We provide seating at several places and allow visitors to sit on the stairs
if appropriate. It is much appreciated by everyone, helps to focus attention
on the guide, discourages wandering around and/or sitting on the collection
and allows people with mobility difficulties greater access to the house.
We use "museum stool" brand seating. These are sturdy, stackable and
obviously not historic.  We provide seating in about 1/4 of the spaces but
will tote around a portable chair if anyone needs to sit in each space.  We
do not allow visitors to cart around their own stools because our collection
is open and we are afraid they will bang their chair into stuff. We have
found that seating is the deciding factor for some visitors. Elderly
visitors are leery of the standing and walking --especially since we have
two flights of stairs, but change their mind when we let them know seating
is available. I highly recommend providing seating!  Toward the end of the
tour the guide sits with the visitors which adds a wonderful intimacy to the
tour story, especially at the end!

Erin Crissman
Curator
Historic Cherry Hill
523 1/2 South Pearl St.
Albany, NY 12202
518.434.4791 telephone
518.434.4806 fax
[log in to unmask]
www.historiccherryhill.org


-----Original Message-----
From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On
Behalf Of Mary Agnes Beach
Sent: Thursday, March 31, 2005 10:42 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: seating in historic house museums


Hello Listers.  I am interested in your opinions and experience with
providing/not providing seating on historic house tours.  Thanks.

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