Historian how-to

How to Write Museum Exhibit Text

Short text reaches visitors.

Updated By the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team
Quick answer

Short text reaches visitors. In short: find; write; keep, then complete the remaining steps below.

Step by step

  1. Find the big idea.

  2. Write a headline.

  3. Keep panels short.

  4. Use active voice.

  5. Add a quote.

  6. Test with visitors.

Safety reminders for historians

  • Handle documents carefully
  • Get oral history consent
  • Protect sensitive records
  • Follow site safety

Primary source · Secondary source · Oral history · Public history · Archive · National Register: see the full historian glossary.

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