ABSTRACT
Craft demonstrations are among the most popular activities at living history sites. As historians, craftspeople, interpreters and living history professionals, seem to take it for granted that historical accuracy in presentations is a goal to be pursued. However, with competition for America’s leisure time coming from every direction, many leading thinkers in the field are questioning the value of historic authenticity. A living history site, museum or organization must thoughtfully define its goals, and the messages it intends to convey through its craft demonstrations. Goals should include research, preservation of material culture and skills, education and enjoyment. In this system, craft demonstrations can fulfill all these goals. They can also serve as hooks to catch the interest and imagination of visitors. On these hooks broader interpretive themes can easily be hung: social, political, economic and other “histories” can be more easily conveyed.
