ABSTRACT
At the 1988 Association for Living History, Farm and Agricultural Museums (ALHFAM) Conference Ken Yellis, formerly of the National Portrait Gallery and Plimoth Plantation, shared lessons from his extensive experience for developing and implementing events—sage advice applicable for both large and small museums and events of all types. Portraits in Motion (PIM) is a continuing series of monodramas, readers’ theater, and small ensemble productions based on the lives and achievements of notable Americans. The education department of the National Portrait Gallery has produced these programs during the past ten years. The programs have focused on individuals who have made significant contributions to American political, cultural or social life, and who continue to be of interest to contemporary Americans. PIM deepened the public’s understanding of the museum’s collections and exhibitions, while enabling the museum to address the limitations of those collection and exhibitions, particularly in the area of neglected groups and individuals—notably blacks, women, westerners and southerners.
