Telling America’s Stories Through Places: A Guide to Historical Site Interpretation

Telling America’s Stories Through Places combines the methodologies of the public historian, practitioner, and the participant and observer to survey several types of historic sites with an emphasis on how to provide meaningful experiences for visitors. Coverage expands beyond the traditional interpreter-led tour to include videos, exhibitions, and other types of interpretive media as well as sites that are not typically categorized as a house museum. Part I of the book examines different types of sites, from historic homes to battlefields to urban neighborhoods. Part II introduces characteristics of different forms of site stewardship. Part III presents the exemplary techniques identified in Part I as a practical set of tools.