Interpreting Religion at Museums and Historic Sites

<span><span>Interpreting Religion at Museums and Historic Sites</span><span> </span><span>encourages readers to consider the history of religion as integral to American culture and provides a practical guide for any museum to include interpretation of religious traditions in its programs and exhibits. Combining both theoretical essays and practical case studies from a wide cross section of the field, the book explores how museums are finding new ways to connect with audiences about this important aspect of American history. </span></span> <br> <br> <span><span>This book explores the practical and interpretive problems that museums encounter when they include religion in their interpretation:</span></span> <br> <br> <ul> <li><span>How do we make sure visitors don't think the museum is taking the side of any particular religious group, or proselytizing, or crossing church-state boundaries? </span></li> <li><span>How do we spin out a rich story with the available artifact base? </span></li> <li><span>What are the opportunities and perils of telling particular religious stories in a multicultural context? </span></li> </ul> <br> <span><span>These and other questions are addressed in a series of interpretive essays and case studies that capture the experimental and innovative religion programming that is beginning to find a place in American history museums.</span></span> <br> <br> <span><span>An introduction by Gretchen Buggeln places the subject of religion and museums in the intellectual context of national and international scholarship. Case studies cover a range of topics and venues that include outdoor museums, historic houses and exhibits; interpretive issues of secular and sacred contexts; and interpretive techniques like dialogue, music and first person accounts. A concluding essay suggests a publicly oriented historiography of religion for American museums and historic sites. </span></span>