GAHI Webinar – From static to sensory: immersive storytelling for diverse histories
Start: September 16, 2026
5:00 pm
End: September 16, 2026
From static to sensory: immersive storytelling for diverse histories
GAHI are pleased to invite you to the upcoming webinar on 16th September at 9:00 a.m. PDT (5pm UK time) organised by National Association for Interpretation (NAI).
Transform your historic house museum from static to sensory. In this session, Filoli’s staff share the journey from traditional, velvet-roped displays to an immersive “living home” designed to create a sense of belonging in every visitor. The Creating Home exhibit provided an opportunity to highlight Filoli’s diverse historic staff through innovative storytelling: 3D Matterport tours of secret passageways, projected footsteps in the Ballroom, and interactive phones featuring historical voices. By prioritising these multi-sensory methods over static signs, the site expanded its narrative beyond the wealthy owners to encompass the immigration stories and community of the staff who lived and worked there.
Presenters:
As Director of Collections & Interpretation at Filoli, Willa Brock oversees the historic house collection and brings the site’s stories to life through exhibits, tours, programs, and digital content. She also created and hosts Morning in the Garden, Filoli’s podcast celebrating its horticulture team, and holds a master’s degree in Museum Studies from NYU.
Katie Kenna led frontline talks and tours at Filoli for two years as a Guest Experience Specialist before stepping into the role of Interpretation Coordinator. She writes interpretive content, trains frontline interpreters, and helps produce Filoli’s podcast.
Registration link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/eSbJNEXZRD2xz5Fx1-bUcg#/registration
Time zone details:
5:00pm London (BST) | 9:00am Los Angeles (PDT) | 10:00am Mexico City (CST) | 6:00pm Ljubljana (CEST) | 2:00am Sydney (AEST, 17 September)