Voting Home / Dallas Heritage Village
Nominated for: BEST Museum
Living history changes the presentation of materials and information from a typical “static” exhibit that a visitor would view from a distance (think roped-off paintings at an art museum, or artifacts displayed in a glass exhibit case) to a live experience, where the visitor talks with a costumed character of the past who is speaking in the vernacular of the day. Often the visitor interacts not only with the interpreter but also his surroundings. For example, a visitor to the 1861 Farmstead at Dallas Heritage Village will be greeted by “Mrs. Kennedy,” and can sit in her parlor, play checkers, help her with chores and talk with her about the Civil War, her gardens, animals, etc. Living history tends to be multi-sensory, providing sights, sounds, smells and textures.
