Too often plans include lofty goals and compelling visions, yet lack well-defined outcomes. Understanding what success looks like helps bring about consensus, inform the appropriate business/ implementation model and also instruct the best way to measure impact. A session at the 2015 AASLH Annual Conference in Louisville featured the Golden Historical Society and the planning process used to revive the Astor House into the National Museum of the American Boardinghouse – telling the little known story of a lodging sector. Facing declining attendance, the Historical Society conducted prototyping to determine possibilities for the National Register property before inviting the community to weigh in on ideas. The outcome: a 100% hands-on facility with program designed to increase repeat visitation. This is a museum worth visiting!
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