The West Chester consulting firm RC Taylor Group has gifted the Chester County Historical Society with an educational outreach program, the StEPs Initiative, aimed at strengthening the museum and up to a hundred history organizations and commissions in the county.

The program, to begin early this year, is a capacity building program for history organizations developed by the American Association for State and Local History.

Over two years, CCHS will work in partnership with the Conservation Center for Art and Historical Artifacts in leading a series of workshops for six Chester County history organizations using the Standards and Excellence Program for History Organizations.

The program, based on the American Alliance of Museums Standards for Excellence, moves museums toward excellence in their missions, vision, governance audience, interpretation, stewardship and management.

“The RC Taylor Group is privileged to be involved in this new initiative – and more broadly to be linked with CCHS as they redefine the role and relevance of history as we all move forward,” said Stuart Brooks, owner of the RC Taylor Group.  Their vast collections are only surpassed by their commitment to preservation and presentation.  CCHS is on the move toward pre-eminence in its field, and Chester County will be the beneficiary.”

Rob Lukens, CCHS president, said CCHS is grateful for the firm’s support, which will allow it to play a central role in aligning important professional development resources for the county’s historical organizations with those who can benefit from them.

As a result, local history organizations will implement professionally accepted approaches to caring for and interpreting local culture. CCHS says the network will provide stronger museum advocacy, with history organizations speaking as one voice in the community.  Professional connections will enable increased access to existing resources and history networks.

The RC Taylor Group is focused on leadership development, executive coaching, and specialized aspects of corporate training and development.  Founded in Chester County over 25 years ago, the firm works with senior and emerging leaders and teams to build inspiring, motivating, productive, highly successful workplaces.