Certified Interpretive Guide Training Workshop at the Lincoln Heritage Museum

[August 15, 2014]  LINCOLN - The Lincoln Heritage Museum, in partnership with the National Association for Interpretation, is offering a professional certification course for individuals who will be delivering interpretive programs or having public contact at interpretive sites October 4th, 11th, 18th & 25th, 2014.

The Certified Interpretive Guide program is designed for anyone who delivers interpretive programs to the public. It combines both the theoretical foundations of the profession with practical skills in delivering quality interpretive programming to visitors.

Throughout the Lincoln Heritage Museum’s history we have been providing Lincoln College with a valuable academic resource with our large collection of Lincoln and American nineteenth century items. This workshop will incorporate first-person storytelling in historic environments within the galleries of the museum. Participants will be educated with a very human and personal touch as they study individuals from the past.

This workshop will involve the discipline of history, fine arts, museum studies, and community partnerships. Individuals will examine historical interpretation as philosophies, movements, techniques, and educational interpretative tools. In addition, individuals will develop an understanding of how living history interpretation can create understanding and give meaning to the story of Abraham Lincoln & the people that influenced his life to a contemporary audience. The assigned readings, lectures, and discussions will facilitate one’s active participation in the planning, development, and implementation of living history programming at local Abraham Lincoln historic sites and museums in the central Illinois.
This will give individuals the opportunity to work at a historic site or museum as a certified interpreter.

This 32-hour course includes:

• History, definition, and principles of interpretation
• Making your programs purposeful, enjoyable, relevant, organized, and thematic
• Using tangible objects to connect audiences to intangible ideas and universal concepts in interpretive programs
• Presentation and communication skills
  Certification requirements (open book exam; program outline; 10-min. presentation)

For those who would like to participate in this certification course please visit our website at http://museum.lincolncollege.edu/education/cig-workshop/  or call the museum at [phone] for more information.

[Text received; ANNE MOSELEY, LINCOLN HERITAGE MUSEUM]