Aislinn Pentecost-Farren

Climate Crisis Heritage Services

 
 

I help heritage organizations use their objects, collections, and landscapes to tell the history of the climate crisis. 

 

I offer public history and art services to historic sites, museums, and parks.

Over the past 10 years, I have led dozens of creative projects that deepen accessibility and critical engagement with historic places and green spaces

Though climate scientists cite many historical factors in creating the climate crisis, few history institutions include climate change in their interpretation or education. As society grapples with the effects of the climate crisis, places with histories of industry, extraction, colonialism, agriculture, and energy have new responsibility and new relevance.

Historic places can not only provide context for the origins of the crisis, but illustrate solutions. Our transition to fossil fuels in the 19th century is a story of innovation and social change that demonstrates how the 21th century transition to renewables is possible. Pride in our heritage can be a resource in this crisis. Successful interpretation connects audiences with deeper understanding that empowers, not overwhelms.

I combine rigorous interdisciplinary research, first-hand knowledge of interpretation and curriculum design, and an inclusive and generous approach to audience relationships formed by years of experience helping historic sites expand their relevance through art. 

 

Coal storage room with small-gauge rail system in the basement of The Elms, Newport, RI. Photo by Aislinn.

Visitors looking at Rise, a measuring device for sea level rise created using a historic stone staircase at Glen Foerd. Photo by Walker Tufts.

 

Highlighted Projects

The Elms, Newport, RI - Audio Tour Script Expansion

Lowell National Historical Park - Historic Context Statement

Philadelphia Museum of Art - Self-Guided Tour

Bartram’s Garden, Philadelphia, PA - Stories We Know and BARETEETH artist residency

Riverfront North Greenway Partnership - Up The Creek: The Frankford Underground Railroad Lantern Parade

 

I’ve Worked With

Mural Arts Philadelphia
Fairmount Park Conservancy
Riverfront North Partnership
Elsewhere
Western Carolina University
Philadelphia Parks and Recreation
Arts Council of Wales
Hidden City Philadelphia
Bartram's Garden
Glen Foerd on the Delaware
The Philadelphia Lazaretto
PennPraxis
+ more 

 
 

What I Offer

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Climate Crisis Heritage Interpretation for Public History Organizations

Planning and Visioning

  • Research - discovering climate crisis histories of artifacts, buildings, and landscapes through archival, secondary, and oral history sources 

  • Historic Context Statements - synthesizing existing organizational knowledge with original research to reframe your heritage within the history of the climate crisis

  • Interpretive Planning - Developing themes and methods for interpretation that align climate crisis history with organizational goals and audiences.


Implementation and Production

  • Content Development and Writing - for tours, exhibits, mobile apps, and online

  • Tour Production - theme development, artifact and route selection, script writing and guide training and/or audio production



 

Art Curatorial Services for Heritage Sites, Museums, and Parks

  • Program design for art commissions and artist residencies 

  • Art-based local audience engagement

  • Artist selection process supervision

  • Artist and art production management