Wyck hosts symposium on community engagement through agriculture

Last Friday Wyck House, a National Historic Landmark, hosted a symposium for historic preservationists and museum professionals.  The goal of the symposium was to help non-profit organizations use innovation, entrepreneurial thinking and creative strategies to develop and implement agricultural programming. The event focused on how organizations could use agriculture as an impetus for growth in community involvement, fund-raising and visitorship.

 The symposiuim drew guests from historic sites and museums in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Delaware and Maryland. The Jane Addams Hull-House Museum, Temple University’s Fox School of Business, The Wyck Association, Awbury Arboretum, Weavers Way Food-Coop and Grumblethrope were the presenters at the event.

“There is great potential for agriculture and food-based programs to bring a new relevance to our museums and historic sites and bring in more diverse audiences,” said Lisa Junkin, Education Coordinator, Jane Addams Hull-House Museum.

After talks about community outreach and ways to attract more community members attendees participated in a panel discussion and question and answer session.

“The discussion was really an opportunity for organizations to share their ideas & challenges and to brainstorm on alternatives,” Louise Tritton, of the  Fox School of Business.

 While Wyck House has been succesful in showcasing the houses agricultural heritage Kristin Hagar, Development & Communications Coordinator at Wyck will continute to  encourage Germantown residents to explore  the unique house and its farm and gardens. “We’re the only place in Northwest Philly where you can buy incredibly fresh fruits, vegetables and herbs at below-market prices and explore the area out back where they were just picked using the same traditional methods used on the site 200 years ago”.