As the oldest part of our country, New England has dozens of historic house museums. These famous living quarters tell the stories of the early colonists, prominent artists, social activists and influential authors. They give us a glimpse into these icons' daily lives.
But historic house museums aren’t just about old dining rooms and fine china. This hour, we learn about how some museums are trying new and creative approaches to tell the stories of the past, to keep visitors coming through their doors, and to keep donors enthusiastic.
We speak with a museum consultant, explore a major preservation project at the Harriet Beecher Stowe House in Hartford and learn about how The Mount -- the home of author Edith Wharton -- became the site of ghost tours and poetry readings.
GUESTS:
- Linda Norris - Independent Museum Consultant
- Shannon Burke - Director of Education and Visitor Services at the Harriet Beecher Stowe Center
- Cindy Cormier - Project Curator at the Harriet Beecher Stowe Center
- Susan Wissler - Executive Director of The Mount
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Lydia Brown contributed to this show.