Interpretative Master Planning

Elizabeth Nosek holds a degree in cultural anthropology from Hamline University and history museum studies from the Cooperstown Graduate Program. For over 30 years, she has worked in museum education/interpretation for local historical societies, natural history museums, the National Park Service, living history museums, children’s museums, art museums, and galleries all over the country. Whether it was discussing Thompsonian medicine in Old Sturbridge Village’s medicinal garden, developing interpretive site manuals for both the Littleton History Museum and Lakewood’s Heritage Center in Colorado, or creating a long-range education plan for the Mission Houses Museum in Honolulu, Nosek has been on the front lines. She used her intrinsic knowledge to author several articles on guest service and museum education for the Docent Educator and ALHFAM Bulletin and has taught museum education at St. Mary’s college. Her most recent experience of shepherding her institution’s interpretive master plan through from start to finish is the inspiration for this book.

Preface

Acknowledgements

Chapter 1 - Just What is Interpretation?

Chapter 2 - Are We Ready to Create an Interpretive Master Plan?

Chapter 3 - How Do We Do a Self Study?

Chapter 4 - How Do We Form Our Planning Team?

Chapter 5 - What Are the Best Ways to Facilitating Focus Groups?

Chapter 6 - How Do We Define Our Interpretive Themes?

Chapter 7 - How Do We Pull It All Together?

Chapter 8 - How Do We Implement the Master Plan?

Appendix Five Interpretative Master Plan Case Studies

Appendix 1: Introduction to Case Studies

Appendix 2: House of Seven Gables

Appendix 3: Silos & Smokestacks

Appendix 4: Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad

Appendix 5: Old Sturbridge Village

Appendix 6: Iolani Palace

About the Author