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Citation: 

Gosselin, Viviane. “Historical Thinking in the Museum: Open to Interpretation.” In New Possibilities for the Past: Shaping History Education in Canada, edited by Penney Clark, 245-63. Vancouver: UBC Press, 2011.

Abstract/Summary: 

Acting as a research agenda, this chapter strives to explore the potential of a historical thinking framework for museums and exhibition design and its reception by the museum visitor. History museums are one arena in which the public can learn about past events, people and places. The potential and limitations of historical meaning making though exhibition media in museums are discussed. Included is a review of current developments in the museum field relating to historical meaning making and thinking, the gaps in research, especially visitor studies at historical museums and sites, and the lack of a discipline based theoretical framework. How museum educational projects emerge and how they can be related to historical meaning making is presented. The chapter concludes with a discussion of how concepts of historical thinking can enhance and develop innovative museum practices.

Source/Credit: 
Erika Smith