I’ve recently read English Heritage’s consultation on under-represented heritages [1] and it got me thinking, yet again, about target audiences. Here are some of the points that struck a chord with me: We don’t want [insert under-represented heritage here] sites In fact, one respondent called this idea ‘horrible’ (p. 10). In other words, they didn’t … Continue reading Are we inclusively excluding people from museums and heritage sites?
Category: Review
Llancaiach Fawr: The pitfalls of first person interpretation
After a few weeks off for illness, today I took the opportunity and left the house for a visit to Llancaiach Fawr, a historic mansion in South Wales. I’d heard much about the place: at a conference a few months ago it was hailed as a site exemplary of visitor-focused interpretation, and a colleague’s enthusiastic … Continue reading Llancaiach Fawr: The pitfalls of first person interpretation
A case of too many interactives?
A couple of weeks ago I visited the National Waterfront Museum in Swansea, Wales. The museum’s focus is on the industrial history of wales, and object cases alternate with high-tech interactives. I’m not personally a huge fan of interactives. The reason is that I have not seen many interactives that I feel were necessary and … Continue reading A case of too many interactives?
A good book on the wall?
Now here's an oxymoron in most interpreters' view: how can any panel that reads like 'a book on the wall' ever be good? And of course these interpreters are right in pointing out that rows upon rows of text are highly unlikely to be read and they will probably fail to get a memorable and … Continue reading A good book on the wall?
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
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
Who’s living history?
Recently I attended a 'Medieval Phantasy Spectacle' in Germany. This is an evolution of what used to be medieval-inspired markets and events in towns and at heritage sites across Germany. The format has changed, and in fact it has become much more like the encampments one sees today in the UK, albeit without any claim … Continue reading Who’s living history?
The Roma Experience?
I have recently been directed to the virtual Roma exhibition of The European Library, called 'A Roma Journey'. The European Library is effectively a portal to the national libraries of Europe, who have contributed and made available on the website a digitised selection of their treasures. The exhibitions pull these together thematically. For 'A Roma … Continue reading The Roma Experience?
Nicole Deufel's Blog 