a case study in museum audience building presentations/1970s-living-room...a case study in museum...
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2015 Local History and Historic Preservation Conference, Middleton, WI
Jarrod Roll, Director
Monroe County Local History Room & Museum
Sparta, Wisconsin
A Case Study
in Museum
Audience
Building
Pick the Top TV Show Of the 1970s
Pick the Top TV Show Of the 1970s
“All In The
Family” was the
Number 1 Rated
TV Program for 5
Seasons
Top Grossing Film
Of the 1970s
Top Grossing Film
Of the 1970s
“Star Wars”
(1977)
Top Song Of the 1970s
Top Song Of the 1970s
"You Light Up
My Life“
by Debby Boone
Spent 10 Weeks
at No. 1
2015 Local History and Historic Preservation Conference, Middleton, WI
Jarrod Roll, Director
Monroe County Local History Room & Museum
Sparta, Wisconsin
A Case Study
in Museum
Audience
Building
• Examine how to target an audience using a
themed exhibit your Historical Society can do.
A Case Study
in Museum
Audience
Building
• Consider who our audience is and how to reach
them.
• Reflect on how visitors connect to history.
Why Build Your Audience?
Audiences are central
to a museum’s purpose
and sustainability.
How to Build Your Audience?
Pick a group of people to whom
you would like to be relevant,
and work with them to deliver
programs/exhibits that facilitate
a personal , meaningful
connection.
Monroe County Local History Room & Museum
200 West Main St., Sparta, Wisconsin
Sparta
Monroe County
Museum
Research
Library
Monroe County Local History Room & Museum
200 West Main St., Sparta
• Established in 1976 as a Co. Dept.
• 1 Full-time employee; 1 part-time
• 20 volunteers; half regulars
• 7800+ audience (museum, library, & off-site)
• ~2200 students annually
• Pop. Of Monroe County ~45,000
Monroe County Local History Room & Museum
200 West Main St., Sparta
• Two main audiences: Under 12 years old and over 50.
• How to reach the 30s-40s?
Why 30s-40s Don’t Come To Our Museum
• Don’t know about us.
• Don’t think there is something
for them.
• Not open when they can go.
• Family life is too busy
The Outcome…
• Increased visitation for season
• New partnerships formed
• Majority first-time visitors (target
group)
• LHR’s value to county reinforced
The Lowdown…
What the 1970s Christmas
display taught us about
audience building and
creating history exhibits…
The Lowdown…
Know who your
audience is…and who
you want it to be.
The Lowdown…
Be open at times that
your audience is likely
to come.
The Lowdown…
Go to conferences for
inspiration.
The Lowdown…
Step out of your
comfort zone.
The Lowdown…
Nostalgia is a powerful
tool. Use it to facilitate
a connection to
history…and your
museum.
The Lowdown…
Make it multisensory.
The Lowdown…
Invite visitors to
memorialize their
experience.
The Lowdown…
Shamelessly
self- promote.
The Lowdown…
Out of the ordinary things
get more media attention.
The Lowdown…
Publicize your successes.
The Lowdown…
Museum activities—exhibits,
programs—connect you to
your community and create
new partnerships.
The Lowdown…
Your museum can do this.
Questions?
Comments?
Examples?
2015 Local History and Historic Preservation Conference, Middleton, WI
Jarrod Roll, Director
Monroe County Local History Room & Museum
Sparta, Wisconsin
A Case Study
in Museum
Audience
Building