I admit it. I like technology. And I have gotten my hands dirty over the years exploring it. Sometimes with a lot of hard work; and on some occasions, a lot of fun. Makes moments like the one seen above seem to take me back in time.

But when it comes to showing that to other people who may not be so inclined, a list of facts and figures can become just another boring dissertation on a hunk of metal.

The challenge can be how we find the balance between explaining the “nuts and bolts” of a technology and why it mattered to the people who made use of it.

As an example, take a car in an auto museum. Could be restored to factory fresh condition as it rolled off of the showroom floor. Or it could be as it was, unrestored, with the fabric intact as it was driven by its owners. What is the greater story to share? Was it just another Model T Ford off the production line, any color you liked as long as it was black. Or was it a car like the 1907 Thomas Flyer that won the original New York to Paris race; still in running condition – out on the streets of Reno this last week?

Sure, it is amazing that the car is still around today and running, as it was designed to do so. But is there another story of greater importance to be told? Such as what happened to the men who made that trip from New York to Paris? If so, what method do we use to tell their stories? Do we take advantage of technology to the best possible use to do that?

I have seen first hand how telling a story can change when the technology becomes the way in which a story is told. As a docent at a railway museum, I was giving a tour to a group of middle school students. As we walked among the equipment and I was telling them what this streetcar was and where it came from, I could sense how bored they were. So as we came to the electric interurban car we were going to taken a ride on, I changed my approach.

I made the story I was about to tell one where they could imagine themselves as part of that story. I told them how this particular car had seen service carrying students just like them from homes in outlying parts of Sonoma County into Petaluma so they could attend school. And as we rode out into the open fields along the railroad line, I could see that because I put people into my story, it made them more interested. When we reached the end of the line and had to reverse directions, I took a brief moment and explained how this car had been retired by the railroad and hot the body ended up as a sewing room at a home outside of Petaluma. Again, making it seem more personal than just a train they were riding on.

The focus of this session will be to identify ways in which technology can be a story that relates to visitors and how to use technology to help accomplish that goal.

Roger Colton has been a volunteer in many roles at railway museums in California, Nevada and Hawaii, he has seen this connection in action on many occasions. He is also a member of the Walt Disney Family Museum and participated in development of the recent Walt Disney and Railroads exhibition.

If you have not visited the Presidio Main Post before, you may be in for a bit of a shock. First, parking is somewhat limited. Second, parking is not free. You must pay for that space. Click here for information on parking.

Remember, “The cost for parking permits range between $1.20 – $1.80/hour and between $7 – $8.50/day. These prices are based on the location and day of the week. All pay stations accept credit and debit cards, and many accept coins.

Parking regulations are ​enforced by the United States Park Police.​”

Much of the parking nearby throughout the will be taken by visitors to the Walt Disney Family Museum, located next door at 104 Montgomery. The Museum opens at 10:00 am.

So… I would suggest the following options –

Carpool. If you know other campers attending, make use of networking and share the ride.

Transit. There is good public transportation to the Main Post. SF Muni’s 43 Masonic route now serves the Transit Center directly. Visit 511.org to plan a transit trip. The PresidiGo Shuttle starts service from downtown San Francisco at 9:30 am on Saturdays, so if you use this option to travel to THATCamp, you will arrive late. But, the last departure from the Transit Center to downtown is at 7:00 pm, and best of all, it is free!

If you do drive to the Main Post, plan to leave home a bit early. Traffic crossing either the Bay Bridge or the Golden Gate Bridge can be unpredictable, not to mention what you may encounter on the surface streets in the City! Better to be early, than miss anything.

Roger Colton is the Operations Manager for the 511 Traveler Information Center. 511 is a joint project of the Metropolitian Transportation Commision, Caltrans and the California Highway Patrol. Call 511 on any phone or check 511.org for current traffic conditions and driving times before you’re on the road.

Walt Disney’s Carolwood Pacific Railroad, the scale model railroad train from his Holmby Hills backyard. On display in Gallery 9 at the Walt Disney Family Museum.

Have you ever visited some where and felt a connection? It could be anywhere. A bakery, a restaurant, a theme park, a library or a museum.

Those connections can be anything. A favorite experience recalled, a family moment, something from your own past or that of a distant relative or ancestor.

Why are these connections important? As a visitor, the greater the connection means the better the experience. As a location, the best possible connection with a visitor helps to generate the best possible visitor experience, which likely will lead to that visitor sharing with others, who may be potential visitors. Call it word of mouth, but it may be the best promotional effort you can invest in.

The Presidio Main Post offers a wonderful example with the Walt Disney Family Museum. It enjoys a connection with visitors that is only dreamt of by some locations. People of a certain age recall when Walt Disney came into their living rooms every Sunday night, sharing adventures and entertainment they could not wait to see. For these people, the WDFM offers an intimate look into the life of this man and the entertainment he brought. For another generation, the Museum provides a look into the name and the man beyond the brand of entertainment in theaters and theme parks. For those interested in the arts of film making and animation, the history of both are explored as visitors pass from one gallery to another.

This session would explore the concept of this connection with visitors. Why is it so essential? Can a connection be made with visitors who seem to have none? How can you and your organization create a connection? How can you identify this connection in action or if a failure exists to connect with visitors.

Roger Colton has been a volunteer in many roles at railway museums in California, Nevada and Hawaii, he has seen this connection in action on many occasions. He is also a member of the Walt Disney Family Museum and participated in development of the recent Walt Disney and Railroads exhibition.