Key messages state what particular aspect of a theme the interpretation will cover. Key messages don’t appear on interpretive material (though they may be reflected in titles), but it is useful to have them written down as a reference point for planning interpretive content. A key message (or ‘take home’ message) is what you want people to remember.

For any theme there will usually be much more material available than can realistically be used as content. Key messages guide decision making about what to include and what to leave out.

Example theme:                    The grain trade

Key message:          This town was a major port for exporting grain.

Stories could include: building the jetty; grain yields; drought; prominent grain growers; silos; railway transport; harvesting methods; harvest festivals; etc.

A group of interpretive objects may be assembled together to share one key message such as ‘this town was a major port for exporting grain’. Alternatively, in the Institute building example below, the importance of the building could be interpreted by conveying several key messages.

Example theme:                     Institute building

Key message 1:       People have been learning and socialising here for more than 100 years

Stories could include: use as a community library or wedding venue; dances; showing of movies.

Key message 2:       Wealth from mining built this place.

Stories could include: who financed the building; construction of the building; local materials used, information on the mine.

Key message 3:       From the time it was planned, this building had a chequered history.

Stories could include: accidents or scandals which occurred there; damage to the building from major events like flood or fire.