Castle, Christine M. “Teaching History in Museums.” (2002)

Museums can help Canadians remember why and how history is important, where visitors can explore the past and learn how to “do history” themselves. Historical interpreters (many other names for this position and descriptions are provided in Castle’s article) need to not only know how to “do history” but also need to know museums and history and why they matter. History interpreters must understand that teaching history in a museum requires an understanding of history and an understanding of the nature of museums and teaching. The first part of the article discusses how knowledge of the discipline of history is important for historical interpreters since knowledge of different disciplines offers different ways of understanding. Castle discusses the work of John Dewey, especially the notion of experience-based learning and how it has influenced the field of museum education. Castle applies these notions to museum education in a history museum and how historical interpreters must go further than simply offering an experience. The second part of the article uses three historical interpreters at a community history museum as a case study describing how personal experience and understandings of history influence their practice. Each of the interpreters has a different background: one in history who employs a constructivist method when teaching in the history museum, one in psychology and physical anthropology who employs an objectivist method, and the final interpreter who has a background in social work and also employs a constructivist method. If museums are to be seen as places where history is taught and learned, then historical interpreters are at the forefront and are placed as “masters’ of the discipline. They are on the frontlines, have the most interactions with the museum visitor and can help guide the visitors’ learning and understanding of the museum exhibitions and negotiate their understanding of history. It is important that history museums recognize the importance of historical interpreters and their influence in history making with visitors. Professional development and site training to support their learning is imperative.