Interpreting slavery at museums and historic sites / edited by Kristin L. Gallas and James DeWolf Perry.

Format:

Book

Contributor:

Gallas, Kris, editor.

Perry, James DeWolf, editor.

Series:

Interpreting history

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Slavery in museum exhibits--United States.

Slavery in museum exhibits.

Museums--Educational aspects--United States.

Museums.

Historic sites--Interpretive programs--United States.

Historic sites.

Slavery--United States--Historiography.

Slavery.

Historic sites--Interpretive programs.

Museums--Educational aspects.

United States.

Historiography.

Physical Description:

xix, 127 pages : illustrations ; 26 cm.

Place of Publication:

Lanham : Rowman & Littlefield, [2015].

Summary:

Interpreting Slavery at Museums and Historic Sites aims to move the field forward in its collective conversation about the interpretation of slavery--acknowledging the criticism of the past and acting in the present to develop an inclusive interpretation of slavery. Presenting the history of slavery in a comprehensive and conscientious manner is difficult and requires diligence and compassion--for the history itself, for those telling the story, and for those hearing the stories--but it's a necessary part of our collective narrative about our past, present, and future. This book features best practices for: -Interpreting slavery across the country and for many people. The history of slavery, while traditionally interpreted primarily on southern plantations, is increasingly recognized as relevant at historic sites across the nation. It is also more than just an African-American/European-American story--it is relevant to the history of citizens of Latino, Caribbean, African and indigenous descent, as well. It is also pertinent to those descended from immigrants who arrived after slavery, whose stories are deeply intertwined with the legacy of slavery and its aftermath. -Developing support within an institution for the interpretation of slavery. Many institutions are reticent to approach such a potentially volatile subject, so this book examines how proponents at several sites, including Monticello and Mount Vernon, were able to make a strong case to their constituents. -Training interpreters in not only a depth of knowledge of the subject but also the confidence to speak on this controversial issue in public and the compassion to handle such a sensitive historical issue. The book will be accessible and of interest for professionals at all levels in the public history field, as well as students at the undergraduate and graduate levels in museum studies and public history programs.

Contents:

Comprehensive content and contested historical narratives / Kristin L. Gallas and James DeWolf Perry

The role of race and racial identity in interpretation / Kristin L. Gallas and James DeWolf Perry

"So deep dyed in our fabric, it can not be washed out": developing institutional support for the interpretation of slavery / Linnea Grim

Institutional change at northern historic sites: telling slavery's story in the land of abolition / Katherine D. Kane

The necessity of community involvement: talking about slavery in the 21st century / Dina A. Bailey and Richard C. Cooper

Visitors are ready, are we? / Conny Graft

Developing competent and confident interpreters / Patricia Brooks

Perceptions of race and identity and their impact on slavery's interpretation / Nicole A. Moore.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages 121-122) and index.

ISBN:

9780759123250

075912325X

9780759123267

0759123268

OCLC:

890625260