Thanks for posting this interesting link, Linda. But I don't think the guy visiting all the museums in Connecticut is really an ordinary visitor. My experience is that most people visit old houses because they have an interest in old furniture, architecture, genealogy, and/or local history. They like "old stuff," and they enjoy hearing stories about people from the past. This guy admits most of that bores him.

What makes historic house tours not boring? Guides with a talent for telling a story and connecting with visitors; in-depth research to provide interesting and meaningful details about the time and place interpreted; and moving above the level of a one-size-fits-all approach to giving tours to specialization by audience type. For me, the interpreter is the key. A great house with an interesting collection can still be boring if the guide lacks knowledge or can't relate to visitors and give each group a personalized experience. 

In my former job we kept a guest book for visitor comments. Many raved about the house or the gardens, but more wrote praise and thank-yous to the guides who gave their tours.

Elizabeth
ex-historic house manager, but still interested


 -------------- Original message ----------------------
From: Linda Norris <[log in to unmask]>
> Hi All--
> 
> For a glance at what an ordinary visitor thinks, check out this blog:
> 
> http://www.ctmuseumquest.com/
> It's by a guy who's working to visit all the museums in Connecticut, his
> home state, and there are many historic houses among them.
> Thanks for Susie Wilkenning of Reach Advisors, for pointing me to this.
> 
> Linda
> 
> 
> On Thu, Jun 12, 2008 at 3:37 PM, Dan Schoeneberg <
> [log in to unmask]> wrote:
> 
> > I would also be curious to find out what our audiences think about this.
> > We've been discussing what WE find interesting about house tours (or
> > what we find boring) however we are automatically a self selecting
> > audience by the very fact that we are in the field that develops such
> > tours.
> >
> > We have done audience surveys here at my institution, however has
> > anyone else polled their visitors to see what they are interested in
> > learning about on such tours? What makes it relevant to them, and what
> > sparks conversation in them about your individual stories? (Be it
> > history, art, science, etc.?) I'd be interested to hear what you all in
> > this esteemed group has to say about this as well!
> >
> > Just a few thoughts on a Thursday.
> >
> > Cheers,
> >
> > Dan
> >
> >
> >
> > Dan Schoeneberg
> > Experience Research Manager
> >
> > Conner Prairie
> > 13400 Allisonville Road
> > Fishers, Indiana
> > 46038
> > [log in to unmask]
> > www.connerprairie.org
> >
> > Discover all the fun and excitement of Conner Prairie. Visit
> > www.connerprairie.org for details!
> >
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> 
> 
> -- 
> Read my blog:
> uncatalogedmuseum.blogspot.com
> 
> Linda Norris
> Riverhill
> PO Box 232
> Treadwell, NY 13846
> 607-829-3501
> [log in to unmask]
> www.riverhillpartners.com
> 
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