Join us for a screener and discussion of "Discovering 18th & Vine in Kansas City: stories of African American history and culture," part of a PBS series called Visions of America: all people, all stories, all places.  In this episode, we're in Kansas City, Missouri's historic 18th & Vine neighborhood to visit not one, but two museums that chronicle this community's contributions to a pair of uniquely American pastimes: the Negro League Baseball Museum and the American Jazz Museum. 

The 26-minute screener will be followed by a discussion of the episode.  We will be joined in this conversation by Christopher J. Miller, Executive Vice President of the African American Museum in Philadelphia; Kathryn Lynch, Collections Manager for the Museum of the American Revolution in Philadelphia; Ellen Endslow is the Director of Collections/Curator at the Chester County History Center, West Chester, PA. 

Light refreshments will be served at the event.  Registration is required.  Henrietta Hankin Library supports PA Forward Social and Civic Literacy. 

About our guest discussion panelists: Christopher J. Miller is an accomplished museum professional with more than nineteen years of public history and museum experience, now serving as Executive Vice President at the African American Museum in Philadelphia. He previously served as the Senior Director of Education & Community Engagement at the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center in Cincinnati, Ohio. A notable public historian, scholar, and storyteller, Miller is uniquely qualified to bring historical context to today's most provocative social issues. With a history of regularly appearing on local and national media as a contributor, Miller aptly shares his breath of knowledge to address topics from race relations to historical milestones, and the integration of innovated approaches to academics within the discipline of social studies. Miller was a primary feature in the inaugural Black History Honors, Stellar's TV 4-part docuseries honoring heroes of the Underground Railroad and featuring musical tributes by award-winning gospel music artists. Miller earned his M.A. in Public History and his B.A. in English from Northern Kentucky University. He has a passion for African American history and understands its authentic value within the narrative of humanity. He is a husband, father of three daughters, and a life member of Alpha Phi Alpha, Fraternity Inc. 

Kathryn Lynch - Prior to joining the Museum of the American Revolution as the Collections Manager in 2022, Kathryn Lynch worked in registration and collections management at the James A. Michener Art Museum, the Princeton University Art Museum, the Peabody Essex Museum, and the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum. Over the past fifteen years, Kathryn has worked closely with conservators, mount makers, preparators, educators, designers, and curators to create dozens of museum exhibitions. In her current role, Kathryn is responsible for loan logistics and contracts; artifact shipping; managing the records for artifacts in the museum's custody and collections, as well as for the safety, care, and security of those items; and contributes to exhibition planning, installations, and scheduling. Kathryn recently finished working on an exhibition called "Black Founders: the Forten family of Philadelphia", and is delighted to share her experience in illuminating and revealing African American history in museums.  

Ellen Endslow - As the Director of Collections/Curator at the Chester County History Center, West Chester, PA, Ellen is responsible for the museum collection and oversees the library and photo archives. Ellen works extensively with the community on exhibition, oral history, and program development, which includes documentation days for a variety of topics. She also develops social media and website content that provides outreach and interaction with even broader, diverse audiences. Ellen supervises collections management activities with community volunteers and student interns. She has been active in the American Alliance of Museums and the American Association for State and Local History. Prior to working in Chester County, Ellen worked at the Fairfield Museum and History Center, Fairfield, CT, and the Buffalo History Museum, Buffalo, NY.