First person interpretation – Use At Your Own Risk

I am regularly amazed at how many heritage managers and learning officers speak of first person interpretation as if it were the only form of personal interpretation. Only recently I was witness to yet another suggestion that 'to really bring the story to life' there should be 'a person from the past' [1]. Have you … Continue reading First person interpretation – Use At Your Own Risk →

What is interpretation?

Recent discussions - online and offline - as well as my current work of pulling together the different aspects of a heritage/community site have had me think about the existentialist question: what is interpretation [1]? As one sets out on the journey to find an answer [2], one must naturally begin with Freeman Tilden, the … Continue reading What is interpretation? →

Interpretation for Children

A recent forum discussion has made me reflect on interpretation for children. The good examples are still too few and far in between, but where interpreters have given children proper consideration, the results are a lesson to us all. Here is my shortlist of inspirations: 1) Good interactives The place to see the best interactives … Continue reading Interpretation for Children →

Authentic Interpretation at the Big Pit, Wales

Authenticity is not usually a term we come across in interpretation literature with the exception of writings on costumed interpretation of various kinds [1]. Interpreters tend to treat authenticity as a given: we base our interpretation on sound research and so it must be authentic [2]. However, my recent visit to the Big … Continue reading Authentic Interpretation at the Big Pit, Wales →

A balancing act – interpretation between respect and education

Most of us, when doing visitor surveys, will find that visitors arrive at our doorstep with some prior knowledge of the site. The depth of this knowledge will vary as will its historical accuracy. Especially where this knowledge is connected with a sense of heritage, however, this may pose a challenge for interpreters. I have … Continue reading A balancing act – interpretation between respect and education →

Who needs heritage anyway?

After reading this month's Museum Journal (published by the British Museums Association) one may well wonder if today's leaders really no longer value heritage. Stories of funding cuts have dominated both British and international coverage for months and we now read about the consequences of budgets thus slashed. Winter opening hours are shortened, as with … Continue reading Who needs heritage anyway? →

Are you an interpretive tyrant?

Interpreters tend to be passionate folk. In fact, the first time I heard someone say 'I've turned my passion into my profession' was at an interpreters' conference. Interpreters are not the only ones involved in heritage who are passionate about a site or an object, of course, but their passion goes beyond the resource - … Continue reading Are you an interpretive tyrant? →

Re-enactments, Encampments and Interpretation

Last week I received a flurry of press releases about re-enactments and such at various Historic Scotland properties. Fort George will soon host the 'Colossal Celebration of the Centuries' with displays and presentations that range from Roman times to the 20th century, including a medieval encampment. At Dundonald Castle [1] a medieval day will see … Continue reading Re-enactments, Encampments and Interpretation →

Museums and Migrants

Buried in a commentary in this month's Museums Journal was a reference to the programmes offered for migrants and refugees at the Victoria and Albert Museum in England [1]. Migrants are more and more becoming part of the social fabric of almost every country around the globe, and certainly in Western Europe and North America … Continue reading Museums and Migrants →

Interpret Europe

Last week, I attended the Foundation Assembly for Interpret Europe - the European Association for Heritage Interpretation. This was the first time that I was part of a truly historic event and that in itself makes one's heart beat faster. But what was more important was that with Interpret Europe interpretation finally receives its deserved … Continue reading Interpret Europe →