What Does Your Visitor Experience? Making the Most of Live Interpretation in a Unique Setting

Abstract

Archaeological Open-Air Museums (AOAM) offer a unique setting in which live interpretation can make history come truly alive. For many, or perhaps all, AOAM history is the product being sold to the public. During the five years the OpenArch project has run the partners have spent many hours discussing the merits of live interpretation in the unique setting of an AOAM. It is an effective method—whether done in first or third person—to entertain and educate. But what does the visitor experience when faced with live interpretation? How does it affect the transfer of information and what are the specific goals of this method? Are there alternatives?

Keywords

• living history
• education
• theatre
• newest era
• the netherlands