LAM Annual Meeting and Conference Schedule
Lake Charles
Sunday, September 14-Tuesday, September 16, 2025
Sunday 09/14/2025: Opening reception at the Historic City Hall Arts &
Cultural Center, 6:00- 8:00 pm
1001 Ryan Street, Lake Charles, LA 70601
Monday 09/15/2025: The Children’s Museum at Port Wonder
8:00-9:00am Registration (coffee and snacks provided)
9:00-9:45am The Winding Path of “Doing History”- Elista Istre
For many museum professionals, “doing history” is not a linear path from classroom to curator. In fact, sometimes we get thrown into situations we feel ill-prepared for, we face unexpected opportunities that challenge us in unusual ways, or we may even take unanticipated twists and turns right in the middle of what we thought was a set course. Yet, these varied experiences, whether predicted or not, can create a fulfilling career and a lifetime of memories while “doing history” for ourselves and the individuals and institutions we serve.
If you’re thinking about a career in the museum field, if you’re still testing the waters on your recent career selection, if you’re already mid-career and looking back, wondering about your life choices, or if you’re struggling with burnout or frustration at any point in
your journey, come check out this session to explore options for maintaining your sanity and well-being while pursuing your passion(s), no matter what your job title or level of experience is!
10:00-10:45am Dealing with Disasters and Insurance- Jennae Biddiscombe
11:00-11:45am Interpreting Christmas at Museums and Historic Sites and
its Impact on Communities- Karen Leathem and Haley R.
Mason
In keeping with this year’s LAMCON theme of “Doing History,” we are here to discuss “doing Christmas” and how what we present as museum professionals to the public in terms of research, programming, and outward displays can impact community. This session is inspired by the publication, Interpreting Christmas at Museums and Historic Sites which is part of the American Association for State and Local History (AASLH) Interpreting History series which provides expert guidance for practitioners to help them expand their interpretation to be more inclusive of the range of American history.
12:00-2:30pm Keynote Speaker and Annual Meeting & Awards Luncheon
Imperial Calcasieu Museum
204 W. Sallier Street, Lake Charles, LA 70601
12:15-12:30pm Welcome & Annual meeting
12:30-1:15pm Keynote Speaker – Robert Freeland – Spanish Heritage in Louisiana (America250)
1:15-2:30pm Awards presentation
Afternoon session: The Children’s Museum at Port Wonder
3:00-4:30pm Anne L. Mahoney, Karla Oesch, Misty Pride, Stephen Billeaud
This panel will present 4 different perspectives on provenance, with examples, cases, and stories from 4 related fields of provenance work.
The final presentation will help new and non-collections museum professionals understand provenance and how to consult other fields for provenance research.
Evening Reception: The Children’s Museum at Port Wonder
6:00-8:00 PM
Evening Excursion
8:00-9:00pm
Haunted Museum after Dark Tour at the Imperial Calcasieu Museum
Tuesday 09/13/2025: The Children’s Museum at Port Wonder
8:00-9:00am Registration (coffee and snacks provided)
9:00-9:45am Session to be lead by Architect of the Children’s Museum at Port Wonder
10:00-10:45am Guided tour of the Nature and Science Center at Port
Wonder
11:00am- end of day