Residency and Dissertation Research and Books
Henderson, Amy. Exhibiting Dilemmas: Issues of Representation at the Smithsonian. Washington,
D.C.: Smithsonian Books, 1999.
A collection of essays presenting the perspective of multiple curators offering viewpoints on how
interpret challenging topics and materials. The book provides wonderful case studies ready-made for
engaging students in discussions of interpretative strategies.
Kohn, Richard. "History and the Culture Wars: The Case of the Smithsonian Institution's Enola Gay
Exhibit." Journal of American History 82 (December 1995): 1036-1063.
A concise, highly readable, and clear overview of the controversy that erupted surrounding the planned
exhibit of the Enola Gay at the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum on the 50th anniversary of
the end of World War Two. This piece explains the competing historical and political interests and
perspectives that transformed an exhibit on the end of World War II into the quintessential public
history controversy. Kohn is critical of the original exhibit concept, but is relatively balanced in
explaining the basis of his concerns. An edited version of Kohn’s essay appears in Edward Linenthal’s
History Wars: The Enola Gay and Other Battles for the American Past.
Linenthal, Edward and Tom Engelhardt. History Wars: The Enola Gay and Other Battles for the
American Past. New York: Holt Paperbacks, 1996.
Eight historians provide essays on the controversy that erupted at the Smithsonian’s National Air and
Space museum over the exhibiting of the Enola Gay, the B-29 Bomber that dropped the atomic bomb on
Hiroshima the end of World War Two. Written soon after the controversy, the work captures the
intensity of the emotions that surfaced in the mid-1990s. The essays provide a range of viewpoints
(though most are critical that opposition led to the cancellation of the original exhibit concept), and
several could be used on their own, such as Paul Boyer’s “Whose History is it Anyway: Memory, Politics,
and Historical Scholarship.” The essay by Richard Kohn, Former Air Force Historian, “History at Risk: The
Case of the Enola Gay,” provides a fine overview of the exhibit that skillfully examines the different
perspectives and interests at stake in the exhibit (though he is critical of the original exhibit concept).
That article was printed in a fuller form in Journal of American History, and that article also serves as a
useful source for studying the controversy (see entry above).
Nash, Gary, Charlotte Crabtree, and Ross Dunn. History on Trial: Culture Wars and the Teaching of the
Past. New York: Vintage Books, 2000.
The attempt by the National Endowment for the Humanities to create a set of National History
Standards in the early 1990s led to an extraordinary clash between academic historians and
conservative commentators and politicians who aggressively attacked the standards even before they
became public. Nash, Crabtree, and Dunn, all of whom helped to develop the proposed history
standards, describe their process and goals in developing a set of national standards, and also what they
viewed as the politicization and misrepresentation of their work that occurred as part of the larger
“culture wars” of the 1990s. A very useful work for that raises questions about what Americans should
know about history, how history should be taught, and the different understanding of history held by
academic historians and the public.
Tyrrell, Ian. Historians in Public: The Practice of American History, 1890-1970. Chicago: University of
Chicago Press, 2005.
This history of the history profession’s efforts to reach larger public over the course of the twentieth
century raises important issues about the efforts of historians to influence the public through such
venues as public school curricula, mass media, government programs, and the national parks. Not only
does this book put the contemporary efforts of public historians into historical context and detail a
century of experimentation and controversy, but it raises provocative questions about the most
effective way for historians to have an impact on American society.
Wallace, Mike. Mickey Mouse History and Other Essays on American Memory. Philadelphia: Temple
University Press, 1996.
This collection of essays, many of which Wallace wrote in the 1980s and 1990s for the Radical History
Review, offers perspectives on a wide array of topics including urban history museums, museums of
science and technology, the presentation of history at Colonial Williamsburg, a history of the historic
preservation movement in the United States, the Enola Gay controversy, and the Disney Corporation’s
uses of history in its theme parks and its failed effort to create an American history theme park. This
work is useful for gaining insights into some of the major controversies facing public historians at the
end of the twentieth century. Wallace expresses a strong liberal viewpoint and is often highly critical of
choices made by institutions and corporation—and especially the policies of Ronald Reagan—making it
useful for sparking classroom discussions about the state of public history in the 1980s and 1990s. Some
of the essays are period pieces, so public history educators might want to assign individual essays rather
than the entire collection.
Casper, Scott E. Sarah Johnson's Mount Vernon: The Forgotten History of an American Shrine. New
York: Hill and Wang, 2008.
Casper focuses on the black caretakers of Mount Vernon, a decision that adds race as an additional
perspective to gender when analyzing constructions of memory and interpretation of at historic places.
Students respond enthusiastically to Casper's study of Mount Vernon for many reasons. Many students
know the site well and can envision elements of Casper’s study clearly, but even students who do not
know Mount Vernon found the story of forgotten people powerful. They all appreciated the historic
perspective on debates about visitor services, food on site, and destruction of historic property by
visitors seeking “a piece of the true cross.” The realization that personality clashes had happened at
historic sites in the past, provided an interesting perspective during later discussions on managing
conflict.
Ywone, Edwards-Ingram. “Toward ‘True Acts Of Inclusion:’ The ‘Here’ and the ‘Out There’ Concepts in
Public Archaeology.” Historical Archaeology 31 (1997): 27-35.
Historical archaeologists deal with a number of the same issues that are central to public history. This
article provides an opportunity to talk about multi-disciplinary approaches to the past and to focus on
the need to reconcile scholarship with public interest. It might be useful to pair it with Erica Martin
Seibert. “African-American Archaeological Sites & the National Register of Historic Places: Creating a
Public Memory.” African-American Archaeology: Newsletter of the African-American Archaeology
Network. 2000, page 27.
Fink, Leon. "When Community Comes Home to Roost: The Southern Milltown as Lost Cause." The
Journal of Social History 40 (Fall 2006): 119-145.
This is a really smart piece about the politics of doing public and oral history, which looks at the various
stances and interests among different types of people doing history in public (in this case, a pair of local
activists and community organizers who were doing public history type projects, and the author himself,
an outsider and professional who was initially welcomed and then rejected by the activists when they
realized he was going to include them in his study). It's a good piece for getting students talking about
the politics of knowledge-making and the layers of insider/outsider politics in any community, as well as
getting them to question the too-easy assumption of "community" as an entity or an unproblematic
good.
Linenthal, Edward T. Preserving Memory: The Struggle to Create America’s Holocaust Museum. New
York: Columbia University Press, 2001.
Linenthal’s detailed examination of the decision making process leading up to the creation of the United
States Holocaust Memorial Museum provides a powerful case study for discussing issues related to
authority and museums in public history interpretation.
Loewen, James. Lies Across America: What Our Historic Sites Get Wrong. New York: Touchstone, 2000.
The five opening essays in Loewen’s book offer a general introduction to some challenges facing public
history and public history education. I have used the essays on the first day of my introductory course. I
have also used them in some of my other history courses. In addition, the book includes about 95 short
essays that treat individual sites. When I have worked with Hampdon National Historic Site in Baltimore,
I have used Loewen’s essay to spark conversation and encourage new interpretation. Lowen’s work also
raises important questions about the nature of truth in public history and particularly whether or not
omitting information --or offering an interpretation that is different from the one he would like to see
presented—really constitutes lying. For this reason, it might be interesting to pair selections from Lies
Across America with selections from Kenneth Foote Shadowed Ground: America’s Landscapes of
Violence and Tragedy (University of Texas, Updated Version, 2003) which asks us to consider the sites
Americans have chosen to destroy or ignore.
Moyer, Theresa and Paul Shackel. A Devil, Two Rivers and a Dream: The Making of Harper's Ferry
National Historical Park. Lanham, Md.: Alta Mira Press, 2007.
This book can be divided into two classroom discussions. The first portion of the book lends itself well to
a discussion about the complicated history of historic places. Even the most sophisticated students often
have not given much thought to the construction of place, and this book provides a window into the
cultural geography of Harper's Ferry. The second portion of the book frames a discussion about the ways
in which interpretation evolves over time. The book demonstrates the ways in which specific social and
cultural conditions can make the concerns of some stakeholders appear more valid than others. It's a
good touchstone throughout the semester for talking about reflexive learning, collaborative inquiry and
collaborative interpretation.
Pitcaithley, Dwight. “Abraham Lincoln’s Birthplace Cabin: The Making of an American Icon” in Myth,
Memory, and the Making of the American Landscape. Paul A. Shackel, ed. Gainesville: University Press
of Florida, 2001.
Pitcaithley, the former chief historian for the National Park Service, raises important questions about the
persistence of "myth" in popular memory at historic sites. The article challenges students to consider
their own attachment to various, familiar stories, and to move beyond a too simple distinction between
myth and history.
Stanton, Cathy. The Lowell Experiment: Public History in a Post-Industrial City. Amherst: University of
Massachusetts Press, 2006.
This book challenges public history students in two directions. First, it asks them to engage in crossdisciplinary learning, viewing public history practice through the eyes of an anthropologist. We spend at
least part of one seminar discussion breaking down the disciplinary boundaries they have been
encouraged to build up. Second, the book challenges them to recognize the ramifications of reflexive
practice, examining their own role in the practice of public history and breaking out of the comfortable
binary between "professional" and "audience."
Marketing and Museums Short Reading List
Marketing the Museum (Heritage: Care-Preservation-Management) [Paperback] Fiona Mclean (Author)
Marketing and Public Relations Handbook for Museums, Galleries, and Heritage Attractions [Paperback]
Sue Runyard (Author), Ylva French (Author)
Museum Branding: How to Create and Maintain Image, Loyalty, and Support [Paperback] Margot A.
Wallace
B001ITRRIK
(Author)
Museum Marketing and Strategy: Designing Missions, Building Audiences, Generating Revenue and
Resources [Hardcover]
Neil G. Kotler
B00288KQ9M
(Author), Philip Kotler (Author), Wendy I. Kotler (Author)
Museum Marketing: Competing in the global marketplace [Paperback]
Ruth Rentschler (Author), Anne-Marie Hede (Author)
Museum Management and Marketing (Leicester Readers in Museum Studies) [Paperback] Richard
Sandell (Author)
Consumer Research for Museum Marketers: Audience Insights Money Can't Buy [Paperback] Margot A.
Wallace
B003GOJF94
(Author)
The Manual of Strategic Planning for Museums [Paperback]
Gail Dexter Lord
B001IQXNW2
(Author), Kate Markert (Author)
Marketing Management for Nonprofit Organizations [Paperback]
Adrian Sargeant
B001HMRNXW
(Author)
Marketing Cultural Organisations: New Strategies for Attracting Audiences to Classical Music, Dance,
Museums, Theatre and Opera [Paperback]
Modern Museum Marketing
Reviewer: Noel J. Petit from Minnesota
An up-to-date compendium of marketing analysis and techniques for all flavors of museum. This book
includes detailed marketing strategies to find the visitor, determine their wants and meet those desires.
All aspects of museum work is presented: fund raising, exhibit development, collection policy, staff
development, etc. We have used the guidance of this book to frame future expansion of the Minnesota
Transportation Museum in St. Paul, MN. Includes detailed charts to develop mission statements,
marketing plans, interview visitors, develop advertising, perform continuing assessment of the museum.
Mission-Based Marketing by Peter Brinckerhoff is a terrific example of one of those "helper" books. It
does more than "help" me. It helps organizations look at their marketing programs, their missions, their
customers and their staffs. It is very easy to read and very well organized with plenty of concrete
examples and case histories Thomas A. Mackey from Houston, TX
Evaluation and Visitor Research - The EVR SIG Toolkit
The Evaluation and Visitor Research Special Interest Group of Museums Australia has generously offered
to share this resource with readers. If you would like to learn more about this group or make contact
with them, CLICK HERE
General audience research papers
Is it really a question of money? [PDF 302k]
Carolyn Meehan, Melbourne Museum. Paper presented at Museums Australia Conference, 2002,
Adelaide Once Upon Our Times.
This paper draws on visitor research at the Melbourne Museum to examine barriers to visitation and
argues that entry fees are not the main culprit in keeping people away from museums.
Developing access to collections through assessing user needs
[PDF 31k]
Lynda Kelly. Paper presented at Museums Australia Conference, 1998, Albury Fringe Benefits:
Community, Culture & Communication.
Separate or Inseparable? -Marketing and Visitor Studies [PDF 31k]
Lynda Kelly, Australian Museum. Paper presented at the 1998 International Council of Museums,
Melbourne
The Power of the Audience [PDF 51k]
Gillian Savage, Environmetrics Pty Ltd. Paper presented at Museums Australia Conference, 1996, Sydney
Power and Empowerment
Narratives Evaluation and Power [PDF 33k]
Judith Gleeson. Paper presented at Museums Australia Conference, 1996, Sydney Power and
Empowerment
Youth audiences
Get 'em young: Speaking their language or teaching them yours?
[PDF 115k]
This paper draws on audience research to describe the particular needs and interests of Youth
Audiences (aged 15-15 years) and examines the way Australian museums have been meeting the needs
of this audience sector. Gillian Savage, Environmetrics, and Rachael French, Queen Victoria Museum and
Gallery. Paper presented at Museums Australia Conference, 2002, Adelaide Once Upon Our Times
Getting them young and keeping them [PDF 30k]
Vicki Northey. Paper presented at Museums Australia Conference, 1996, Sydney-Power and
Empowerment
General information about youth audiences
Information about youth audiences available from the Australian Musuem Audience Research Centre
website.
Family audiences
The family experience of museums [PDF 38k]
Ann Baillie, Queensland Regional Gallery Association. Paper presented at Museums Australia
Conference, 1996, Sydney-Power and Empowerment
Indigenous audiences
Exploding the Myths behind Multicultural and Indigenous Audience Development: A case study from
three new museum campuses.
[PDF 129k]
Katherine Danylak, Cultural Perspectives. Paper presented at Museums Australia Conference, 2002,
Adelaide- Once Upon Our Times
This presentation poses a series of "myths" about museums and their culturally diverse and Indigenous
audiences. These are discussed in the context of research conducted at Melbourne Museum and the
Immigration Museum (Melbourne), and Indigenous audience research at the National Museum of
Australia.
Indigenous Evaluation and Audience Research Page.
Information page at the Australian Museum Audience Research Centre.
Botanic Garden Visitors
Myths about visitors to Botanic Gardens. [PDF 161k]
Jannele Heatherly , Royal Botanic Gardens. Paper presented at Museums Australia Conference, 2002,
Adelaide Once Upon Our Times
When asked why they visit botanic gardens, most people include the words 'peace and tranquillity' in
their response. There is a falsely held perception that, apart from a select few who come to locate a
particular plant or two, visitors only come to public gardens to relax and switch off from mental
stimulation. This paper seeks to debunk the myth that visitors to botanic gardens aren't interested in
learning. It discusses visitor research and evaluation of the Cadi Jam Ora - First Encounters garden
display, and explores the strategies that have been put in place for visitors to the Royal Botanic Gardens
Sydney to have a memorable learning experience as well as 'a pleasant stroll through the park'.
Virtual Visitors
World Wide Web Visitors:
Challenges for Cultural Institutions in the Electronic Age [PDF 134k]
Rose Bollen, State Library NSW. Paper presented at Museums Australia Conference, 2002, AdelaideOnce upon Our Times
Myth: Many people think the Internet will replace libraries. To the contrary, the growth of the Internet
has heralded new challenges and issues for libraries as more of the population choose to access the
Internet for information. This paper presents findings from the State Library's Research and Evaluation
program about the many visitors to the State Library's website, and discusses some of the challenges
and issues for the Library in Internet-based service provision.
Older Audiences
Older audiences and museums information .
At Information about the Australian Museum Audience Research Centre website. Includes a
downloadable version of energised, engaged, everywhere: Older australian museum visitors.
How to Deal with Complaints Top Ten Tips. CLICK HERE
Arts In Transition Project: Report and Discussion Paper
Towards a culture of shared resources: Building an environment for the long-term sustainability of the
arts in Canada
IEG Sponsorship Report
Strategic Planning Manual
Museums Australia's Strategic Planning Manual in PDF format. This manual has been developed by
Museums Australia and was supported by a grant provided through the Department of Communications
Information Technology and the Arts (DCITA)
Marketing Stategy template The Marketing Strategy Evaluation template can help you identify and
evaluate the strategic marketing aspects of your product or service
Writing Your Marketing Action Plan from the Scottish Arts Council
E-Mail Newsletters for the Museum and its Visitors There is a new marketing medium that is cheap and
has large distribution potential
Significant Events is a program and tool kit for those planning and marketing significant events
Strategic Planning (in nonprofit or for-profit organizations) Simply put, strategic planning determines
where an organization is going over the next year or more, how it's going to get there and how it'll know
if it got there or not
Marketing the Museum (Heritage: Care-Preservation-Management)
[Paperback] Fiona Mclean (Author)
Marketing and Public Relations Handbook for Museums, Galleries, and
Heritage Attractions [Paperback] Sue Runyard (Author), Ylva French (Author)
Museum Branding: How to Create and Maintain Image, Loyalty, and
Support [Paperback] Margot A. Wallace B001ITRRIK (Author)
Museum Marketing and Strategy: Designing Missions, Building
Audiences, Generating Revenue and Resources [Hardcover]
Neil G. Kotler
B00288KQ9M
(Author), Philip Kotler (Author), Wendy I. Kotler (Author)
Museum Marketing: Competing in the global marketplace [Paperback]
Ruth Rentschler (Author), Anne-Marie Hede (Author)
Museum Management and Marketing (Leicester Readers in Museum
Studies) [Paperback] Richard Sandell (Author)
Consumer Research for Museum Marketers: Audience Insights Money
Can't Buy [Paperback] Margot A. Wallace B003GOJF94 (Author)
The Manual of Strategic Planning for Museums [Paperback]
Gail Dexter Lord
B001IQXNW2
(Author), Kate Markert (Author)
Marketing Management for Nonprofit Organizations [Paperback]
Adrian Sargeant
B001HMRNXW
(Author)