Living History Center to tour the estate and partake in a conversation about sustainability and the future of the Norlands. Those interested in shadowing a school program may arrive at 1:00pm.
290 Norlands Road, Livermore
5:00-6:00 Student and New Professional Networking
Are you a student considering a career in museums? Are you just getting started in the field and looking to make connections? Come talk with people established in their careers who come from a variety of educational and professional backgrounds.
Location TBD
6:30-8:00 Opening Reception at the Octagon House
Drop in anytime to join MAM members from around the state for a casual evening of conversation before the conference kicks off. Light refreshments and tours included.
125 High Street, Farmington
As an added bonus:
Visit Devaney Doak & Garrett Booksellers, tell them you're in town for the MAM Conference and they will donate 10% of your purchase to MAM.
193 Broadway, Farmington, open 10:00-5:00
Friday Oct. 3
Maine Archives & Museums Conference
Olsen Student Center, University of Maine at Farmington
111 South Street, Farmington
8:30-9:00 Registration & Continental Breakfast
9:00-9:30 Welcome/Opening Plenary
9:45-10:45 Session Block A
11:00-12:00 Session Block B
12:00-1:00 Lunch
1:00-2:00 Keynote
2:15-3:15 Session Block C
3:15-4:00 Afternoon Coffee Break Sponsored by the Clement & Linda McGillicuddy Humanities Center and the Osher Map Library & Smith Center for Cartographic Education
4:00-5:00 Session Block D
Registration includes a box lunch which includes one of the following options, chips, apple, dessert, and a beverage.
- Classic Turkey Club (smoked turkey with Swiss cheese, bacon, lettuce, tomato and mayonnaise on sourdough bread, 550 cal)
- Smoked Ham, Brie, and Apple on Sourdough (smoked ham with brie cheese, Granny Smith apple, baby arugula, and Dijonnaise on sourdough bread, 520 cal)
- Tandoori Cauliflower and Pepper Wrap - Vegan (tandoori spiced cauliflower, roasted red pepper mayo, baby spinach, and red peppers in a flour tortilla, 300 cal)
- Quinoa Salad - Vegan (quinoa with tomato, red pepper, hominy, cilantro, and sherry vinaigrette over mixed greens, 190 cal)
Full Friday Schedule Here
MAM strives to make the conference as affordable as possible while still offering a high-quality event. If the cost of registration is a burden to you or your institution, please reach out to info@mainemuseums.org and we will do our best to accommodate you.
