The Aiken Rhett House Museum's historic structures in downtown Charleston serve as a learning laboratory for participants to explore how to create a comprehensive and conscientious interpretation of slavery. Based on the book Interpreting Slavery at Museums and Historic Sites, this workshop helps public history professionals grow not only in knowledge, but also in skill and sensitivity, as they interpret slavery. Kristin Gallas will share best practices for connecting to and extending your site’s interpretation of its history of slavery; training to help staff achieve a greater understanding of difficult knowledge and navigate complicated emotions.
The workshop will provide participants with key tools and techniques for understanding their own process of learning and acceptance related to interpreting slavery, handling controversy, and promoting awareness. Additionally, attendees learn how to help their colleagues work through their concerns about sensitive issues of race and slavery. The workshop also covers how and why visitors respond to receiving new information on the history of slavery, and attendees gain specific skills to help audiences to a greater awareness of, and ability to sensitively engage with, the history of slavery, as well as tools for evaluating their own performance.