[NJARC] Re: Speedwell Village

[Alex Magoun]

Thanks for the very thoughtful and observant reviews of the new Speedwell
Village historic experience.  It sounds as if the organizers face the
ongoing challenge of all historical societies and museums, which, if it
can't be resolved by engaging interactive exhibits mixed with the historic
objects and displays, needs a compelling narrative to draw in families with
a lot of options for spending a couple of hours with the kids.  For an
opening day and other special events, they need an engaging, dramatic
narrative, like a re-enactment using early Morse code compared to horseback
in an 1840s mostly rural America, or some sort of play about the trials of
the Vails based on their letters.

 

I'm brainstorming here, but that's why people hire not just exhibit but
experience designers, and talk to their prospective audiences to find out
what they expect to find when they visit.

 

Best,

 

Alex