Voices from the Back Stairs: Interpreting Servants' Lives at Historic House Museums
No Customer Reviews
Select Format
Select Condition 
Book Overview
Historic house museumsone of the most prevalent types of history museums in the countryhave long depicted the owners of the house and their families, but representing the servants has introduced a unique set of challenges. While museum professionals have increasingly incorporated women, immigrants, African Americans, and other minorities into portrayals of the past, these portrayals often show an idealistic world without class antagonisms or ethnic conflict. Exploring the domestic conflicts that may have existed between mistress and servant often creates a more vivid and believable experience for guests.
Through her examination of the pitfalls of interpretation, Pustz offers advice for museum professionals on programming accurate and compelling depictions of those who lived their lives in the back stairs and kitchen rather than in the parlor. Based on extensive surveys of historians at historic house museums, this informative study presents examples of successful interpretation programs, including those that have made the kitchen and servants quarters the most popular stops on the tour. Pustz encourages museum curators to look beyond the archives of their own institution and explore other era-appropriate sources, including advertising and housekeeping guides, when trying to create a complete picture of the house s servants, who often left behind few records.Format:Paperback
Language:English
ISBN:0875806228
ISBN13:9780875806228
Release Date:October 2009
Publisher:Northern Illinois University Press
Length:250 Pages
Weight:0.90 lbs.
Dimensions:0.8" x 6.0" x 8.9"
Age Range:18 years and up
Grade Range:Postsecondary and higher
Customer Reviews
0 rating
Copyright © 2025 Thriftbooks.com
Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information | Cookie Policy | Cookie Preferences | Accessibility Statement
ThriftBooks ® and the ThriftBooks ® logo are registered trademarks of Thrift Books Global, LLC
ThriftBooks ® and the ThriftBooks ® logo are registered trademarks of Thrift Books Global, LLC
