WALKING ON WATER? MARITIME MUSEUMS AND WALKING TOURS
William B. RokaHistorian, South Street Seaport MuseumCAMM Conference 2017, San Francisco
April 20, 2017
Scholar or Storyteller?
■ Historian is a student or writer of history, produces a scholarly synthesis. (Merriam-Webster)
■ History is a chronological record of significant events, often including an explanation of their causes.
■ Storyteller is a relater of anecdotes.
Magic of Maritime Museums
■ Not a static history.
– Movement■ Transportation■ Trade
– Liminal ■ We live on the edges and are
about the in-between.
The Power of Public History
■ Walking and exhibition tours are not just explanations. They tap into the ancient art of storytelling built on a foundation of historical scholarship.
■ Interactive scholarship– Direct engagement– Accessibility– Liveliness
Museum and Historic District
Walking Tours
Building Tours
Problems of Place
THANK [email protected]