[1] It is a type of museum that recreates to the fullest extent conditions of a culture, natural environment or historical period, in an example of living history.
Prospective employers are looking for interpreters who have good communication skills and are comfortable speaking in front of large audiences.
Costumed historians make history come alive through interactions that formulate social, cultural, and political connections with the past.
Third-person interpretation does not limit the costumed historian to a particular historical character or time period and maintain a working knowledge of both the past and present.
For example, a costumed historian will say that "They ate a healthy, seasonally varied diet that included corn, beans, squash, fish, venison, fruit, and vegetables".
Both first- and third-person costumed historians participate in demonstrating and performing daily tasks and crafts of the time period.
[4] He argues that living history museums function as powerful “time machines” that transport visitors both mentally and emotionally into the past for a unique learning experience.
This living history narrative developed because of the availability of small historical buildings and inaccurate replicas, prodding from the city, and the influence of Hollywood.
Museum professionals must grapple with these issues of conflicting audience and institutional needs which impact the overall structure of living history.