Museum Do museums over do weapons?

[major bill]

I am working at the Micigan History Museum todat. The next gallery scheduled to be redone is the Civil War gallery. This gallery has a fair amount of swords, pistols, and muskets Although the Museum is for all ages, are primary visitor are school classes of 3rd to 5th grade. Some of the children like the pistols and muskets, but less children seem interested in swords. When they redesign the Civil War gallery, how many weapons should be displayed? Should the staff expand the coverage of slavery and reduce the number of swords and other weapons? This will depend on the state education guidance for 3rd to 5th graders.

 

[Cornpone and Molasses]

Why do you feel there needs to be more expansion in this museum explaining the story of slavery? If there is a need or lack of this in that particular museum then by all means there should be such a display. I believe every good Civil War display must have a good representation of the most prevalent weapons that were used during the war. It helps people understand better how the war was fought and how bloody the conflict really was.

 

[major bill]

The two pistols in post #1 are a couple that might get moved to storage in the redesign. There are three other pistols on display so these two are kind of redundant. The Museum is all about Michigan and, at least to me, these two pistols do not much add to the story of Michigan.

 

[major bill]

Why do you feel there needs to be more expansion in this museum explaining the story of slavery? If there is a need or lack of this in that particular museum then by all means there should be such a display. I believe every good Civil War display must have a good representation of the most prevalent weapons that were used during the war. It helps people understand better how the war was fought and how bloody the conflict really was.

Parts of Michigan were important in the Underground Railroad. The Museum has a bit on slavery but could cover the Underground Railroad a bit deeper. I would need to look at how the state history teaching guidance covers the Civil War and the Underground Railroad. The Museum should attempt to follow the state guidance for children those ages. As far as I have seen, Civil War arms are not a major focus in the state educational guidence for history.

 

[Cornpone and Molasses]

Parts of Michigan were important in the Underground Railroad. The Museum has a bit on slavery but could cover the Underground Railroad a bit deeper. I would need to look at how the state history teaching guidance covers the Civil War and the Underground Railroad. The Museum should attempt to follow the state guidance for children those ages. As far as I have seen, Civil War arms are not a major focus in the state educational guidence for history.

I'm sure every museum struggles with what they can display to tell as much as they can in a well rounded manner. If the Underground Railroad story is important to Michigan then they should definitely cover more if if needed. Do they rotate out displays or are they fairly permanent?

 

[major bill]

The displays are permanent and 30 years old.

 

[debwallsmith]

View attachment 440648
I am working at the Micigan History Museum todat. The next gallery scheduled to be redone is the Civil War gallery. This gallery has a fair amount of swords, pistols, and muskets Although the Museum is for all ages, are primary visitor are school classes of 3rd to 5th grade. Some of the children like the pistols and muskets, but less children seem interested in swords. When they redesign the Civil War gallery, how many weapons should be displayed? Should the staff expand the coverage of slavery and reduce the number of swords and other weapons? This will depend on the state education guidance for 3rd to 5th graders.

As a museum professional I would suggest that the saying, "Less is more" is the best policy. In the past, museums have had a tendency to put EVERYTHING on exhibit especially if the artifacts were donated by locals who expect to see their precious heirlooms on display. I have always opted for items that are "the best example" or have an interesting history or most importantly, complement the story being told. Placing artifacts in storage prolongs their life if stored properly. It also gives the museum a chance to rotate in artifacts so that the pieces in the collection get a rest as well as have condition assessments made.

 

[nc native]

I'd leave the weapons on display since you are targeting a younger audience. Weapons were influential in sparking my interest in military history when I was young and many children are attracted to things that go bang, slash, stab, etc. Seeing what the soldiers used in battle grabbed my attention and later as I matured I wanted to learn more about all of the other aspects of the Civil War period.

 

[archieclement]

The two pistols in post #1 are a couple that might get moved to storage in the redesign. There are three other pistols on display so these two are kind of redundant. The Museum is all about Michigan and, at least to me, these two pistols do not much add to the story of Michigan.

Michigan has a lot of history of slavery to tell?

Perhaps could add a display on Detroit's segregation or its race riots, as its seems to have several, including one during ACW in response to the Emancipation Proclamation.

That's where local and state museums can thrive, demonstrating events didn't just happen in other areas, but at home as well.

 

[Hardtack_Hangover]

Perhaps a hands on display of some sort with reproduction gear where the public could safely interact with actual Civil War equipage. For me it was these sorts of exhibits that did it. Looking at a dozen rifles that all look the same through a glass pane never really did it for me.

 

[Tennessee Union Gal]

Michigan has a lot of history of slavery to tell?

Perhaps could add a display on Detroit's segregation or its race riots, as its seems to have several, including one during ACW in response to the Emancipation Proclamation.

That's where local and state museums can thrive, demonstrating events didn't just happen in other areas, but at home as well.

Yes, Michigan does have a lot of history of slavery to tell. A significant number of free blacks settled in Michigan due to its connection to the Underground Railroad. There was a draft riot in Detroit in 1863, telling about that would certainly be of interest. The fact that one can find horrible bigots everywhere is a good thing for kids to know.

 

[carptrash]

Michigan has a lot of history of slavery to tell?

Sojourner Truth had a solid Michigan connection as well as one to slavery. She is just a big name, there is much more.

Perhaps could add a display on Detroit's segregation or its race riots, as its seems to have several, including one during ACW in response to the Emancipation Proclamation.

When I try and post 20th Century stuff it doesn't make it. Hmmmmm. But the Riot of 1863 should (might already be) be included

That's where local and state museums can thrive, demonstrating events didn't just happen in other areas, but at home as well.

Here is what wikipedia has about the riot. Part of it. :
"The Detroit race riot of 1863 occurred on March 6, 1863, in the city of Detroit, Michigan, during the American Civil War. At the time, the Detroit Free Press reported these events as "the bloodiest day that ever dawned upon Detroit."[1]​ It began due to unrest among the working class related to racism and the military draft,[1]​ which was heightened after the Emancipation Proclamation was issued by President Abraham Lincoln. Based in a free state, some recent immigrants and other workers resented being drafted for a war that they thought was waged for the benefit of slaves in the Southern United States, and they feared competition from Black people."
Funny how folks then thought the War was about slavery but so many today do not.

 

[thomas aagaard]

Perhaps a hands on display of some sort with reproduction gear where the public could safely interact with actual Civil War equipage. For me it was these sorts of exhibits that did it. Looking at a dozen rifles that all look the same through a glass pane never really did it for me.

At the historical center at the Danish Dybbøl battlefield, part of the standard program for school classes include a 30 min coverage of how a Danish and Prussian soldier where equipped. And that is mostly reproduction items that can be send around the room, so the children can feel the wool, try handle a musket and so on.
I also always got a boy and a girl into uniforms. In general because they could commend on the wool and how warm and heavy the uniform is. Specifically one of each gender because it made is logical to make it clear that there where no female soldiers in the Danish army in 1864 and also because 6-7th grade girls are often closer to the historical Hight of 166cm than the boys are.

Giving the tactile senses something to do work very well, in addition to just talking about objects.

 

[archieclement]

Sojourner Truth had a solid Michigan connection as well as one to slavery. She is just a big name, there is much more.

When I try and post 20th Century stuff it doesn't make it. Hmmmmm. But the Riot of 1863 should (might already be) be included

Here is what wikipedia has about the riot. Part of it. :
"The Detroit race riot of 1863 occurred on March 6, 1863, in the city of Detroit, Michigan, during the American Civil War. At the time, the Detroit Free Press reported these events as "the bloodiest day that ever dawned upon Detroit."[1]​ It began due to unrest among the working class related to racism and the military draft,[1]​ which was heightened after the Emancipation Proclamation was issued by President Abraham Lincoln. Based in a free state, some recent immigrants and other workers resented being drafted for a war that they thought was waged for the benefit of slaves in the Southern United States, and they feared competition from Black people."
Funny how folks then thought the War was about slavery but so many today do not.

I agree but if providing a full picture of Michigan in that era and others, 1863 race riots, and the other race riots and Detroit segregation is as vital to provide a full picture of Michigan as the UGR is. To provide one without the other would seem somewhat misleading, or lacking context

 

[carptrash]

I agree but if providing a full picture of Michigan in that era and others, 1863 race riots, and the other race riots and Detroit segregation is as vital to provide a full picture of Michigan as the UGR is. To provide one without the other would seem somewhat misleading, or lacking context

Yes, the bigger the picture the better.

 

[major bill]

Remember there are other galleries so the Civil War gallery only covers Michigan in the Civil War and Michigan's part in the movement towards War. Any riots after the Civil War would better be covered in the World War Two gallery and 1960s gallery. So while the Civil War gallery looks at Michigan Abolitionists it does not really cover the John Brown Raid. There is a map of the Underground Railroad routes in Michigan. The Civil War gallery could also look a bit more at the contribution of Michigan resources to the war effort. The gallery following the Civil War gallery is about mining in Michigan so a bit of Michigan vital war resources would tie one gallery to the next gallery.

While children might enjoy looking at pistols and swords, the weapons on display should either should add to the story of Michigan in the Civil War or have a connection to a Michigan soldier. Most the the swords are connected to Michigan soldiers but some of the pistols are just examples of Civil War pistols. Not all the muskets and rifles have a connection to a Michigan unit or person. Also the new gallery would be dependent on artifacts already on display or in storage. New signage can be made.

Being a Docent gives me zero power over redesigning the Civil War gallery. In the end people much higher up will make the decision over what to include in the new gallery. At some pooint I will get addtional training on the redesigned gallery and a new instruction book about how to cover the redesigned gallery.

 

[GwilymT]

I agree but if providing a full picture of Michigan in that era and others, 1863 race riots, and the other race riots and Detroit segregation is as vital to provide a full picture of Michigan as the UGR is. To provide one without the other would seem somewhat misleading, or lacking context

I agree, one cannot understand the era, in Michigan or anywhere, without coming to terms with slavery and racism.

 

[major bill]

The Civil War gallery does give a fair amount of space to the Crosswhite Case. In 1847 "slave catchers" tried to 'kidnap' the Crosswhites and return them to their owner. The museum has an illustration of the raid to include a description. The problem is the children do not read the description and even most adults do not tie the Crosswhite raid to the enactment of the Fugitive Slave Act. Understanding the details of the Crosswhite Raid is to advance for children that age.

 

[Jim in Wisconsin]

For sure you should have some stuff about General Custer!

 

[major bill]

For sure you should have some stuff about General Custer!

A large photo and two of his flags. Custer was a major hero in Michigan 30 years ago when the Museum was built.