Filene, Benjamin. “Are we There Yet? Children, History and the Power of Place.” (2010)

According to the author, history involves three different areas: perspective, empathy, and context. Children's world-view is directly linked to their surroundings, their family and friends, and themselves. However, in their self-centeredness, children are not unlike most museum visitors. In order for history museums to become relevant, they have to connect to the world in which their visitors live. Linking to a visitor’s sense of place will enable them to better understand history; for children that means the necessity of a geographical link. The author discusses the history of museums while outlining that they have not always been considered places of learning. Since the 1980s, however, museums have continued to enhance their learning experiences. According to the author, there are four qualities that a good history museum possesses: precedent, change, agency, and perspective. The author discusses how history museums can be both destinations and places to "take off" for children. History museums are also places where children personalize history through their own experiences. It is important that history museums build place by linking history to the visitor’s present reality in order to enable them to make sense of the past.