Creating an Exhibit for the Archaeology Roadshow

The Roadshow showcases the fascinating and important archaeology and history in “our own backyard”, to instill local pride and a sense of stewardship in our citizens. Our goal is to excite and educate our visitors about archaeology, history and cultural heritage in Oregon and beyond. We encourage visitors to increase their understanding and respect for our diverse history, linked to Indigenous peoples who have been in our region since time immemorial, moving onto 19th century settler history, then onto more recent and ongoing immigrant history.   

To that end, we invite you to create an exhibit that conveys what we can learn from heritage & archaeology, how better understanding of the past contributes to a broader understanding of our place in the world today.  We want visitors to appreciate the deep connections archaeology and heritage have to Indigenous people and other descendant populations, including marginalized communities whose histories have remained hidden far too long.   

If you are a government agency or Cultural Resources Management company – consider showcasing results from a recent project that conveys what you learned or why it is important to our citizens. Most archaeology in the U.S. is carried out to comply with federal and state legislation – however the results of that work are practically invisible to the general public.  Your exhibit could be an excellent way to “give back”  to the public just a sample of what our tax dollars are paying for. 

For museums and cultural organizations, use your exhibit to share stories that honor the history and cultural traditions of your communities. Visitors will deepen their appreciation of our complex history and learn firsthand about the organizations working to protect that heritage. 

Each year the Archaeology Roadshow chooses a Theme – The Archaeology of Food, The Archaeology of Travel and Trade, The Archaeology of Dwellings, The Archaeology of Change, etc. and we invite exhibitors/activity creators to structure their exhibit with this theme in mind. New themes each year allow heritage partners a lens through which to highlight new stories that are unique to their area and their organization’s mission. Having a new theme each year also lets visitors know that there are a multitude of ways to consider archaeology and heritage, that the Roadshow experience will be new and dynamic each year, encouraging them to return again and again.  

This guide is designed to help you plan and create a temporary exhibit or activity for the Roadshow. Building on some 12 years of experience working with university students and community partners, we’ve learned what kinds of approaches tend “to work” – are broadly appealing, etc.      

Simple Operating Instructions:   

1- Do not feel intimidated!  If you’re new to public outreach and education, you might be anxious that your exhibit will fall short somehow.  It can be a little scary, stepping out of your comfort zone. Please put these thoughts aside.  If you care about archaeology and heritage, then you’ll be able to channel that passion and knowledge simply by “being present” at your table. Also, keep in mind that everyone hosting an exhibit had a “first time” at this. Folks tried one thing one year; then reflected on what they did and then tried something different in later attempts.  

2- Come up with 2-3 ideas you want visitors to take away. Start your planning by deciding on these key ideas. Some visitors will stop by for 2 minutes – sometimes they’ll stay for 10 minutes or even longer. But in general, work with the idea that you will only have a few minutes with your visitors, so don’t try to do too much. Think: less is more.       

3- Incorporate interactive elements to your exhibit. After you come up with the key takeaway concepts – think of how to support those ideas with props such as replica artifacts, images, photographs, maps, etc., that you have on the table, or post on the poster board behind you and the table.  Think of ways to exchange ideas with visitors versus simply talking to them. One way to create this exchange is to come up with a few questions – then use images or replicas to guide discussion between you and the visitor. We encourage “hands-on” activities  that can be as simple as coloring pages (for children) or puzzles. Aligned with the 2025 Art & Craft theme – you could provide opportunities for visitors to practice making traditional crafts (baskets, pottery, beads), or share artistic expression in music or dance.            

4- Suggest how visitors could learn more about the topic or idea you share, or your organization. If your organization hosts public talks, tours, walking tours – then share information about these.  Bring brochures if you have them. If you have a website or video to share, then promote that.  All of these are great to have and promote – showing visitors how they can learn more, follow their interests.    

Basic Booth Set-up: 

Each exhibit space consists of one 6′ or 8′ long table, 2 chairs and a poster frame & board behind the chairs. The poster backdrop consists of a PVC pipe frame from which hangs a corrugated plastic board, slightly less than 4′ x 6′. You’ll be able to use this poster frame/board however you wish. You can pin up one poster or several items. Here’s what the poster frame looks like:   

Altogether a typical booth takes up an area about 8 x 8 feet, but you can ask for more space when you register.    

Here are some photos of exhibits  from past Roadshows – showing the set up:

Creating Posters for your Exhibit:

We encourage you to create an oversized poster to pin up on the poster frame & board provided. Visitors will be wandering through the venue and deciding where to spend time.  The poster provides a thumbnail sketch of what your exhibit is about, what the visitor might learn. Think of the posters as creating “curb appeal”, inviting passersby to visit your booth.

As you design your poster – follow the dictum, “less is more”. Most people will not read your poster — they will be moved by images, maps, very simple bullets.  So avoid using too many words.  For titles, try provocative ones.   Questions in titles or as bullets can be a good way to draw people in and support good conversation.       

We’ve put some tips together to help you create a poster in  Microsoft PowerPoint or Google Slides:  Basically, you will be making ONE VERY LARGE SLIDE. To create your own poster, go into PowerPoint, then use “Design” menu—click “Slide Size”—far right. Then Click “Custom Slide Size”, then type in  size. If you are using Google Slides, click “File” and select “Page setup”. From the drop down menu, select “Custom”, then type in size.

Posters can be as large 56” x 40”, but can be smaller such as 36” x 24”. 

To help you, we’ve given you access to four posters — that you can download and use as a TEMPLATE. These are variable sizes. Click the link to download the PowerPoint file.

Form and Function Poster Template 56×40

Food Storage Poster Template 36×24

PBnJ Poster Template 48×36

Fake News Context Poster template 56×40

If you have questions, contact archshow@pdx.edu