I've been experimenting with a really simple way to get boards (and staff and volunteers) involved in community history to begin thinking about the why of what they do. But it doesn't start with why, it starts with a what, a question about what single object represents their history. Last weekend I was down on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, working with such a group. I began the board meeting by asking each person to describe a single object that represented the county's history to them. I've tried this before and the answers are always both thoughtful and surprising. This time was no exception.
The group of 12 or so named not a single object that could be classified as a museum collection object--but taken together, they really did represent a history of this place. Here's some of the responses:
- The courthouse. I love to sit in the square in front and think.
- The marshes, the backroads and the rhythm of nature
- My great grandfather
- My neighbor Brud...an intense, colorful local history learned from him
- The Bay Bridge..."I'm almost there" when I cross it
2 comments:
The story of many communities, including my tiny one, is told by its old buildings. This is why I believe architectural preservation is so important. Buildings from the past are artifacts we live and work in--they are the ultimate interactive "exhibits," here today, still functioning, sheltering us, and telling of the past AND of today.
These are the types of things we address with a Community Experience Plan. It's essentially a blueprint for enhancing a community’s brand by revealing the community’s unique story and recommending methods to communicate that story to visitors as well as residents. This takes into account objects, people, places, stories, etc, and recommends ways to cohesively bring together all the different experiences. Available nationwide from Taylor Studios, Inc. out of Rantoul, IL.
Post a Comment