Join us on Zoom for a conversation with museum professionals who work directly with sites associated with death, trauma, and tragedy.
From penitentiary museums and sacred burial crypts to historic séance programs, dark tourism sites draw millions of visitors each year. But where does curiosity end and voyeurism begin? How do cultural institutions balance visitor fascination with dignity, historical accuracy, and ethical stewardship?
Join a panel of museum professionals on Zoom for a dynamic discussion about working at historic sites associated with death, trauma, and tragedy. Our speakers will take you behind the scenes of prison museums, historic crypts, and historical séance programming to explore how they navigate sensitive histories without falling into sensationalism.
Topics of discussion will include:
- What actually constitutes “dark tourism,” and why does it captivate the public interest?
- Practical approaches to respectfully interpreting death, human remains, incarceration, and sensitive narratives.
- Exploring the psychological and cultural reasons visitors seek out dark heritage sites.
- Actionable takeaways for cultural institutions, historic houses, and tours seeking to integrate difficult histories with care and impact.
Whether you are a museum worker, tour developer, historian, or an avid traveler fascinated by the complexities of dark heritage, this conversation offers fresh insights into honoring the stories behind the shadows.
Speakers:
Meghan Gelardi Holmes, Prescott House, Dorothy Quincy Homestead, & Martin House Farm
Emily Spence, Old North Church Historic Site
Kristin Gallas, MUSE Consulting
Old North Illuminated’s 2026 Speaker Series events are brought to you in part by Hub Town Tours.
