During my MA in museum studies, I found Freeman Tilden’s Interpreting Our Heritage to be a basic guide to any kind of interpretation across a variety of sites. Guidance on how to develop content for any setting is covered in his nine principles, guiding diligent museum and heritage interpreters towards the best way to interact with visitors of all ages. That said, it seems it isn’t just interpretation methods that Tilden covers – to me this book has had a greater influence.
Tilden’s advice may be 60 years old but it is still the go-to place for initial interpretation training, encouraging new sector entrants to think outside the box. Tilden’s principles encompass the key aspects of interpretation that we all take for granted. Encouraging personal experiences, storytelling and age-appropriate language were identified by him as vital to interpretive success.
Tilden guides not only my ability to interpret, but also my approach to work. The nine principles influence the way I manage my team and tackle challenges, and how I hope to change the way the sector functions. The most valuable message I have taken from him is the use of provocation as a communication tool.
In a field where it is vital to diversify and adapt, Tilden has given me the confidence to provoke reactions as we build a sector that is fit to survive in the future.
Hollie Davison is the resilience syndicate project manager for Culture Syndicates
Tilden’s advice may be 60 years old but it is still the go-to place for initial interpretation training, encouraging new sector entrants to think outside the box. Tilden’s principles encompass the key aspects of interpretation that we all take for granted. Encouraging personal experiences, storytelling and age-appropriate language were identified by him as vital to interpretive success.
Tilden guides not only my ability to interpret, but also my approach to work. The nine principles influence the way I manage my team and tackle challenges, and how I hope to change the way the sector functions. The most valuable message I have taken from him is the use of provocation as a communication tool.
In a field where it is vital to diversify and adapt, Tilden has given me the confidence to provoke reactions as we build a sector that is fit to survive in the future.
Hollie Davison is the resilience syndicate project manager for Culture Syndicates
