Hi Robin,

At Historic Huguenot Street, a national historic district of seven stone houses, we have implemented “in-the-moment tours” where we have guests examine the house(s)  its material culture, and its history through a story. Their guide is a costumed interpreter who represents a person from the period. These have not only been helpful in breaking the traditional model of docent lead tours, but has also helped expand the way in which people engage and think about the history. Similar institutions in New York’s Hudson Valley, such as Historic Hudson Valley, have taken on variants of this idea.

On a more broad spectrum, I would check out the blog posts, writings, and interviews of Bill Weldon who worked as the public history and interpretation director at Colonial Williamsburg. Another great source is Freeman Tilden who is considered by many as the father of interpretation for the National Park Service and served with the NPS for many, many years. His works continue to have an effect on tours of historic houses outside of traditional docent lead tours.

Best of Luck,

Shane Stuart

Historic Huguenot Street

I’m looking for examples of small historic house museums who have implemented alternative ways for on-site visitors to view the house, other than docent led tours.

--------------------

Robin  Gabriel

Kaminski House Museum

Georgetown, SC 29440

All e-mail correspondence to and from this address may be subject to public disclosure under the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).

This correspondence is intended exclusively for the individual or entity to which it is addressed and may contain information that is proprietary,

privileged, confidential or otherwise legally exempt from disclosure.

To unsubscribe from the MUSEUM-L list, click the following link:
http://home.ease.lsoft.com/scripts/wa-HOME.exe?SUBED1=MUSEUM-L&A=1