What We Do

We are storytellers, weaving narratives that connect communities and conserve cultural and environmental legacies. We collaborate with diverse creative partners, including museums and exhibit designers, to find funding for and then develop outstanding visitor experiences that leave a lasting impact.

Our team of professional writers at Hands-on Heritage comes from diverse backgrounds, bringing expertise in military history, sports, natural science, conservation, archaeology, Native American studies, art history, religion, politics, technology, and mass communications. This breadth of knowledge allows us to create engaging and informative content across various subjects.

Our Grant Division turns funding aspirations into actionable strategies and successful outcomes. Obtaining grant funding can be competitive and complex, slowing a legacy project down. Our team comprises seasoned professionals with extensive experience in grant research, development, advocacy, and administration. We specialize in identifying and applying for foundational, local, state, and federal funding. 

We understand that every project is unique, so we prioritize flexibility and adaptability in our services. We are committed to tailoring our work to align with your goals, resources, and needs.

At Hands-on Heritage, we’re not just about projects; we’re about stories. We partner with diverse clients, including for-profit companies, non-profit organizations, communities, government entities, and higher education institutions. Our projects, whether they’re large or small, are all about bringing stories to life. As professional writers, we’re dedicated to conducting in-depth research to uncover and share stories that bridge the past, present, and future.

We provide management support and services to complete projects within budget and on time. Our abilities include researching, writing, interviewing, and digital storytelling. We are adept at planning and implementing projects, collaborating with team members, developing measurable goals and objectives, monitoring progress, and evaluating project success from inception to opening day. Contact us for a consultation.

Lance Van Auken gives Torii Hunter a tour of the Hall of Excellence and Former Astronaut Dr. Story Musgrave’s exhibit at World of Little League Museum. 

Grant Development & Submission

Hands-on Heritage turns funding aspirations into actionable strategies and successful outcomes. Our commitment goes beyond securing funds; we build and maintain lasting relationships with our clients, offering continuous support and guidance to help you achieve sustained success. We value your partnership and are here to help you unlock the potential of grant funding, enabling your organization to thrive and make a significant impact. Securing grant funding can be competitive and complex, but our specialized Grant Division is your steadfast partner. Our team comprises seasoned professionals with extensive experience in grant research, development, and submission. We specialize in local, state, and federal funding. Learn more about Grant Development here >>

Writing & Content Development

Are you planning a museum or exhibit and need help with content research and writing? We collaborate with museum staff and exhibit designers to create exceptional visitor experiences. Our professional writers research, interpret, and develop creative content, from captions and artifact identifications to summaries and narratives for scripts or displays.

Project Management

As proficient project managers, we specialize in developing and selecting museum content that integrates with exhibit design, shop fabrication, graphics production, and on-site installation. We excel at tracking project details and coordinating with design team members to ensure projects stay on schedule and within budget.

Exhibit Catalogs

Our museum design and communication background enhances our ability to understand our clients’ needs. We possess superior interviewing, writing, and book development skills, and enjoy crafting exhibit catalogs. As digital storytellers, we can photograph artifacts, write or edit captions, research and write interior content, and paginate books using industry-standard software. We can assist in documenting the past and influencing the future.

Corporate Histories & Management Memoirs

Successful companies often need brief corporate histories for in-house use. Additionally, some corporations may require an in-depth book for wider distribution. If you need a specialist to chronicle and illustrate your company’s story for publication, we can guide both new and existing book projects. If your company leader has a compelling story or captivating executive viewpoint to share, consider capturing it in a memoir. All organizations have a history, but not all have a heritage. We can help conserve, protect, promote, and profit from your organization’s story and history.

Landmark Planning

If your organization has an important anniversary approaching, such as a centennial or bicentennial, we can help unify the past, present, and future into a significant commemoration. We offer assistance with designing functions, publications, promotions, and memorabilia for such events. In addition to our communication services, we have experience in developing print books, eBooks, photo scrapbooks, video scrapbooks, multimedia projects, brochures, pamphlets, and manuals. We enjoy working with and preserving artifacts and old photographs as “digital archaeologists.”

Research & Records

If you need expert assistance in locating critical historical records, photographs, newspaper articles, documents, advertisements, books, or other memorabilia related to your organization’s past, we are here to help. We can investigate for you using resources ranging from the Library of Congress and National Archives to your local courthouse, newspaper, and historical society.

Oral History Programs

Our oral history program aims to capture the wisdom of the people who have built your community, business, or association. With decades of journalism experience, we have conducted taped interviews with over 500 individuals, including veterans, celebrities, executives, officials, policymakers, support staff, and individuals.

Event Planning & Workshops

We enjoy planning events and collaborating with volunteers and staff to develop legacy programming for heritage activities, educational workshops, and public archaeology experiences.

Corporate Communications

If you need a new website or want to develop a winning brand for a new product, we offer general corporate communication services. We can work on an “as-needed basis” or retainer when you require professional public relations or general marketing services. We can help you establish social media platforms to enhance your company’s public presence, teach you the proper type of content, and advise you on how to share it effectively. We can write, co-author, or ghostwrite an article on any topic.