Course Description
An introduction to principles and methods of historic site interpretation and to current issues in the field, especially as demonstrated by sites in Georgia. Approaches the topic from the perspective of historic preservation, and situates historic site interpretation within the broader process of managing historic resources.
Additional Requirements for Graduate Students:
In addition to the required assignments of the undergraduate
students, graduate students will each lead one or more seminar
discussions on pre-defined historic sites during field visits
and lead discussions on theory and practice methods of historic
site interpretation throughout the semester. Further, the
graduate students will write a final paper on the field of
historic site interpretation issues of their choice
highlighting the environmental, economic, and social factors
involved, the breadth of possible resolutions, and citing at
least two case studies that support their conclusions.
Athena Title
Historic Site Interpretation
Semester Course Offered
Offered fall and spring
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Course Objectives
Knowledge: - of current theory and practice methods of historic site interpretation - of current issues in the field of historic site interpretation - of the major organizations supporting historic site interpretation in the United States - of historical development of the practice of historic site interpretation in the United States Skills: - to identify and articulate the diverse stories associated with an historic site - to critique established interpretation programs at historic sites - to develop basic interpretation programs for historic sites, working in cooperation with site managers Values: - the multiple meanings and varying significance which an historic site may have, for different groups - the ethical implications of identifying and interpreting the various stories represented by an historic site, and through the interpretation program giving voice to groups associated with the site - the role of historic sites in building, defining, and maintaining a sense of community identity - the implications an interpretation program may have for the integrity of a site’s historic fabric
Topical Outline
Week 1-2 Introduction: •basic premise of historic site interpretation; i.e., understand the ‘information’ contained within the historic resource – understand the audience(s) – develop the appropriate story, based upon the information – design the most effective medium/strategy to convey the story – evaluate the results; interpretation versus presentation •types of historic sites; e.g., historic houses and/or gardens, commemorative sites, open air museums/complexes, regions/routes with specific historic themes •development of site interpretation in the United States, with reference to the NPS, and especially the work of Freeman Tilden •introduction to current principles and practices e.g., ICOMOS Charter for the Interpretation and Presentation of Cultural Heritage Sites, and current literature from allied fields such as museology, public history, historical archaeology, and cultural geography; organizations such as AASLH and the National Association for Interpretation (NAI) •potential site visit: Atlanta History Center Week 3-5 Historic House Museums •background to house museums (e.g., John Soane House - 1837, Mount Vernon - 1860, Heyward-Washington House/1929) •what makes house museums a distinct type of museum; concept of collection and curatorship versus education and interpretation; the role of ‘biography’ in house museums; the building (and site) as part of the ‘collection’ •presenting divergent and conflicting stories •critique of interpretation at selected site/e.g., Robert Toombs House Week 6-7 Sites of Commemoration •background to commemorative sites (e.g., Congressional role in protecting/presenting Civil War Battlefields as ‘sites of reconciliation’ from 1896 onwards, and the extensive program of battlefield preservation in Europe following WWI) •relationship between commemoration and interpretation/presentation •how interpretation both supports and erodes the commemorative use of the site •presenting sites with ‘difficult’ (unpleasant or controversial) stories, themes •critique of interpretation at selected site/e.g., Chickamauga National Military Park Week 8-9 Open-Air Museums/Complexes •background to open air museums (e.g., Skansen, Sweden – 1891, Colonial Williamsburg – 1928, Ironbridge Gorge, UK – 1986) •issue of ‘authenticity’; use of replica and reconstruction in interpretation •‘living history’ and animated sites (e.g., costumed interpreters); historic re-enactments •integration of historic and contemporary (living) communities, and resulting issues for interpretation and presentation •critique of interpretation at selected site/e.g., New Echota Week 10 Regions/Routes •cultural tourism •community engagement; community (e.g., traditional activities and occupations) as historic resource •use of contemporary media (e.g., internet) for presentation of historic resources •critique of interpretation at selected site/e.g., Bartram Trail Week 11-15 Major Project: develop an interpretation program for a historic site Students will work with a community organization responsible for an historic site, to: - understand the resource and the information it contains - define the target audience for an interpretive program - with the owning organization, develop an appropriate ‘story’ or narrative based on this information - design an effective interpretation program, reflecting the resources available for implementation