Wag more, bark less

I saw that slogan on a bumper sticker this morning on my way to work and I thought it was a pretty great description of the changes we’re making to our public programs for reopening. We’re calling our new programmatic focus “Conversational Interpretation,” which means: “we want to talk less at you and give you more opportunities to talk back.” We want to wag more, bark less.

This isn’t an entirely new concept—we’ve always had a tremendous group of docents who are terrific at having great conversations about history with our visitors. But now, you’re really going to see this idea reflected in all of our programs. Instead of focusing on panel discussions and lectures that happen periodically, we’re planning more interactive programming out on the floor every day. When you visit the museum, we want you to have multiple opportunities to touch something, listen to live music, participate in a theater program, or just talk to one of us.

What’s been your most memorable visit to a museum? What did you enjoy most about it?

Megan Smith is an Education Specialist. She wishes her beagle Baxter would also wag more and bark less, but that’s a story for an entirely different blog.

Comments

[CarynW]

When I was 11, my family went from Albuquerque, NM to visit the museums in DC. While at the Museum of American History, I saw Abigail Van Buren's deep-blue gown from the First Ladies' exhibit. I still covet that gown, although I haven't seen it in years.

[Christopher Battle]

My favorite museum trip was to the Franklin Institute Science Museum. They displayed Ben Franklin's experiments with electricity and showed mini lightning bolts shot from one pole to another. Very cool.

[jessie_boo1232]

hey this was very helpful information i am a 7th grader and we are study of this american history in america!

love always thank you learned lots
jessica!

[Amanda]

My most memorable visit to a museum was when the NMAH featured an exhibit of artifacts from September 11th. I went with my mom while my dad was on active duty in Turkmenistan. It was very moving and I still remember seeing the steal beams everyone had signed in memory of those lost that day.