Where is heritage in heritage interpretation?

As part of my current research I have been reviewing the literature on heritage studies.  My opinions, gained from working at heritage sites, had already been that heritage is immensely personal: made up of different aspects for different individuals.  When I worked at Culloden Battlefield in Scotland, I also realised that heritage was contested, and … Continue reading Where is heritage in heritage interpretation? →

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 →

Diverse Heritage Values – Feedback from Interpret Europe’s First International Conference

Today I guided a workshop at the first international conference of Interpret Europe in Freiburg, Germany.  I built on a paper I presented last November at NAI’s National Workshop in Las Vegas.  I was really keen to explore further with other professionals what to do about diverse, and particularly conflicting heritage values. The conversation we … Continue reading Diverse Heritage Values – Feedback from Interpret Europe’s First International Conference →

The challenge of objects

I don’t know about you, but I usually prefer heritage sites to museums for a visit.  Partially this may be a result of poor interpretation encountered once too often at museums.   Labels listing cataloguing information do very little for me and, I expect, many other visitors.  Such ‘interpretation’ fails to make that elusive connection, and … Continue reading The challenge of objects →

Interpretation…doesn’t trust visitors to have their own thoughts?

I am indebted to the Association for Heritage Interpretation (UK) for publishing a news item that highlighted the National Trust’s ‘Bench mate’ scheme and a commentary on it in a national newspaper. The latter is particularly refreshing as the voice of someone whose profession is not interpretation.  The commentator, a comedian, I’m told, makes a … Continue reading Interpretation…doesn’t trust visitors to have their own thoughts? →

What makes a good interpretation consultant (and client, too)?

As my current project draws to the end of its development phase, I’ve been thinking a lot about the client-consultant relationship in heritage interpretation.  I’ve been on both sides, and one gains good insights from either viewpoint.  In fact, I have come to believe that in order to be a good client or a good … Continue reading What makes a good interpretation consultant (and client, too)? →

Dirt and all? Or: That’s what good interpretation is for

As far as J. Geraint Jenkins is concerned, the Welsh efforts to present the nation’s industrial heritage (!) are mostly doomed.  The reason is that sites, and coalmines in particular, are just not grimy enough.  He also points out that much fabric has been lost, leaving the remaining structures without the all-important context.  In presenting … Continue reading Dirt and all? Or: That’s what good interpretation is for →

Do we interpret heritage because we’re disconnected from it?

During my readings I have come across this interesting quote by West and McKellar [1]: ‘By definition, interpretation as a heritage practice is a western discourse that has become necessary because official heritage has become disconnected from everyday understandings.’ It is a statement worth thinking about in greater depth.  Most interpreters would readily agree that … Continue reading Do we interpret heritage because we’re disconnected from it? →