The Local Museum

I have been to museums all over the world (see my main blog for such experiences) and have rarely encountered any that I did not appreciate and enjoy on some level. As a generally optimistic individual, I generally try to see the best in the situations I experience, including my museum experiences. However, this week’s readings have encouraged me to think critically and consider asking more of museums.

              

 I was grateful for the balance that came with reading both “Local History,’ Old Things to Look At,’ and a Sculptor's Vision: Exploring Local Museums through Curriculum Theory” by Elizabeth Vallance and “The Museum, a Temple or the Forum” by Duncan F. Cameron. Though I should have known via the absence of an oxford comma in the title Cameron’s chapter that I would enjoy the piece on the local more, both chapters brought valuable insights to my thinking about museums.

                

The chapter by Cameron focuses mainly on public museums. It calls all that would dare call themselves museums to a high standard of social and political responsibility. While the level of objectivity demanded in this chapter may be unattainable, it is worth looking into reform in the area of presenting multiple sides of stories and making sure that not only the dominant narrative is shared with the public. However, I am not sure I completely agreed with the strict defining and isolating of the museum upon which Cameron insists. I believe that there needs to be space for creativity and differences within the realm of museums. Having visited temples, I would vouch for their educational properties. A historical temple combined with aspects of a museum can be a great experience in learning what a certain group of people at a certain time valued.

                

The other chapter focused more on privately owned museums. While “The Museum, a Temple or the Forum” puts down the practice of subjectively deciding which items were real and valuable, the chapter by Vallance acknowledges the value of individuals being able to display collections that show more about themselves, such as The Continental Sculpture Hall. It allows a more fluid definition of museums. While still striving for a complete telling of histories, Vallance recognizes and celebrates the things that local museums do well.

                

The City Museum of St. Louis is referred a couple of times in “Local History, ‘Old Things to Look At,’ and a Sculptor’s Vision.” This summer, I visited this museum with several friends. While Cameron would likely argue the title of museum for this facility due to its playful nature as well as its being created primarily from one individual, I found it an incredibly valuable space that stretched my schema of museum in a positive way. Vallance comments positively on the quirkiness of the City Museum. While there is little text found in the museum, it is a testament to an incredible story of a man with a dream and a warehouse and encourages visitors of all ages to never stop playing an exploring, activities that create dynamic, lifelong learners.

                

 (I snapped this photo looking up in the City Museum in St. Louis)

(While exploring in the City Museum, I found myself in the giant teeth of a rock monster in an extended, multi-level indoor cave system!)

Over all, these chapters encouraged me to enter the museums we will experience this semester with a critical perspective. I hope to observe with an open mind, acknowledging strengths with enjoyment and weaknesses graciously.