Sub themes and storylines
Adding Sub-Themes Research by Dr. Sam Ham indicates that visitors tend to remember information more readily when it is organized thematically, and that, based on…
Lesson Category: Theme
New Themes for New Times
History and heritage: not quite the same thing In seeking to ensure the relevance of our sites, we take the opportunity to step back and…
What is a theme, anyway?
Your theme is simply your message: simple, clear, compelling In the world of interpretation, we refer to messages as themes. The word ‘theme’ has different…
A Strategic Hierarchy
“Streakers, Strollers and Scholars” Museologist George Macdonald categorized visitors as streakers, strollers, and scholars. Streakers will read your title, perhaps your subtitle, and may glance…
The Big Idea
Working individually for fifteen minutes, complete this sentence. “What I really want visitors to understand about this place is the idea that…” Note for facilitators:…
When Good Planners Write Bad Themes
Pitfall 1: Stretching a Thin Verbal Canopy Over Unrelated Ideas “Simpson House is where Indigenous people, settlers and passing migrants met, worked and did business within…
Crafting Good Themes
It’s better to be specific than clever. We try so hard to come up with something pat and funny and memorable with our themes. I…
Thematic Integrity
Introduction Thematic integrity is what happens when a site’s design, architecture, editorial tone, look and feel, interpretation programs, visitor services and amenities all converge around…