DEMHIST Workshop 2006: Sustaining historic house museums in the 21st century

In an attempt to be immortalised in stone, our forefathers built their dwellings with a sense of permanence and pride. Constructed to reveal their individuality and status, many of these structures were built both for the nobility and the local townsperson.

As a result of this, structures which have survived into the 21st century largely unscathed assist us to gain an understanding of the conditions in which people once lived. It also gives us a fascinating glimpse into how people once designed and decorated their personal space.

Today, in an attempt to reconnect with our past we have become more aware of the cultural significance both on a cultural and personal level. Our historic houses have become a niche area within the tourism market that in an effort to further promote the importance of our Maltese heritage, should be further sustained and explored.

During the late Eighties and Nineties there was a development in heritage which moved away from the traditional institutionalised sector to introduce private entrepreneurship. As a result of this, historic houses in Malta have come to the fore as interesting examples of alternative management systems.

The establishment of these venues has caused a shift from central government orientated heritage management systems to attract direct investment by private entrepreneurs, foundations, trusts, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and quasi non-governmental organisations (QUANGOs). Today, the current policy in the Maltese tourism industry, largely emphasises and focuses on culture as a whole in promoting these assets.

Through the need to further promote this significant area of the tourism market, ICOM-DEMHIST in collaboration with Heritage Enterprise have launched the second call for papers for the 2006 annual workshop.

DEMHIST (Demeures historiques - musées), which is promoting the workshop internationally, is the expert committee of ICOM for the management of historic house museums.

Created in 1999 with the purpose of addressing issues in this particular and unique field, DEMHIST has held international conferences in historic places and castles each year since 2000 in an effort to study current restoration projects and the wider issues they raise. Members have been attracted from different countries worldwide. Currently it has a wide range of experts from over 30 states worldwide.

This year, Malta has been chosen from among other European countries to host the 2006 workshop, which will gather experts from various historic house museums to discuss crucial topics on the future of historic houses.

The uniqueness of our vernacular architecture, the private collections and the spurring of a tourism policy permeating on cultural heritage, have made Malta, an ideal country to hold the DEMHIST 2006 Workshop.

The ICOM-DEMHIST experts' meeting and workshop, which will be held at the Phoenicia Hotel between October 10 and 13, is supported by various organisations. Local government bodies, such as Heritage Malta, Air Malta, the Malta Tourism Authority, MCAST and non-governmental agencies, like ICOM Malta, Fondazzjoni Patrimonju Malti, Images Systems Ltd, IES Computers, Le Meridien and ECO World Travel, have all contributed towards this event.

Private historic house museums, including Casa Bernard, Casa Rocca Piccola and Palazzo Parisio and gardens have also been very supportive towards offering their experience and valuable time.

The workshop will also integrate the Maltese aspects of this sector through the presentation of papers by local and foreign experts. The programme will be an open forum based on presentations and plenary sessions, which will examine issues directly affecting historic house museums.

"Managing the past for the future: Sustaining historic house museums in the 21st century" will be the central theme of the workshop, which will in the end produce written standards, guidelines and resolutions for international action by ICOM members.

Themes will focus on planning for historic houses, the economics behind successful establishments, capacity building and principles and ethics in management.

One area of great importance to the success of a historic house museum is planning and development. These fundamental areas that are largely dispensed through administration and management can be the key ingredients to a site's success or failure as a tourist attraction.

The central issue of heritage management and economics lies in the application of the principles of sustainability, viability and long-term effects without jeopardising the historic fabric.

Business principles need to be balanced out, bearing in mind tangible and intangible assets that may be at 'risk' through aggressive marketing or visitor impact. How can these conflicting issues work together through applying a gentle management approach so that a property and the intangible heritage which is connected to it, survives for future generation?

Other topics of discussion will include ideas for funding, funding incentives and initiatives, capacity building and professional development, and ethics and principles in historic houses management.

The DEMHIST Workshop 2006 is open also to non-members. Group fees for students or professionals are also being launched to facilitate access to interested groups. People wishing to know more about the workshop may do so by contacting Heritage Enterprise directly or by viewing www.heritagenterprise.com.

Heritage Enterprise, which is organising the DEMHIST workshop on a voluntary basis, provides consultancy and professional assistance in the field of building conservation, heritage management, site management and museology.

Heritage Enterprise can be contacted via heritage_enterprise@onvol.net or www.heritagenterprise.com.