PRIVATELY OWNED
HISTORIC HOUSES &
​CULTURAL HERITAGE
IN EUROPE

A deeper perspective...

We are all aware of the immense contribution made by private cultural heritage, giving aesthetic, historical, social, environmental and economic value. Along with these benefits also come several challenges, which need to be tackled by the families who preserve and manage these properties - and of course, their accompanying legacies.

Depending on their location, private owners of cultural assets may have access to state subsidies and technical support, as well as legal, financial, business, curatorial and other specialist advice.

​However, when it comes to the more personal challenges, goals or deeper dilemmas that they face, private owners have difficulty finding advice that spherically addresses the complexities of their unique situation.

What are some of these 'behind-the-scenes' challenges that owners or inheritors of heritage properties often face?

  • Family dynamics with unhealthy systemic or conflicting co-owner relationships 
  • Generational gaps, where there is little preparation for hand-over and communication of narrative, context and values 
  • Spouse or ex-spouse trying to influence the traditions and course of multi-generational family assets 
  • Ageing parents with unclear succession-planning or assuming that their heirs will continue just as they did 
  • Unprocessed family trauma, limiting beliefs, legacy burdens or epigenetic patterns going back generations

Not uncommon are...
  • Ethical dilemmas of future heirs, who are reluctant to make necessary life-changes to takeover a family estate – particularly if it is located in an isolated rural area 
  • Frustration, anxiety or being overwhelmed by financial pressures, unending renovations, increasing sector competition or struggles with bureaucratic government agencies 
  • Idealism or asset squander, combined with a failing entrepreneurial attitude, which can jeopardise the future of an estate 
  • Lacking vision or leadership skills, affecting the management, branding or implementation of an estate's business model 
  • Inability to express one's unique potential or innovate within a restricting family environment, hierarchy or business

​Other challenges may include...
​
  • Lack of privacy for families whose home & grounds are open to the public 
  • The need to dispose of parts of an estate, heirlooms, art collections or lands, in order to sustain the remaining estate 
  • Unsatisfactory distribution of assets among co-inheritors or a forced sale leading to emotional loss 
  • Coping with a historic house, its renovations, archive preservation, house order etc, without sufficient funding, technical knowledge, resources or personnel 
  • Personal psychological, emotional or physical health challenges
 
These and many other small or large issues, inevitably affect the overall well-being of the owner, their custodian experience, as well as the eventual course of their cultural assets.

There is a growing need for a more integrative, holistic approach to cultural heritage planning; one that places owner-empowerment and the owner’s experience at the very centre of the legacy.

For many years, Inheritance Muse Consulting has been addressing the unique questions, emotional challenges and dilemmas, which private owners of cultural heritage assets often encounter – individually or as a family. The 4-step Inheritance Muse Method™ process, helps bring the essential relief, insight, clarity which lead to optimum strategies and decision-making. Thus, helping support and empower owners, to be the main value creator, throughout all stages of their individual custodian journey.


Here is how you can work with us...
Bespoke services for historic home & collection owners include:
  • On-line private sessions
  • On-site meetings & actions
  • Project-based consulting & implementation
  • Access to local and international experts of the Inheritance Muse network

Services for professionals & institutions include: 
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  • Presentations, educational seminars and on-line webinars for their network or members 
  • Collaboration and advisory service
  • Content creation for their publications

​INSIGHTFUL
​INHERITANCE CONSULTING 
BEYOND THE LEGAL AND FINANCIAL

My experience as a heritage property owner, my training which combines decision-making, personal development and heritage management -as well as having lived & worked in various countries, allows me to easily address the varying cultures, needs and unique life situation of my clients.
To be true to tradition,
you need to be true to its flame, not its ashes.
-Jean Jaurès (1859-1914)
All rights reserved 2022.  Matina Agio
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