Conversational Interaction with Historical Figures: What’s it good for?

The enduring value of personal records sets the basis for historical inquiry. Yet using those records effectively is a demanding process. This paper explores the potential for conversational interaction with representations of historical figures that are constructed from primary and secondary source materials. An interview study, supported by a computational prototype as a provocation, is used to elicit expert assessments of the potential uses of such systems in historical museums. Qualitative analysis of study results reveals three broad classes of design implications: situating design in archival assurance, creating immersive user experiences, and supporting active inquiries.