call me old-fashioned but I think visitors to historical sites have the right to a fully analogue experience of the building if they want it
tech is great for accessibility, and to provide supplemental info for self-guided places. I don't mean an experience without seeing OTHER PEOPLE use their phones, a kiosk, an iPad, etc. that would be unfair to people who needed the accessibility features. just that those things should be opt-in
screens at low angles on stands so they're only visible if you actively walk up to them. iPads, as previously mentioned. audio tours accessible on your phone, but with a request to please only use them with earbuds/headphones. real human staff one can talk to.
NOT screens positioned upright on walls, timed light/sound shows that fill the whole space, etc.
I'm there to see a historical building I can't see anywhere else, in real physical space. not to look at a screen or a projection unless I make that choice, to answer a specific question or similar. and I should be able to have that experience of the site if I want to
sometimes the experience of working in museums truly is like
the higher ups: "this is the future of museums! this is what the public wants!"
me, working with the public on a daily basis: "I assure you that they really do not. also could you maybe spend that (non-use-specified) money on fixing the many small issues with this building we steward and preserve before they get worse, or perhaps paying us a living w-"
the higher ups: "THIS $1 MILLION GIZMO WILL PUT US ON THE MAP I SAY"
