About this Event
How can we move history beyond textbooks, lectures, and exhibition cases and create experiences that allow people to connect with the past in meaningful and memorable ways?
Join Living Historian Allen Mack for an engaging, hands-on workshop exploring the art and practice of living history. Participants will learn how living historians use historical research, interpretation, material culture, storytelling, clothing, and first-person or third-person interpretation to create educational experiences that bring the past to life.
Designed for both beginners and those already working in history and education, the workshop will explore how living history can be incorporated into museums, historic sites, college classrooms, community programs, public events, and other formal and informal learning environments. Allen will guide participants through the foundations of developing a living history interpretation, including conducting research, building an authentic historical persona, selecting appropriate clothing and objects, engaging different audiences, and balancing historical accuracy with compelling storytelling.
Who Should Attend?
This workshop is open to museum professionals, educators, public historians, college students, reenactors, aspiring living historians, history enthusiasts, and anyone interested in learning how living history works. No previous living history experience is required.
Participants will leave with practical strategies for developing living history programs, a better understanding of the research and preparation required to become a living historian, and ideas for using experiential interpretation to make history more accessible, engaging, and relevant to contemporary audiences.
Recommended attire: Comfortable clothing; participants are not required to attend in historical attire.
Event venue & nearby stays
Leonel Castillo Community Center, 2101 South St, Houston, United States
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