Our past : implementing diverse public programs in historic house museums

The purpose of this study is to discuss the importance of implementing diverse\ud public programs in historic house museums. Specifically, the question of why so many\ud historic house museums have difficulty implementing such programs. A literature review\ud emphasizes the beneficial impact to both museums and communities through the\ud implementation of programs that address diversity. Three historic house museums, the\ud Sanchez Adobe, the Patterson House, and the Ford Mansion, were selected as case\ud studies to highlight successfully implemented diverse public programming. This thesis\ud offers recommendations, based on a study of pertinent literature and case-study analysis,\ud concerning basic steps historic house museums should take to create effective diverse\ud public programs. Providing historic house museums with simple and adaptable\ud recommendations to implement diversity in their programming will help them to remain a\ud vital part of the communities they serve