Sustaining historic house museums in the 21st century

Without doubt, Malta has some of the best examples of historic homes within Europe. Although visitation numbers to Malta show that international tourists are increasingly visiting historic house museums, they are largely going unnoticed by the Maltese.

Historic houses are alternative heritage assets which could be further explored in an attempt to provide a diverse presentation of history and interpretation of our cultural heritage. Such sites also give the opportunity to owners or directors to communicate on various levels.

They also assist through the exchange of knowledge such as 'best practice' principles and ethics at the planning stage which could be very beneficial towards operating such a site.

To highlight the importance of these historic houses and to discuss the issue of 'best practice' through sustainability, an international workshop held by DEMHIST (Demeures historiques - musées) was recently held for the first time in Malta.

Created in 1999 DEMHIST is the expert committee of the International Committee of Museums (ICOM) for the management of historic house museums. It has held international conferences in historic places and castles every year since 2000 to study current restoration projects and the wider issues they raise.

Aimed at the sustainability of historic house museums in the 21st century, the workshop brought together national and international heritage professionals and interested groups to discuss and debate important management issues directly related to such museums.

Held at Le Meridien Phoenicia, Floriana, the event was officially opened by Education Minister Louis Galea, DEMHIST president Daniela Ball, and ICOM Malta president Claude Busuttil.

Two international keynote speakers were invited: Dr Linda Young, senior lecturer, Cultural Heritage Department, Deakin University, Australia, and Mr Neil Greive, chief executive, Tayside Building Preservation Trust, Scotland. The workshop attracted over 80 people from 25 countries.

Opportunities were also given to other international and national professionals to present papers. These were primarily set and discussed on the themes for which the workshop was developed.

Themes focused on the planning for historic house museums, the economics behind successful establishments, capacity building and principles and ethics in management. These were then followed by study visits to key houses museums in which these topics were further discussed by their directors.

By doing this, it enabled both local and international participants to share knowledge, discuss current trends, learn, and build partnerships with each other. It also gave Maltese house owners, managers and curators the opportunity to discuss significant issues which they face every day.

Developed and co-ordinated on a voluntary basis by Heritage Enterprise in collaboration with DEMHIST and ICOM Malta, the Demhist workshop was supported and sponsored by the Malta Stock Exchange, Air Malta, MCAST, Le Meridien Phoenicia, Heritage Malta, MTA, Eco Tours, Midsea Books Ltd, IES Computers Ltd, Image Systems, Fondazzjoni Patrimonju Malti, Palazzo Parisio, Casa Bernard and Casa Rocca Piccola.

As a result of this workshop, a committee is being established within Malta to develop the first Maltese Historic Houses Association.

The committee will include various private house owners, owners of house collections and heritage professionals.

The main aim of the MHHA will be to assist the preservation of historic houses, their contents and their gardens in private ownership as in the case of similar associations in the UK, the US and Australia.

In some cases an outstanding garden may join in its own right irrespective of the quality of an adjoining house. Exceptional houses which are not listed but which contain pre-eminent collections may also join, as these objects have been kept in their totality. Smaller properties, which could not contemplate opening to the public, can also become members of the association, and those who are generally interested in historic houses may also join. Because of this, membership to the Maltese Historic House Association will be on four levels.

Anyone wishing to know more about the association or would like to become more involved within the development of this organisation can contact Heritage Enterprise on tel. 2180-9166 or e-mail heritage_enterprise@onvol.net.

Heritage Enterprise has included a paper on the development of a possible Historic Houses Association locally and sources of funding.

This is available online at www.heritagenterprise.com, which includes a forum on the themes launched during the conference. It is also planned that extracts of these fora will be published in the DEMHIST International annual.