Breathing Life into Historic House Museums

Abstract

Historic House Museums are a staple of eighteenth-century heritage sites. They are prevalent in many regions of the former British Atlantic colonies and most have been operating since the late nineteenth or early twentieth century. As locations that have witnessed human life and habitation for hundreds of years, these sites are well placed to convey a relatable and relevant narrative that can feel authentic for visitors. There are many opportunities to build meaningful connections across generations focused on universal topics such as birth, death, and the patterns of day to day life. Based on the analysis in this study, it is clear that eighteenth-century historic sites are not meeting this challenge. Over the period of 2008–2018, historic house museum interpreters struggled to give a sense of life to these residences. Overall, they were “dead houses,” locations where a sense of lived experience was no longer conveyed. They were quiet, delicate collections of antiques and portraits, more non-traditional gallery than a place where children played long ago. Historic sites including Stenton, Cliveden, Shirley Plantation, Hill-Physick House, Pennsbury Manor, and Wilton House show that while some residences are working to give a sense of the inhabitants of these locations, very few are able to breathe life into dead houses.

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