Museums generally organise their stories around objects. But what to do when you don’t – or shouldn’t -have an object? Sometimes drawing attention to the lack of a material history can be just as effective. Steal This Idea is a new series of blog posts designed to promote some of the best heritage practices thatContinue reading “Steal this Idea: Empty Cases”
Tag Archives: Museums
Clio’s Armada: Mi’kmaq birch bark canoes and Todd Labrador
Two of my longed for Canadian pilgrimages (besides York Factory NHS!) is the Canadian Canoe Museum and Kejimkujik National Park and National Historic Site. The former because its obvious connection to my passions of fur trade history and boat history, and the latter because of how much they value Indigenous interpretation and crafts. And thatContinue reading “Clio’s Armada: Mi’kmaq birch bark canoes and Todd Labrador”
Steal this Idea: Book Buying Tips
Museums must have books for sale. It is important that your museum be a jumping off point on someone’s learning journey. But books are rarely good sellers at a museum gift shop. So why do we see so few museums use the same techniques a good bookstore does in highlighting its selections with messages fromContinue reading “Steal this Idea: Book Buying Tips”
Clio’s Armada: The Endeavour and the Australian National Maritime Museum
I was lucky enough to visit Sydney last year (2023) and even more lucky to experience the Australian National Maritime Museum (stupendous) and its exhibit of the replica (or simulacrum, if you prefer) of His Majesty’s Barque, Endeavour, the famous ship of Captain Cook. It was a stunning exhibition and the volunteer tour guide wasContinue reading “Clio’s Armada: The Endeavour and the Australian National Maritime Museum”
Clio’s Armada: The Golden Hinde in London
There are not many places in the world where a full-sized galleon replica can survive (and even thrive) as a museum ship. The Golden Hinde replica is that ship and London is that place. Many ordinary citizens, let alone history enthusiasts, don’t need to be told who Sir Francis Drake was (athough they might notContinue reading “Clio’s Armada: The Golden Hinde in London”
Clio’s Armada: Métis Bateau and Fort Langley National Historic Site
Over the Winter and Spring of 2020/2021 Fort Langley National Historic Site contracted a Métis carpenter to help complete a new bateau for display in the replica HBC post. These bateaux were a go-to craft for the Hudson’s Bay Company tripmen in places such as British Columbia (then called the Columbia District) and northern AlbertaContinue reading “Clio’s Armada: Métis Bateau and Fort Langley National Historic Site”
Steal This Idea: Themed Playgrounds
At North Wind we are a big fan of the maxim “sufficiently advanced learning is indistinguishable from play” (even if we don’t remember who originally said it!). Recently we have started to see a lot of museum-adjacent playgrounds and museum playspaces who have created infrastructure for play that resonates with appropriate themes. Ship-shaped play structureContinue reading “Steal This Idea: Themed Playgrounds”
In the News: Barbara and Tom return to Canada
North Wind Heritage Consulting founders Tom and Barbara have called their New Zealand/Aotearoa adventure to a close after nearly two years. Family concerns have led to a return to Canada and North Wind will be based in Vancouver for the foreseeable future (Although presentations virtually continue to spread our reach around the globe). Barbara hasContinue reading “In the News: Barbara and Tom return to Canada”
New training module: Tools for Inclusivity and Accessibility for Neurodiverse Audiences in Heritage Interpretation
How do you prepare your interpreters, tour guides, and educators to support neurodiverse students and audiences? We have a new module that can help. Through our careers, Barbara and I have met and associated with many diverse professionals with expertise and presenting skill. One of them has recently developed a presentation that will be ofContinue reading “New training module: Tools for Inclusivity and Accessibility for Neurodiverse Audiences in Heritage Interpretation”
New training presentation: Beyond the Box and Panel
Barbara and I have relocated to New Zealand, but we’re still finding ways to continue training tour guides and telling stories. Having recently assumed the Manager position at Mangawhai Museum, I was asked by the local Rebus club to fill in for a cancelled speaker. The talk I gave was a new one. Beyond theContinue reading “New training presentation: Beyond the Box and Panel”
North Wind Heritage Consulting 