WALKING ON WATER? MARITIME MUSEUMS AND WALKING TOURS

William B. RokaHistorian, South Street Seaport MuseumCAMM Conference 2017, San Francisco

April 20, 2017

Scholar or Storyteller?

■ Historian is a student or writer of history, produces a scholarly synthesis. (Merriam-Webster)

■ History is a chronological record of significant events, often including an explanation of their causes.

■ Storyteller is a relater of anecdotes.

Magic of Maritime Museums

■ Not a static history.

– Movement■ Transportation■ Trade

– Liminal ■ We live on the edges and are

about the in-between.

The Power of Public History

■ Walking and exhibition tours are not just explanations. They tap into the ancient art of storytelling built on a foundation of historical scholarship.

■ Interactive scholarship– Direct engagement– Accessibility– Liveliness

Museum and Historic District

Walking Tours

Building Tours

Problems of Place

THANK YOU!wroka@seany.org