Bibliography for Living Historians

Courtesy of Mississippi Valley Educational Programs, last updated Jauary 2004.  Please, PLEASE, send me bibliographic information on any other sources you may discover, and comments on the sources I have not read would be appreciated!

Alderson, William T., and Shirely Payne Lowe. Interpretation of Historical Sites (rev. ed.). Nashville:  American Association for State and Local History Press, 1987.  ISBN:   0910050732.

Highly recommended and often cited in other secondary sources. 

Anderson, Jay.  A Living History Reader, Volume I - Museums. Nashville:  American Association for state and Local History Press, 1991.  ISBN 0-942063-13-9.

An anthology covering a number of articles by different authors on the presentation of living history in museums.  A little too academic at times, especially the Marxist perspective article, but useful on the development of living history as an accepted (grudgingly) method of interpretation.  Many successful programs are described in concept and execution.  A volume 2 dealing with reenactors is supposed to be available in the near future as well.

Anderson, Jay.  The Living History Sourcebook.  Nashville:   American Association for State and Local History Press, 1985.  ISBN:   0910050759

I haven't yet tracked down a copy, but it is frequently referenced in other sources as thoroughly covering the subject.

Anderson, Jay.  Time Machines:  The World of Living History.  Nashville:   American Association for State and Local History Press, 1984  ISBN   0910050716

Black, Patricia F. The Live-In and Old Economy:  An Experiment in a Role Playing Educational Program in the Museum.  Ambridge, PA:  Harmonie Associates, 1972.

These people were doing "1900 House" thirty years ago.

Crews, Edward R. "The Guns of Williamsburg."  Gun Digest, 50th Edition, 1996, pages 27-32. 

Excellent article on the colonial militia interpretation at Williamsburg and the "drafting" of visitors into participation.

DeVries, William A. "Meaning and Interpretation in History."  History and Theory 22 no. 3 (1983), pages 253-263. 

The use of re-enactment and other methods of interpretation.

Hadden, R. Lee  Reliving the Civil War - A Reenactor's Handbook.   Mechanicsburg, PA:  Stackpole books, 1996.

A Must guide for the serious CW reenactor and living historian.

Hilker, Gordon.  The Audience and You:  Practical Dramatics for the Park Interpreter.  Washington, D. C.  National Park Service, 1974.

A How-to book on dramatics, necessary to put the actor into the reenactor.

Leon, Warren, and Roy Rosenzweig.  History Museums in the United States:  A Critical Assessment. Urbana, IL: University oif Illinois Press, 1989.  ISBN 0252014006.

This book is cited for the more scientific and quanitifiable effectiveness of Living History programs in education.

Lewis, William J. Interpreting for Park Visitors. Philadelphia:  Eastern Acorn Press, 1981.  ISBN: 0890620792.

The source of a 90% retention quote on the material presented through interactive living history programs, but I haven't laid hands on this text yet.

Spratt, Stephen D.  "Buffalo Soldiers Ride Again."  The American Legion Magazine, January 1987:  36-38.

An excellent article on how a man uses living history to mentor and work with inner city African-American youth and instill pride through real history.

Stover, Kate F.  "Is it Real History Yet?  An Update on Living History Museums."  Journal of American Culture 12 (Summer 1989):13-17.

Wexler, Henrietta.  "The Way Things Really Were:  Living History Museum Researchers Delve Deeper."  Museum News 66 (January-February 1988): 62-63.