ABC Summer 2014 Issue Revised Order.Indd
National Trust a |b |c BULLETIN rts uildings ollectionssummer issue 2014 PLEASURABLE AND PROVOKING Interpretation should seek to ‘get into the soul of things’ isits to historic houses remain very popular; but I am not sure Vthat people enter National Trust houses with the anticipation of being excited, of their curiosity being stirred, of learning something new, or of being moved. I feel that kind of anticipation when I go to see a film or a play, and— more and more—when I visit a museum. I believe that our houses should —and could—pack a similar punch. This was certainly the view of Freeman Tilden (1883-1980), the American inter- pretation expert who wrote a handbook for US National Park Rangers in 1957. It The re-creation of the First World War hospital at Dunham Massey, Cheshire is a fascinating read, and 57 years on, it A visitor’s experience must, of course, is just as relevant to us today as it was to be pleasurable, and the National Trust has the rangers then. Tilden recognised that done a great deal in this area over the last interpretation is not just about facts. In- continued on page terpretation is about engaging people: to spark their curiosity, to tease them into INSIDE thinking differently, and to feel. In Til- den’s words, interpretation seeks ‘to get to the soul of things’, and in so doing it can 4 Acquisitions open a window in our hearts and minds. 5 Pevsner’s achievement reassessed Or, as Tilden also wrote, ‘the chief aim is Freeman Tilden not instruction, but provocation.’ 8 Unravelling Uppark, and Picture Frames at Ham House 9 Puzzle of the blind windows at EPHEMERA Mount Stewart 11 The long search for Emma FOR CRAGSIDE Vernon’s portrait at Hanbury A group of ephemera relating to Cragside Hall was purchased at auction at Anderson & 13 Saltram by the Book Garland, Newcastle, for £346 including buyer’s premium.
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