Interpreting Slavery at Museums and Historic Sites

This book moves 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.

ISBN-13: 9780759123267

Media Type: Paperback

Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers - Inc.

Publication Date: 12-23-2014

Pages: 148

Product Dimensions: 6.90(w) x 9.90(h) x 0.40(d)

Series: Interpreting History #5

Kristin L. Gallas has led public history work for the Tracing Center on Histories and Legacies of Slavery since its founding, and also oversaw the design of our workshops for teachers and other professionals in education. She has led the education/interpretation departments at the Montana Historical Society, the USS Constitution Museum, and currently at the Tsongas Industrial History Center; developed programs for the National Trust for Historic Preservation and Shelburne Museum; created interpretative training for Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site and the Maine State Museum; and consulted with Martha’s Vineyard Museum and George Washington’s Mount Vernon on exhibit development. James DeWolf Perry is the executive director of the Tracing Center on Histories and Legacies of Slavery, for which he speaks and facilitates discussions about the nation’s legacy of slavery and race. He was nominated for an Emmy award for his role as the principal historical consultant for Traces of the Trade: A Story from the Deep North, the 2008 PBS documentary about the legacy of the North’s role in slavery and the slave trade, and in which he also appears as a descendant of the leading slave trader in U.S. history.

Table of Contents

Foreword by Rex M. Ellis Preface Chapter 1:Comprehensive Content and Contested Historical Narratives Kristin L. Gallas and James DeWolf Perry Chapter 2:The Role of Race and Racial Identity in Interpretation Kristin L. Gallas and James DeWolf Perry Chapter 3:“So Deep Dyed in Our Fabric, It Can Not Be Washed Out”: Developing Institutional Support for the Interpretation of Slavery Linnea Grim Chapter 4:Institutional Change at Northern Historic Sites: Telling Slavery’s Story in the Land of Abolition Katherine D. Kane Chapter 5:The Necessity of Community Involvement: Talking About Slavery in the 21st Century Dina A. Bailey and Richard C. Cooper Chapter 6:Visitors Are Ready, Are We? Conny Graft Chapter 7:Developing Competent and Confident Interpreters Patricia Brooks Chapter 8: Perceptions of Race and Identity and their Impact on Slavery’s Interpretation Nicole A. Moore Conclusion