Summer School: Stewarding the Story: Relevance in Interpretation

Using the Prudence Crandall Museum and the Eric Sloane Museum as case studies, panelists will describe their process of reinterpretation which is at different stages at both sites.  Primarily geared to sites linked to bigger stories, this panel presentation will offer examples of what can be accomplished by a small team, as there is only one staff person per site.

The Eric Sloane Museum has expanded from a narrow focus on tools into a more complete picture of Sloane’s life and work; the Prudence Crandall Museum previously focused on a critical local story from a traditional historic house perspective and intends to reopen after renovations with a visitor experience that explores through the students’ stories what equity in education might look like at state, national, and global levels.  Both sites have structured their interpretive plan on the success of increased relevance at Old New-Gate Prison, which piloted this strategy for Connecticut’s State Museums.

All three sites are broadening the history they share into a larger relationship with the problems the world confronts today.  Panelists will share techniques for audience evaluation, community conversations, use of technology, such as 3-D tours, and relationships to cultivate during the reinterpretation process.  Discussion will center on viewing interpretation as a holistic approach to the overall visitor experience.  Audience members will leave with questions to jump start reinterpreting their own sites.

Participants:

• Joanie DiMartino, Museum Curator & Site Superintendent, Prudence Crandall Museum, State of CT
  
• Elizabeth G. Shapiro, Director of Arts, Preservation and Museums, Operations, Museums and Historic Preservation, State Historic Preservation Office, Department of Economic and Community Development, State of CT
  
• Morgan Bengel, Museum Curator, Old-New Gate Prison & Copper Mine, State of CT
• Andrew Rowand, Museum Assistant, Eric Sloane Museum, State of CT

Sponsor: The State Historic Preservation Office of Connecticut. 

Zoom Information: Registrants will receive the Zoom webinar information via email prior to the event.