Ward Museum Speakers Bureau
The Ward Museum is proud to offer presentations about the Museum and its subject areas as part of our Speakers Bureau. Schedule a talk for your workplace or community groups. Our presentations are informative and fun!
Each of the Speakers Bureau talks are thoroughly researched and prepared by individual speakers. The availability of the talk you request depends on the availability of that particular speaker. We require a minimum of three weeks advance for scheduling. Our speakers can accommodate a minimum of 10 and a maximum of 80 audience members.
The Speakers Bureau fee is $75 per talk. For talks scheduled outside of Wicomico County, there is a minimum $25 travel fee.
Also, view a flyer of the Ward Museum Speakers Bureau presentation list.
The museum offers the following presentations:
A Day in the Life of a Museum Curator
Many people wonder what a curator does or what it would be like to work as a museum curator. A curator is often considered the “intellectual” of an institution, but overseeing the day-to-day activities of an exhibits program means that a curator may be conducting scholarly research one minute and assembling a cardboard display the next. This lecture examines a typical workday for a curator and shares what it takes to become one.
An Exploration of Decoy History
Whether used as hunting tools, examined as historical artifacts, or admired as works of art, decoys are inseparable from their historical context. Often represented as having evolved from the tools of Native Americans to today’s works of art, the history of the decoy is far more rich and complex. This lecture presents the background of Nevada’s Lovelock Cave decoys, some of the archaeological evidence for decoy use in prehistoric France and ancient Greece, and a look at some of the many other wildfowl carving traditions around the world.
The Ward Brothers: From Lifetime Artists to Community Legends
Learn about the Ward brothers' unique story as artists and community supporters whose gifts continue to excite all generations. This multi-media presentation includes original poetry and carved art from the Ward Museum, demonstrating the value of life-long learning and community contribution for all generations beyond our own lifetimes.
Life Stories: Passing our Stories to the Next Generation
Learn the art of life story interviews and why life stories are important to the story-teller, their family and our community heritage. Gain tips on how to set the stage for the interview, recording it and presenting it in print and other mediums for particular audiences.
Introduction to Backyard Bird Feeding
In this introduction to backyard bird feeding, discover why bird feeding is a popular hobby. Learn about different feeder and food options for birds, how to create bird-friendly backyard habitats, how to baffle squirrels, and how to provide safe bird-feeding environments.
Top 20 Feeder Birds in the Mid-Atlantic Region
Discover the top 20 birds that visit feeders based on data collected by Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s Project FeederWatch. You will learn about identification, distribution, food preferences of these 20 birds. A common feeder bird’s poster is available with additional charge of $2.50 each.
Learning Takes Flight
The Ward Museum is a crucial interdisciplinary learning resource for the Delmarva Peninsula. Through educational programs, the museum explores the human response to nature in a way that connects artistic, cultural, and environmental sensitivities learned from the past, made relevant to the present and passed to future generations. Discover how the museum is leading the way in connecting youth and adults to the art, nature and tradition of Eastern Shore through engaging, hands-on programming.
Volunteer Coordination: Matching Talents and Desires with Needs and Demands
Learn how to recruit, train and utilize volunteers over the long term. As the needs and demands for every organization change over time, so do the human resources found in students, working adults and retired persons. Learn what attracts each group to an organization, how to determine which talents and experiences they want to share, and how they wish to be recognized for their contributions.
What is Folklore? 
This is probably the question most frequently asked of people who study and work with folklore. Here's how it usually goes: "So, what do you do?" "I’m a folklorist." "Hmmm. Interesting…..so, what is folklore, anyway?” Learn what folklore really means and how it is used to link the past, the present, and the futures of communities, families, and individuals.
To request a speaker:
E-mail: WardEducation@salisbury.edu
Phone: (410)742-4988 ext. 110
Scheduling a follow-up docent-led tour at the museum is encouraged to complment and enhance your groups learning experience. To better accomodate your request, a minimum of three weeks advance notice is suggested. The lecture fee is $75.