Historic house museum

[4] These particular types of museums had interpreters in costume re-enact the lives of communities in earlier eras, which would then be performed to modern audiences.

They often occupied large wooden architecture buildings or outdoor sites and landscapes, that were true to the era, adding to authenticity.

This extended thesis examines the role of people and place, and how collective memory is not only associated with the individual but is a shared experience.

Thus, collective memory does not only reside in a house or building, but it also resonates in outdoor space – particularly when a monumental event has occurred, such as war.

Problematic creation of collective memory occurs within historic house museums when the narrative of non-family members is dismissed, ignored, or completely rejected.

Because museums are responsible for "the building of identity, cultural memory and community",[7] neglecting to include the narrative of all people who lived there is dangerous.

The space must be authentic in terms of truly replicating and representing the way it once stood in its original form and appear to be untouched and left in time.

The establishment of historic house museums increased in popularity through the 1970s and 1980s, as the Revolutionary War's bicentennial set off a wave of patriotism and alerted Americans to the destruction of their physical heritage.

The tradition of restoring homes of the past and designating them as museums draws on the English custom of preserving ancient buildings and monuments.

Initially homes were considered worthy of saving because of their associations with important individuals, usually of the elite classes, like former presidents, authors, or businessmen.

The survey also revealed a significant disparity in the number of visitors between local house museums and national sites.