Years
2018
Institution
Ford’s Theatre Society
As we did different interpretive media projects over the years at Ford’s Theatre, we started projects with the same questions: What are our messages? What content are we interpreting?
Several colleagues and I advocated for a single, unified interpretive plan for the site in anticipation of future interpretive projects. Management of both Ford’s Theatre Society and Ford’s Theatre National Historic Site—the two entities jointly responsible for the visitor experience at Ford’s Theatre—approved.
I served as project manager and contributed to the content of the interpretive plan.
What I Did
Served on core team
Took part in a core group of six staff members—three from Ford’s Theatre Society, three from the National Park Service—who drove this project forward.
Managed the process
Served as point-of-contact with the two consultants hired for the project, HG&Co as lead interpretive planner in collaboration with the International Coalition of Sites of Conscience.
Arranged for the consultants to lead us through training sessions with the International Coalition of Sites of Conscience, multiple iteration sessions with 20+ staff members to develop interpretive themes and non-negotiables, staff surveys to refine those themes, consultation with front-of-house staff, consultation with seven scholars, and approval by management of Ford’s Theatre Society and the National Mall & Memorial Parks.
Advocated that this interpretive plan resonate with concerns today, especially surrounding anti-democratic forces and political violence.
Disseminated the interpretive plan
Co-wrote a blog post about the process and content of the interpretive plan.
Co-led trainings for staff about the interpretive plan.
Set up an 80-page historical reference guide based off of the interpretive plan, directly writing content, bringing together contributions from others on staff, and leading interns in developing content.