Tag: heritage

Target audiences and access in interpretation practice: Emma Waterton’s critique

I’ve recently read Emma Waterton’s excellent book Politics, Policy and the Discourses of Heritage in Britain. Waterton is not an interpreter, but much of her writing applies directly to interpretation also. As in her other writings, Waterton raises excellent and critical questions in this book.  Some of these are of immediate relevance to interpreters:   … Continue reading Target audiences and access in interpretation practice: Emma Waterton’s critique →

And this is what I mean by heritage, and interpretation (at my current site)

Last week, I had one of those exciting conversations with a colleague, which reminded me of why I’m doing what I’m doing.  This particular colleague doesn’t have a background in heritage, and I was trying to explain to them what I wanted our interpretation to achieve at our site.  In fact, so removed is their … Continue reading And this is what I mean by heritage, and interpretation (at my current site) →

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? →

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: Technology of Power?

I get the impression that Bella Dicks wasn’t impressed by the work of the interpreters (and researchers) involved in the Rhondda Heritage Park.  In her book Heritage, Place and Community her criticism effectively boils down to one point: interpreters commodify local knowledge to present a novelty attraction to outside visitors while the needs of the … Continue reading Interpretation: Technology of Power? →

Can a TV documentary be interpretation?

A few weeks before my recent visit to Stonehenge, I chanced to watch ‘The Age of Cosmology’ part 3 of Neil Oliver’s documentary series, ‘A History of Ancient Britain’.  Beside Stonehenge, the documentary also talked about other Stone Age sites, such as the nearby Avebury stone circle and the sites far north in Orkney. The … Continue reading Can a TV documentary be interpretation? →