Today we’d like to introduce you to Gene Harmon.
Hi Gene, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
For a number of years, I had been involved on a volunteer basis with creating and implementing interpretive programs at state and national parks, as well as museums and other sites. After being laid off from a couple of IT jobs, I included “living history” as part of my online job search. I came across a position as a living history interpreter for a concessionaire and took a shot in the dark applying for it. They offered me the job and I worked in Alaska during the summer of 2013 in Denali National Park & Preserve, portraying a park ranger in 1941. I already had a passion for this type of work and thoroughly enjoyed it. That summer set me on my professional career in Interpretation.
After that summer, I returned home and worked for a large metro area museum where I really began to fine-tune and improve on my craft. At this museum, I portrayed the owner of their 1920s mansion in a constant improv-type setting. From the moment we opened until we closed, myself an other interpreters were “in” 1930. I created training and worked with the other interpreters to help improve their interpretation.
During this time, I began my independent venture with Inheriting Heritage, LLC. It was received well and began to grow as I added clients. However, it took a major hit with the arrival of COVID. A great number of scheduled appearances were canceled. The face-to-face interaction with small or large groups was not going to happen for a while. The positive outcome from this was working a consulting contract with a NPS site in North Carolina. Everything was done virtually.
Now relocated to a more central position of the country, Inheriting Heritage, LLC is building foundations to make a name for itself.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Besides COVID causing museums and other sites to lay off their interpretive staff, I think the biggest struggle has been marketing on practically a non-existent budget for extras.
Another big one has been misunderstanding what I provide. There have been instances where I immediately get blasted because of the living history interpretive aspect. They have knee-jerk reactions and place a negative stereotype on my work. After explaining in more detail through conversation, they have a much better grasp of where I am coming from, removing the initial negative view.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
In addition to a podcast, Inheriting Heritage, LLC provides professional interpretive consulting, interpretive training, and heritage interpretation to sites nationwide and is passionate about helping people connect to historical, cultural, and natural resources. Extensively involved with the planning and implementation of living history programs since 2006 as a volunteer, a 2013 summer position in Alaska launched the professional career in interpretation. Five months were spent in Denali National Park and Preserve, portraying a 1941 park ranger. Extensive research was involved regarding Alaska, the park’s history, the ranger himself, and the natural fauna of the wilderness. From these historical facts was built a presentation from which accreditation was obtained as a Certified Interpretive Guide (CIG) and passed the scrutiny of the National Park Service.
As a Certified Interpretive Guide (CIG) with the National Association for Interpretation (NAI), Inheriting Heritage, LLC has access to an international network of interpretation professionals in museums and park systems around the world, staying abreast of the newest trends and techniques in interpretation. As an interpretive coach, extensive training sessions have been provided for museum staff, interpretive documentation/manuals have been created, and assistance has been given to NAI trainers in the implementation of CIG courses.
Inheriting Heritage, LLC has developed and implemented interpretive programs at state parks, national parks, historic sites, and museums.
Inheriting Heritage, LLC has also been approached by members of the sales and marketing fields who are interested in adapting interpretive training to improve the effectiveness of their respective staff.
The manager of Inheriting Heritage, LLC has served previously as the Deputy Director of the Sunny Southeast Region of the National Association for Interpretation.
What are your plans for the future?
My plan is to bring meaningful interpretation to as many sites as possible. The greater number of connections I can get people to make to sites the better. This includes the training of interpretive staff, creation of interpretive programs, and working with site management to create interpretive guidelines. We are in a time where the normal status quo of “that’s the way we have always done it” does not work anymore, especially in this field. We must think outside of the box.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://inheritingheritage.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/inheritingheritage_llc/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Inheriting-Heritage-LLC-2552636588134937/?ref=py_c
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gene-harmon-34898434
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@inhhtg
