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Hi folks-

I'm currently working with Riley's Farm in Oak Glen, CA which has multiple living history/first person interpretation programs. I'm a seasonal interpreter but they do have year round staff as well. Let me emphasize again that I am a seasonal employee and my descriptions of my experience are my own opinions and observations. They run 200-900 visitors through their programs in a day. The largest program is on the Revolutionary War, followed in size by the Civil War and an "Old Joe" historic farm life program. There is a costume department with two full-time employees. To supplement the educational programs, they do dinner theater programs, and U-Pick produce sales in the fall.

I've been doing the Rev War program, so I will speak to the set-up of that one. They have a rotation of 6-9 stations depending on the number of visitors which educate groups on various topics such as Weaving, with a presentation on materials, dyeing, fabrics, etc. and has small hand looms for groups to try. Another topic is Etiquette, in which we teach the bow & curtsy, review George Washington's Rules of Civility and Decent Behavior, and take volunteers to learn a few basic steps (always sure to incite laughter with school groups!). Visiting groups are split into groups of 30-40 and labeled as 'townships' (Lexington, Concord, New York, etc.) in line with 1770's settlements. These townships are rotated through the activity stations. Each rotation is called a 'tour side.' Based on the visitor volume, there may be up to three tour sides in which the standard 6-9 stations are duplicated; e.g., a day with 2 sides will have two Weaving stations, two Etiquette stations, two Drilling stations, etc. Riley's Farm also provides a 'soldier's ration' of corn bread, beef jerky, an apple, and a cup of lemonade. The after lunch portion of the program is a mock battle between the British and Colonists.

As a living history interpreter, I am provided a costume (shift, stockings, shoes, stays, 2 petticoats, pockets, neckerchief, overdress, cap, bonnet) and encouraged to use 18th century English. British accents are required for the interpreters in redcoats, but others can incorporate them only if comfortable. There is a tip sheet for 18th century language issued by the living history supervisor, otherwise most of the language is accumulated by observing and correcting one's self. Most difficult for me is to drop 'okay' and replace with 'very well.' Other common replacements are aye for yes, nay for no, this day for today. We 'jest' with the kids about their lack of knowledge of the King's English, and ask if they know of any experienced Mohican scouts for sale. The bathrooms are the privy, or the necessary, and when they take photos, we ask if they have tiny artists or leprechauns creating our portraits.

I hope this information is helpful to you~

Danielle Trynoski

On Thu, Mar 6, 2014 at 3:24 PM, Sarah Dougherty <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

Ride Into History has done programming all over the country and they have done some very innovative programming with museums. They will work with you to provide training and information that meets your needs.

A proud board member
Date: Thu, 6 Mar 2014 16:36:18 -0600
From: [log in to unmask]

Subject: Re: [MUSEUM-L] First Person Interpretation Inquiry

To: [log in to unmask]
You didn't say where you were located but Ride Into History is a group in Kansas that has developed the 1st Person Interpretation touring group from the Kansas Arts and does training sessions on developing 1st Person Re-enactments.
They are very good - I've attended their programming and their classes and they are spot on what you need to know to develop a quality character - you supply the research and they help you put it together.

http://www.rideintohistory.com/

is their contact information on the website
Chris Taylor
Executive Director
Atchison County Historical Society
P.O. Box 201
200 S. 10th Street, Santa Fe Depot
Atchison, KS 66002
913-367-6238
[log in to unmask]
www.atchisonhistory.org
Mike Reuter wrote:
Hi all-

Would anyone be able to message me off list to help provide me with the following info? Our museum is embarking on developing a thematic historic house tour and we want to present it in the first person. Please email me at [log in to unmask]

1. Cost per hour of first person interpreters?

2. Any training programs available for first person interpretation? Cost of training?

Thanks!

Mike Reuter

Rock County Historical Society

--
Michael Reuter - Executive Director, Rock County Historical Society

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