Living history museums are cultural institutions that merge historical
exhibits with live costumed performance. While unique and vitally
important, they often compromise historical accuracy and authenticity
for the sake of tourism and entertainment value. Many also pursue
methods of performance and historiography that are becoming increasingly
outdated. Living History Museums: Undoing History Through Performance
examines the performance practices used by institutions such as Plimoth
Plantation and Colonial Williamsburg, and offers a new genealogy of
living history museum performance in the U.S. and Europe. Currently,
existing scholarship on living history museums addresses the subject
from a museum-studies or anthropology perspective. Author Scott
Magelssen, however, approaches the material from a background in theatre
history and theory, analyzing living history museums using postmodern
methodology. Considering performance as a method for the study of
history and exploring emergent non-traditional theatrical practices, the
book offers suggestions for performance in an increasingly postmodern
landscape. Concluding with an international listing of living history
institutions and a complete list of sources, Living History Museums is a
valuable resource for students and teachers of theatre and performance
studies, cultural studies, folklore, popular culture, American studies,
and museum studies.
