Walking on Water: Maritime Museums and Walking Tours€¦ · WALKING ON WATER? MARITIME MUSEUMS AND WALKING TOURS William B. Roka Historian, South Street Seaport Museum. CAMM Conference

WALKING ON WATER? MARITIME MUSEUMS AND WALKING TOURS

William B. RokaHistorian, South Street Seaport MuseumCAMM Conference 2017, San Francisco

April 20, 2017

Scholar or Storyteller?

■ Historian is a student or writer of history, produces a scholarly synthesis. (Merriam-Webster)

■ History is a chronological record of significant events, often including an explanation of their causes.

■ Storyteller is a relater of anecdotes.

Magic of Maritime Museums

■ Not a static history.

– Movement■ Transportation■ Trade

– Liminal ■ We live on the edges and are

about the in-between.

The Power of Public History

■ Walking and exhibition tours are not just explanations. They tap into the ancient art of storytelling built on a foundation of historical scholarship.

■ Interactive scholarship– Direct engagement– Accessibility– Liveliness

Museum and Historic District

Walking Tours

Building Tours

Problems of Place

THANK [email protected]