Suffrage Banner Workshops

Adding decorative stitching to a beautiful design by Spoonflower maker Vincent Desjardins.

Sewing is a traditional women’s skill, which allowed women to make not only an income for themselves but to create a voice for themselves. Fabric banners were integral to the women’s rights movement in the 1800/1900s around the world. 

Learn about the iconography of the suffrage movement in America and create a banner as an homage to the women of the past and advocate for the women of today at a Suffrage Banner Workshop.

Suffrage Banner Workshop participants will celebrate the 100th anniversary of the 19th amendment (women’s right to vote) and learn about the history of women’s rights and activism. Not all women were granted the right to vote in 1920, women of color could not vote until the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

Workshop participants will be able to use patterned fabric provided by Spoonflower to create bold banners inspired by the past.

Delving into the history of women’s rights from before the suffrage movement to today, workshop participants will learn about people, places, and the iconography tied to to the banners. All attendees will be guided through the creation of  small (14x20) banners that can pay homage to a woman of the past, reinterpret a historic banner, or advocate for women’s rights today. Workshop materials are partially sponsored by Spoonflower. 

The banner to the left is my spin on a suffrage banner that is a part of the Minnesota Historical Society's collection, which says “MOTHER IS THE BEST EVER BUT NOT GOOD ENOUGH TO VOTE.” This banner was used by the Saint Paul Political Equality Club and I was drawn to this very tongue in cheek way to argue for women’s right to vote.

Reach  out to me@sarahmarsom.com to schedule a workshop. 

Featured in 6sqft's 2019 Holiday Gift Guide

A big thanks to 6sft for including the Tiny Activist Project in their 2019 Holiday Gift Guide. Do you know someone who loves New York or lives in New York? If you answered “yes,” this gift guide is for you!

Click here to view the full list.

Featured In Archinect's 2019 Holiday Gift Guide

Are you looking for a holiday gift for an architecture enthusiast? Check out Archinect’s comprehensive gift guide. I appreciate them including the Tiny Activist Project! The list has me wondering if I’m too old for a dollhouse….

Gift Guide for Tiny Pei Fans of All Ages

Are you not sure what to get the modern design enthusiast in your life? Maybe an architect who has it all? Or are you wanting to foster an appreciation for design in your best friend’s kid? Whether you are shopping for a baby shower, the holidays, or a birthday gift, you’ll find something for the modernist in your life.

Shhh… don’t tell my friend, but I bought this for her as a baby shower gift!

Baby’s First Eames, All Ages

It is never too early to teach a child the alphabet or famous designers. This board book is an ideal introduction to architecture concepts. With its bright colors both adults and babies will be captivated.

Columbus, 13y/o+ (there is brief backside nudity)

Pop some popcorn! A movie night is a great gift and Columbus, the movie, is the best way to visit Columbus, Indiana, without actually having to be there! The movie thoughtfully weaves a fictional narrative throughout the town’s iconic modern architecture. Don’t just take my word, Columbus is Certified Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes. Columbus is currently available for streaming on Hulu and Kanopy if you prefer digital.

Iggy Peck Architect, 5 y/o+

I love every book that is a part of the The Questioneers series. Iggy Peck Architect is full of whimsy and encourages creating from anything/everything. The text not only inspires, it educates on different types of architecture - both vernacular and iconic. To further foster creativity, pair with Iggy Peck’s Big Project Book for Amazing Architects (best for ages 5-7).

Tiny I.M. Pei, All Ages (supervise with children under 5, it is a handmade doll after all)

Are you looking for a new urban exploring buddy? An office direction to bring a smile to your face? A fun character to help out during story time? Whether you want treat yo’ self to a Tiny I.M. Pei or give one as a gift, this doll will delight. + 15% of every doll contributes to the Tiny Activist Project scholarship program.

I.M. Pei: Mandarin of Modernism, 16 y/o+

Go beyond Pei’s architecture and learn about where he came from, what brought him to America, his studies, and so much more! By gaining a greater appreciation of an architect, you will gain a greater appreciation for their architecture. There is no better time than now, to learn more about I.M. Pei.

Which Conference is For You? v.2.0

With every conference I attend, I find myself better understanding my professional wants and needs. Last year I gave mini reviews of four national preservation conferences (click here to read), but this year I wanted to delve into some strategies to help you decide on what conferences could benefit your professional growth. 

Ask yourself “What are my goals?” 

• Are you a professional happy with your current job, but looking to further your knowledge on a specific topic?

• Have you recently finished a project you are proud of and that you think could benefit others (the process, the end result, etc.)?

• Are you an emerging professional looking to make that leap from student to a full-time employee?

• Maybe you are the only practitioner of your specialty at your work place and you are looking to network worth with others who share your interests?

• Do you run a business and you are interested in acquiring new clients?

Whatever your reason for attending a conference is, your goals likely boil down to one or more of these categories: education, procuring work, or networking. For each goal, I’m going to offer a few strategies for identifying what conference is right for you and providing preservation conference suggestions. 

I enjoyed a bike tour during FORUM in Des Moines (2018); I highly recommend signing up for tours and hands-on experiences during conferences. Experiential education can spark some of the best ideas.

Education

• While conference content changes annually, you can get the general gist of things by looking at past conference agendas. These can frequently be found online.

• Ask your peers! I highly recommend joining the Historic Preservation Professionals Facebook group and asking the network of almost 4,000 members if they have suggestions on where to further learn about x-topic and if there are any specific conference recommendations. Peer feedback is invaluable when selecting what conference to attend.

Recommendation: If you are looking to further your understanding about historic district commissions, architecture review guidelines, and preservation ordinances, I recommend attending the National Alliance for Preservation Commissions conference, FORUM, which is every other year. FORUM will be hosted in Tacoma July 22-26, 2020.

The Place Shapers Retreat in Detroit had hand painted motivational banners hanging in the session rooms, creating a warm environment.

Procuring Work

Whether you are looking for full time employment or are seeking clients for your business, conferences can be a great place for you to be.

• Select a conference based on where it is located. Ex: If you want to work in Michigan, go to the Michigan Historic Preservation Network’s annual conference.

• Select a conference based on its content. If you are looking for nonprofit advocacy work, consider going to the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s PastForward.

• Look for a job board or ways to identify yourself as someone hiring and/or seeking a job. IDEAL ’19 had a job board on site and attendees could add stickers to their name badges that indicated if their organization was hiring or if they were seeking a job.

• Stay on top of conference session submission deadlines. The best way to pitch your work is to show it off. Your presentation should show off your work, illuminate others on your expertise, and give away a few helpful tidbits that attendees use to benefit their work right now. Your session may help an organization hire you OR be a way to encourage people to reach out to you as a topic expert (not everyone who presents is looking for a new job, but being a topical expert is badass).  

Recommendation: It takes a bit of time to figure out the best way to pitch yourself. Be willing to try new conferences. In 2020, I will be attending the National Council for Public History conference for the first time. I’m attending NCPH based on my peers saying it has valuable educational content and because I want to see if their attendees (museum professionals, historic site managers, and other cultural institution employees) may be prospective clients or creative partners. This conference checks all three of my conference goals for 2020 - education, pitching, and networking. 

Networking

Tyrell Anderson of the Decay Devils and I got a chance to catch up at PastForward in Denver this year. We have built our friendship to extend beyond conferences and in 2020, we will be partnering on a Rust Belt Takeover in Gary, Indiana.

• Networking is not just about finding a job, it is about making friends! Smaller conferences are easier for cultivating meaningful relationships, because you are more likely to repeatedly see someone throughout the day, sit in the same sessions, and potentially eat a meal together.

• Pick out sessions, tours, or special events that directly align with your special interests. The people who are in those spaces have shared interests, so if for example you are in a session on radical women - chances are you have a great conversation starting off point! Ask why they selected x- session and find out if their attendance connect to a work project or something else.

Recommendation: Ticco’s Place Shapers retreats restrict attendance; I enjoyed attending the Place Shapers retreat in Detroit. With a capacity of 50-attendees the retreat presented a variety of intimate settings for conversations including a large group dinner at a retro style diner.

Once you hone in on your goals it is time to create a conference budget. Check out my blog Buying Down Conference Costs for a few tips on planning ahead and saving some cash.

The Boston Preservation Alliance Gift Guide

I am pleased as punch to have my Tiny Activist Projects dolls included in the Boston Preservation Alliance’s Gift Guide. “Is there a preservationist in your life? Or maybe you love architecture, history, and unique Boston stories as much as we do. If either of these is the case, then this is THE gift guide for you. (No worries, we won't judge if you buy a few of these items for yourself.)” Click this link to see what other gifts they think a preservationist would love this holiday season.

Featured on Curbed!

Tiny I.M. Pei loved visiting Exhibit Columbus!

A huge THANK YOU to Curbed for featuring my work and helping announce the launch of Tiny I.M. Pei.

“What is the mark of a truly illustrious architecture career? A Pritzker Prize? An art museum or two? Perhaps. But you really know you’ve made it when you’ve got a tiny stuffed doll in your likeness.” Click here to read the full article.

Top 5 Conference Sessions of 2019

Looking back on all 11! conferences I attended in 2019, I was amazed to see what sessions stuck with me. Some of these sessions were practical and some were inspirational. Check out my top five below and click here to view my top five from 2018!

Photo Credit: Caitlin Meives

Preserving Tangible and Intangible Heritage; Frederick and Anna Murray Douglass as a Case Study

Where: Preservation New York State Conference

Who: Michelle Furlano, Hinda Mandell, Shawn Dunwoody, Autumn Haag, Juilee Decker

Why: What do you do when a building is gone and all that is left is a parking lot? One option is to engage creatives and try temporary interventions to determine permanent solutions. The out of the box thinking showcased in this session left me inspired and excited for the future of preservation. Click this link to view an activation of the Douglass home site I participated in this year. 

Dodge City is known for its cowboys, which made for a lively conference location.

Garlinghouse: A Thematic Study

Where: Kansas Historic Preservation Conference

Who: Emily Lenhausen

Why: As the need to preserve 20th century buildings increases, it is important to know best strategies to survey and research these assets. Garlinghouse: A Thematic Study showcased the work of Emily Lenhausen (part of the Rosin Preservation team) to research, survey, and document homes that were built from Garlinghouse plans. Emily delved into everything from how the team identified character defining features to how the work led to a community effort to remove aluminum siding from a Garlinghouse! A very practical session that showcased an interesting piece of history.

Creating Inclusive Makerspaces, Bathroom Wars and Peeing in Peace: Proposed Best Practices for Gender-free Restrooms in Libraries, Stop the Thumb Scroll: Creating Inclusive and Accessible Social Media Content

Where: IDEAL ’19: Advancing Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessbility in Libraries & Archives

Who: Sarah Nagle, Selene Colburn, Shelly Black

Why: Okay…this is kind of cheating my top 5, but with each of these presentations only being 15-minutes and paired in the same time block, I think this is an okay loophole. Every single presentation provided practical strategies to make your organization more inclusive. I learned how to test graphics to ensure they could be read by an individual who is color blind, how building codes can make creating gender-free restrooms difficult, and steps to making sure makers spaces are not just for people wanting to learn new technology. IDEAL ‘19 was my favorite conference in 2019, and these sessions are a small showcase of the practical strategies presented at this event.

Colorful row houses seen in Philadelphia during the fall Rust Belt Takeover.

The Joy of Color in Historic Places

Where: Congress for New Urbanism, CNU 27. Louisville

Who: John Gilderbloom

Why: Preservationists are eternal optimists, they see an old building that is falling apart and can envision a new life for it. Not everyone can see the possibilities so easily and this session was a great reminder of the impact paint can have! John’s presentation not only highlighted how a fresh coat of paint can increase chances of a fixer-upper being sold, it also show value comparisons between grey/black homes and colorful homes. Spoiler: colorful homes have a higher valuation! Click here to see John’s latest book on the topic, Chromatic Homes.

One of the pieces created by a student at my middle school workshop for the Create Columbus Arts Council.

Harnessing the Power of Primary Sources for your Historic Site with the Next Generation of Preservationists

Where: Saving Places Conference , Colorado’s statewide historic preservation conference

Who: Michelle Pearson, Keith Patterson, Dr.Peggy O’Neill-Jones, Kile Clabaugh, Cynthia Stout

Why: Do you want to engage K-12 audiences? Do you love the Library of Congress’ resources? Are you looking for funding to incorporate your site’s history to school curriculum? All of these topics were covered in this session and I highly recommend if you answered “yes” to those questions that you click this link and contact your region’s office for the Teaching with Primary Sources grant today. 

Window Zine #2 in Partnership with Indow

For the 2nd year in a row, I had the pleasure of working with Indow to produce a preservation themed zine. We encouraged people to submit photos, poetry, personal narratives, or any other artistic representation inspired by the warm glow of windows and neon.

I decided to pay homage to my favorite neighborhood bar with an illustration and a warning. While Lisska is described as a bar on the neon sign, it has evolved into primarily a breakfast diner. The neon sign has fooled me more times than I would like to admit, so head this warning!

To read the full Window Zine #2 click this link. You will love learning about the variety of ways people connect to the past.

The Window Zine partnership is an extension of Indow’s support of young preservationists* and I look forward to working with them in 2020 to produce an even bigger zine (stay tuned for our call for contributions).

Click here to read Window Zine #1 and learn how I define historic preservation.

*Indow has been the presenting sponsor of the young preservationist gathering I host at PastForward, the annual National Trust for Historic Preservation conference, for the past 3-years.

Ticco Guest Blog: Get Your Conference Game Face On

A mural I stumbled on while exploring Denver during the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s annual conference - PastForward.

With 2019, slowly coming to an end I am reflecting on what I have learned by being a regular conference attendee. My Ticco guest blog “Get Your Conference Game Face On” delves into a few simple tips to feeling your most confident self while networking.

“Conferences can be grueling! Two or more days of networking, showcasing your work (which feels like selling a part of you if you’re self employed), sitting in potentially uncomfortable chairs, and hoping the conference can accommodate your dietary restrictions… can feel like a lot.” Click here to keep reading!

Crafting Democracy: Rochester, New York

Photo Credit: Caitlin Meives

“Crafting Democracy seeks to demonstrate the ways in which craft is employed as a tool of expression that gives voice to people who seek an active role in democracy. ”

Curators Hinda Mandell and Juilee Decker organized a collaborative art installation to pay homage to the women of the Anti Slavery Sewing Society in Rochester, New York. Installed at the former site of Frederick Douglass’ home, over 40 people contributed a textile art square to pay homage to the past.

It was a pleasure to embroider a square that says “TELL THE FULL HISTORY” (seen below) as my contribution for the temporary art installation. .

My contribution to the Crafting Democracy temporary installation in Rochester, New York.

Photo Credit: Caitlin Meives

Photo Credit: Caitlin Meives

Other contributors chose to knit or crochet pieces. While some pieces were minimal, others included architecture, flowers, patterns, etc.

Temporary art installations allow storytellers to try new methods of raising awareness for the past in addition to encouraging a variety of contributors to creatively find their own way to tell the story.

To learn more about the history of craftivism, I highly recommend you read Crafting Dissent: Handicraft as Protest from the American Revolution to Pussyhats. I had an opportunity to read an advance copy of this text, which is a collection of essays edited by Hinda Mandell and it was not only inspiring, but it was illuminating. The texts highlight women’s history and influence over time through handicraft.

Rust Belt Coalition Featured in Issue 2 of MN Preservation

The National Trust for Historic Preservation has partnered with the Milwaukee Preservation Alliance to save the Mitchell Park Domes #saveourdomes

“When we think of historic buildings, a young

demographic doesn’t immediately come to mind.

Millennials and Generation Z-ers are infamous for

being addicted to technology, but also know how to

use it to their advantage better than any other age

group. By 2020, these two groups are predicted to

make up 50% of all donations in the U.S., while still

only making up roughly 20% of the population.1

This seems to be a positive outlook for nonprofits all

over the country, but it’s a little more complicated

than that…. Click here to read full article”

Guest Blog on Spoonflower!

“If you ever have the pleasure of meeting Sarah Marsom, the Ohio-based Heritage Resource Consultant and maker behind The Tiny Activist Project, it won’t take you long to see how passionate Sarah is about historical preservation. Through the creation of Tiny Jane, a cut-and-sew doll inspired by the writer and community activist Jane Jacobs, Sarah discovered how to seamlessly weave the rich history of the textile industry into her career of teaching others about the past. We can’t wait for you to get to know more about this Spoonflower maker and 2018 recipient of the American Express Aspire Award!”

Click here to keep reading.

Preservation Leadership Forum Guest Post

The National Trust for Historic Preservation asked me to share some thoughts about my work—and the field overall.

Since starting my path in historic preservation 10-years ago I have explored/worked/learned in a variety of capacities in the field to find out where *I* fit in the preservation movement. What I've discovered is that it is imperative for historic preservationists to make an effort to push the boundaries of what the field does and who we connect to.

Read my piece “Heritage Conservation for All Ages” to learn how my work as a heritage resource consultants strive to do just that.

Never hesitate to reach out with a potential collaboration or another opportunity to work together.

The Walkie Talkie coffee shop in Canton, Ohio, has transformed an old automotive space.

First, You Hustle - Podcast Guest

“First, You Hustle is a program from the Columbus College of Art & Design Career Services office to guide students on how to start their creative careers. “

Check out the First, You Hustle podcast episode “Connecting people to the past” to learn about how I entered the historic preservation field, what I’m working on, and tips for students who are interested in pursuing a historic preservation career (internships, classes, networking).

Featured in Revisted, an Eastern Michigan University magazine

“To understand the present, we need to understand the past. If we can impart that to people at a young age, we can help them become a force for the future of their communities.”

As a proud Eastern Michigan University graduate (M.S. ‘13), I am honored to be a featured alumni in their publication - Revisited. Click here to read the full article.

Modern Phoenix Week Recap!

Textile art was an integral part of many mid century women’s lives. Women created woven textiles, created unique fabric designs, sewed items for themselves/their home/their family, etc.  

This textile pattern was designed by Mia Valdez.

My desire to combine sewing with storytelling has inspired me to partner with Spoonflower and Modern Phoenix for a dynamic event in March 2019. Together we launched the Desert Modernism Design Challenge, which encouraged people to be inspired by the designs of the past to create their own repeating pattern for fabric.

600 entries from around the world submitted their interpretation of midcentury modern design in the desert. The images to the right is one of the beautiful designs submitted. 

The winning design by Cecilia Mok.

The winning design (selected by a public vote and jury process) was utilized for the Sew Modern! workshop hosted during the 2019 Modern Phoenix Week. Participants of all ages sewing skill levels learned a brief history of women who designed mid century modern textiles (professionally/ recreationally) in addition to being empowered to create their own pillow on a sewing machine. With the decline in sewing as a profession in America, it is important to reflect on how this traditional skill can empower people of today and assist them to create for their present. 

Some of the workshop participants holding their beautiful creations in Park Central Mall’s breezeway.

In addition to teaching a lesser told aspect of women’s history, the Sew Modern! workshop served as a proof of concept for an adaptation of a storefront into a maker’s space at the former Park Central Mall. Park Central Mall (1957) was Phoenix, Arizona’s first mall and was open until the mid-1990s. It is currently being redeveloped to be utilized as non-traditional office space, retail, community space, and more. 

Mayor Kate Gallego discussing her love of modernism.

The Sew Modern! workshop even included a visit by Phoenix’s mayor Kate Gallego, who expressed her support in the preservation of the city’s mid century modern assets. 

Workshop Partners: Modern Phoenix, Spoonflower, ArtLink, Garment League, Park Central Mall 

Preservation Destination Podcast Guest

“Preservation Destination is a podcast created and hosted by Taylor Voltz based in New Orleans, Louisiana. Recognizing a need for preservation conversations outside of academic and professional circles, Preservation Destination was created to provide quality preservation content to all types of listeners. “

It was a pleasure getting to chat preservation with Taylor for the 13th episode of Preservation Destination! We delve into how I entered the historic preservation field, what I’ve been working on, and how I think the field could improve. Click this link to listen to the full episode!

First Conference of 2019... Saving Places!

Colorado’s Saving Places conference was a wonderful way to launch 2019! With over 800-people in attendance, Saving Places is one of the largest statewide historic preservation conferences in the country. The conference attracts attendees from all over Colorado and America; there were 19-states represented this year. 

It was my pleasure to present “Junior Citizens: Creatively Connecting Children to Community” during the Saving Places conference! Delving into the strategies to develop programming for K-12 audiences, I decided to make this presentation… interactive! Ambassadors from the Preserve America Youth Summit helped break-out groups brainstorm one initiative that their respective organizations could launch within the next year to reach youth. 

A block print I made inspired by the Desert Hills motel in Tulsa, Oklahoma

After flexing our mental muscles, presentation attendees participated in a mini-workshop on creating preservation inspired prints. Attendees had the opportunity to learn a traditional print making technique and create a preservation themed piece, such as the neon sign in the photograph. One participant reached out to me via Instagram and said “ Your presentation was fabulous, I learned so much! I have my breezeway blocks and Desert  Hotel prints hanging over my desk to remind me to make history fun!” 

The conference not only presented the opportunity for me to help people think of preservation education from a different perspective, but for me to deepen my knowledge of false historical narratives. “New Threats to Cultural Resources: The Case of Ute Prayer Trees in Colorado and Disrespect to Native Cultures” was a profoundly educational and thought provoking session. 

Presenters delved into: how to discern human impact on trees, natural causes to distort tree growth and cause unusual shapes, and strategies to communicate with tribal members/tribal government to learn cultural traditions. Contrary to internet lore and inaccurate interpretive signage, the Ute tribe do not ascribe to the belief that the bent trees in Colorado are prayer trees. In addition to cultural memory, foresters are able to accurately date trees and provide irrefutable scientific evidence that the “Ute prayer trees” are too young to be part of early tribal cultural practices. To fight against false historical narratives tribal leaders from different bands of Ute have been working on public statements, which will be published in 2019. It is difficult to refute a false narrative once it has generated steam, but this session provided a wealth of information on how to thoughtfully investigate the authenticity of cultural resources and partner with tribal members/government to be advocates for the past. 

Attending Saving Places was a wonderful opportunity to better understand Colorado’s rich history, learn new preservation techniques, and discuss the importance of connecting the past to K-12 audiences.  Reach out to me via me@sarahmarsom.com to discuss outreach strategies for your organization or a potential speaking engagement.

Columbus Alive: Things We Love Feature

There is more to me than what meets the preservation eye! Find out what I love about living in Columbus, Ohio, and a bit about the Young Ohio Preservationists in my Columbus Alive: Things We Love article.

Spoiler Alert: The list definitely includes pierogis.