Heritage Sandy Springs Joins History Relevance Movement

SANDY SPRINGS, GA — Heritage Sandy Springs has joined more than 240 historical organizations around the country in endorsing the History Relevance “Value of History” statement, declaring importance of teaching and learning history.

The statement includes seven distinct tenets delineating critical ways the study of history is essential to individuals, communities, and our shared future. Endorsement of the statement emphasizes an organization’s commitment to elevating the value of history in American society.

Since 2014, History Relevance has empowered history organizations of all kinds to better articulate the value of history, providing a common language that expresses how history is not just “nice”— it’s essential. History creates a sense of awareness and identity, cultivates critical thinking and analytical skills, and lays the groundwork for strong, healthy communities. History preserves the past and sparks inspiration for the future.

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“We have been committed to promoting Sandy Springs history for nearly 35 years,” said Keith Moore, Director of Historic Resources & Education Programs at Heritage Sandy Springs. “From our education programs at the Heritage Sandy Springs Museum to our beautiful historic park to the community events that we hold every month, we believe that our local history can teach, it can inspire, and it can build and preserve a strong foundational community for future generations."

The organization's most recent effort to make history relevant, Moore said, is the Sandy Springs Gazette project, which publishes articles based on oral histories and archival materials from Sandy Springs residents. The second volume, Currents of Change, was released in May.

"We hope to continue our education programs and community events — most of which are free to the public — to strengthen, engage, and enhance the legacy of Sandy Springs," Moore added.

History Relevance comprises more than 200 like-minded organizations around the world, from the Smithsonian Institution and National Archives to local and regional historical societies and museums. Through collective action, the organization advances the belief that history has greater impact when it connects the people, events, places, stories, and ideas of the past with people, events, places, stories, and ideas that are important and meaningful to communities, people, and audiences today.

History fans can support this effort with the #HistoryRelevance Social Campaign. To learn more about Heritage Sandy Springs’ many historic initiatives, visit www.heritagesandysprings.org. For more information about History Relevance, go to www.historyrelevance.com.

Image via Heritage Sandy Springs