One of my first assignments fresh out of graduate school was to create a student house tour of the Butler-McCook House in Hartford. And the first book I turned to for help was Great Tours!: Thematic Tours and Guide Training for Historic Sites.

Great Tours! helps tour writers focus on the material culture and site specific significance of museums--and then turn around and train guide staffs to present the material to the public.

The book stresses the value of creating and offering "thematic tours"--tours that serve both the site and the visitor because they organize important information strategically in ways that help visitors learn and remember.

Part One examines the process of developing the thematic tour and helps tour creators both plan and create the tour itself.

Part Two provides instruction on training guides to give thematic tours--from understanding and interpreting material culture to communicating effectively with the audience.

Part Three focuses on how to manage your site's guides effectively.

The book offers very helpful activities, worksheets, and forms to help you throughout the process.

Great Tours! also shares an excellent bibliography at the end to provide relevant background and informational readings that are both practical and, for the most part, readily available.

Part of the American Association for State and Local History Book Series, Great Tours! was published in cooperation with the National Trust for Historic Preservation. 

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