House museums across the country are confronting difficult questions about relevance, sustainability, and meaning in the 21st century. What worked twenty years ago—traditional tours, decorative arts displays, and carefully preserved interiors—often isn’t enough today to engage visitors or generate financial stability. Communities are changing, audiences have new expectations, and historic sites are under increasing pressure to demonstrate their value.
That’s why Ken Turino (formerly at Historic New England) and I developed Reimagining the Historic House Museum, an intensive one-day workshop that helps professionals and volunteers tackle these challenges head-on. Over the past decade, we’ve led this program at sites across the United States, working with hundreds of staff, board members, and volunteers to think creatively about interpretation, audience engagement, and business models. Each workshop is highly interactive, blending case studies, small-group activities, and practical exercises. Participants leave not only with new ideas, but with concrete tools to implement change at their own sites.
This fall and next spring, we’ll be offering two opportunities to join us in person:
- Charleston, South Carolina – November 14, 2025
Hosted at Middleton Place, one of the nation’s most significant historic landscapes, this workshop situates conversations about house museums within a setting deeply connected to the histories of wealth, enslavement, and preservation. Charleston itself is a premier destination for history and architecture, and the workshop will highlight both the challenges and possibilities of presenting complex, inclusive stories. Learn more and register through AASLH: Reimagining the Historic House Museum in Charleston. - Nashville, Tennessee – March 9, 2026
This session will be held at Belle Meade, a site that has worked to reinterpret its history of slavery and plantation life alongside its well-known stories of horses and hospitality. Located in a rapidly growing city with a dynamic cultural scene, Belle Meade provides a rich backdrop for exploring how house museums can balance preservation, interpretation, and community engagement. Learn more and register through AASLH: Reimagining the Historic House Museum in Nashville.
Each workshop is presented by the American Association for State and Local History (AASLH) and designed for professionals at all stages of their careers. Whether you are looking to strengthen your museum’s strategic direction or seeking to make tours and events more engaging, you’ll find value in the program.
What You’ll Gain
Participants will:
- Examine case studies of house museums that have successfully reimagined their programs, operations, and missions.
- Explore strategies for engaging audiences of all ages and backgrounds.
- Identify sustainable business models that move beyond admissions and memberships.
- Work through exercises that apply these lessons directly to their own organizations.
- Build a network of peers who are grappling with similar challenges.
Above all, the workshop encourages participants to think boldly. The problems facing historic sites are real and often daunting, but there are also inspiring examples of innovation and resilience. We’ve seen firsthand how house museums can reposition themselves as vital community assets when they embrace experimentation and collaboration.
Join Us
If you’ve been wondering how to move your site forward—or if you simply need fresh ideas and inspiration—consider joining us in Charleston or Nashville. Space is limited, so early registration is recommended.
For details and registration, visit:
We hope to see you there!
Engaging Places 