This weekend many historic places across Britain open doors to the public that normally remain locked. In the spirit of this, we offered our first ‘Behind the Scenes’ guided tour at my site. It’s been a while since I scripted a guided tour and took it myself, too, so I really enjoyed the experience. And … Continue reading What makes a good guided tour?
Tag: interpretive planning
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
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)?
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?
Interpretation is… benefit-driven
I am currently researching how we deliver public benefit through heritage management and interpretation in England and Germany. Reading through the legislation that provides the framework for heritage is quite interesting. On the national level, people (the public) have been conspicuously absent from official heritage practices for many decades. The values identified by the legislation … Continue reading Interpretation is… benefit-driven
Interpretation is…inspiration
I vividly remember one incident while I worked at Culloden Battlefield in Scotland. A visitor stopped me, his eyes glowing. ‘Where,’ he asked, ‘did William Wallace fight in the battle?’ He went on to tell me that he had seen the film Braveheart and it had inspired him to visit Scotland, and Culloden. Of course, … Continue reading Interpretation is…inspiration
What is your mission?
In her keynote speech at the 2010 National Workshop of the National Association for Interpretation in Las Vegas, Amy Lethbridge asked people for their personal mission statements as interpreters. Participants’ responses varied widely. Many people said their mission was to contribute to conservation of nature and heritage. Others said they wanted to share their passion … Continue reading What is your mission?
Understanding stakeholders (and their view of significance)
Two weeks ago I presented a paper on stakeholders to the online conference of Interpretation Canada. I shared with delegates how I go about trying to understand the main stakeholders of a project. Step 1: Who are the main stakeholders? My first step is to identify who the main stakeholders are to begin with. I … Continue reading Understanding stakeholders (and their view of significance)
Nicole Deufel's Blog 