Dale Jones founded Making History Connections to help museums and historic sites offer meaningful programs and experiences that connect with visitors. A background in folk studies, theatre, oral history, and historical interpretation shapes his approach to innovative and creative programs while his experience in visitor studies helps determine what interests visitors and what will likely bring them back.
Interpersonal and Live Interpretation
Dale creates compelling and provocative experiences using museum theatre, living history, and guided tours to engage and entertain, and to portray conflicts and complex issues. “Programs that resonate help make lasting connections with the people, places and events of the site,” he says.
Dale has scripted scores of museum theatre productions, including Scenes from 1837 at Conner Prairie and Old Sturbridge Village, interactive American Girl Doll plays for the Pleasant Company, and The Value of Life, for the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum.
As Director of Interpretation, Baltimore City Life Museums, he produced museum theatre, living history and hands-on programs for over 200,000 visitors. He created hands-on walking tours for the Discovery Channel Store in Washington DC., and recently designed the living history interpretations for AASLH’s living history research project.
Visitor Studies
At the Institute for Learning Innovation, Dale conducted visitor studies with history museums and sites across the country, including the International Spy Museum, Pennsylvania Humanities Council, Maryland Historical Society, National Archives, Mystic Seaport Museum, Newport Mansions, and the Museum of Jewish Heritage. His skills include audience analysis and evaluation; individualized strategies with focus groups, interviews and questionnaires; and staff instruction in use of evaluation.
Staff Training
Throughout his career Dale has designed unique visitor experiences and then trained staff to deliver engaging interpretations. He also leads customized workshops in evaluation, museum theatre and interpretation.
Professional Activities
Dale is active in AASLH, ALHFAM, MAAM, MAHM and AAM and is affiliated with Qm2. He frequently presents sessions and workshops and writes articles, such as Personal Connections and the Great Cosmic Soup, featured in the spring 2008 issue of AASLH History News. |
