Historic Houses

Studies the preservation of historic homes as museums in Boston and beyond. This year, the course focuses on the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum. Considers its place in debates about Romantic nationalism, and the house museum as an expression of its owner's vision past and present. Topics include: invented traditions, group memory; curation, authenticity, conservation, and the problems of caring for a static collection. At least 4 sessions held in the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum with its curatorial team. Students have the opportunity to curate their own digital exhibition based on the collection.