Museum Registrar Christina Thompson Reflects on Her Experience as an Historical Interpreter

Museum Registrar Christina Thompson joined me on the podcast for a fantastic conversation about the years she spent as a costumed historical interpreter in central Iowa. With a professional background in museum collections work and an insatiable love of learning, Christina brought both passion and expertise to the different roles she embodied at sites throughout the fictional historical town of Walnut Hill.

During our chat, she explains how historical interpreters are trained, and the many hats (both symbolic and literal) they may wear throughout a single workday. Historical interpreters are often the only museum staff or volunteers at a particular site, which means they are responsible for everything! Whether it's managing visitor services and safety, leading tours or programming for visitors and school groups, cleaning and site upkeep, collections care, or any additional duties that the site requires (such as farming, making brooms, demonstrating printing presses, or in Christina's case, a lot of cooking), historical interpreters really are the heart and soul of a living history museum.

I had so much fun talking with Christina and I hope you enjoy the episode, too.

Christina Thompson has a Master of Arts degree in Humanities and Social Thought with an Advanced Certificate in Museum Studies from NYU. She has been an Historical Interpreter and Domestic Coordinator at Living History Farms in Urbandale, Iowa, and a Museum Technician at the State Historical Society of Iowa. For the past three years, Christina has been an Anthropology Collections and Registration Assistant at the Field Museum in Chicago.

Please note:

The views and opinions expressed by the guests on this podcast do not reflect the views of their respective employers.