Museum Do museums over do weapons?

[major bill]

I hope I don't regret asking this. When planning the redesign should the Museum staff ask for imput for any outside groups? The Museum should meet with educators and see how they can better contribute to the 'proper' and appropriate history education experience of Michigan school children. Should prominent Michigan Civil War and Underground Railroad authors contribute? Some authors could have agendas. Should Museum staff meet with the Michigan based SUVCW to insure their Civil War ancestor's views are properly represented? Are there any groups who should contribute to the Underground Railroad in Michigan or the slavery issue? Some of these groups could also have an agenda.

 

[major bill]

1. More story with basic weapons displayed . Don't display multiples of the same kind .
2.Yes
3.No. "The Civil War , Slavery and the Underground Railroad" in that order.
4. If the children love it I'd say leave it . It might make an impression on them . Add a new one if you have the funds but still make it interesting for the children .

The diorama is over 30 years old and starting to fall apart. Some soldiers have toppled over. One of the Confederate flag has faded to almost white ant it looks like the Confederates are surrendering.I am not sure it can be reconditioned.

 

[PrivateBrooke]

I'd say have 5 muskets. An 1842 smoothbore, and a converted from flint lock one with an unaltered flintlock next to it. A plaque explaining, briefly the fact that the percussion muskets were the most common issued in the first months of the war and the flint is there as a reference for comparison to show the alteration, and that those were also issued as a last resort. Then a Springfield and Enfield, and a plaque explaining the difference and that those were the two most common weapons by 1863. (Or something like that, that's just an idea.) Any more than that I'd say you'll start to lose attention.

A couple of pistols and a saber "This is what officers carried." A carbine or two and saber, "This is what cavalry carried." Something like that is my suggestion, and then move on from weapons to something else.

 

[major bill]

I'd say have 5 muskets. An 1842 smoothbore, and a converted from flint lock one with an unaltered flintlock next to it. A plaque explaining, briefly the fact that the percussion muskets were the most common issued in the first months of the war and the flint is there as a reference for comparison to show the alteration, and that those were also issued as a last resort. Then a Springfield and Enfield, and a plaque explaining the difference and that those were the two most common weapons by 1863. (Or something like that, that's just an idea.) Any more than that I'd say you'll start to lose attention.

A couple of pistols and a saber "This is what officers carried." A carbine or two and saber, "This is what cavalry carried." Something like that is my suggestion, and then move on from weapons to something else.

The Museum has a Austrian Lorenz musket on display. Because so many Michigan regiments received Austrian Lorenz early in the War, this musket might be a good display item.

 

[major bill]

It seems that some forum members do not like story boards in the Civil War gallery because the gallery should concentrate on artifacts. Would not a diorama fall in to the same category?

 

[Old Soldier]

Education-wise, the 'feely-touchy' approach is often ignored. It is what elementary school kids do and how they learn. So, with that in mind, wouldn't a reenactment group - infantry, cavalry and artillery brought in for these visits - be more educational than storyboards and static exhibits? Give them a 'Civil War field meal' too! Make it an experience they won't forget so easily.

 

[GwilymT]

I hope I don't regret asking this. When planning the redesign should the Museum staff ask for imput for any outside groups? The Museum should meet with educators and see how they can better contribute to the 'proper' and appropriate history education experience of Michigan school children. Should prominent Michigan Civil War and Underground Railroad authors contribute? Some authors could have agendas. Should Museum staff meet with the Michigan based SUVCW to insure their Civil War ancestor's views are properly represented? Are there any groups who should contribute to the Underground Railroad in Michigan or the slavery issue? Some of these groups could also have an agenda.

My gut says stay with educators. I think you are correct that other outside groups may have an agenda that isn't geared toward teaching the kids.

 

[121st PA Vols]

The best museum I've ever seen is the National Museum of the Marine Corps in Triangle, VA near Quantico. I didn't read every thread on the board and hope I'm not repeating here.
What do I know about setting up a museum? But your senses tell you when they get it right. Keeping it brief, when it moves you, inspires and educates, I think they hit the mark.

 

[archieclement]

I hope I don't regret asking this. When planning the redesign should the Museum staff ask for imput for any outside groups? The Museum should meet with educators and see how they can better contribute to the 'proper' and appropriate history education experience of Michigan school children. Should prominent Michigan Civil War and Underground Railroad authors contribute? Some authors could have agendas. Should Museum staff meet with the Michigan based SUVCW to insure their Civil War ancestor's views are properly represented? Are there any groups who should contribute to the Underground Railroad in Michigan or the slavery issue? Some of these groups could also have an agenda.

Any special interest group has an agenda to advance their special interest........including educators

And the more minority the special interest the less they actually represent the general public.......again for example roughly 80% of Michigan's public is over the age of 18, so specifically targeting schoolchildren ignores the bulk of the potential audience.

 

[redbob]

How can you possibly overdo weapons?

 

[major bill]

Any special interest group has an agenda to advance their special interest........including educators

And the more minority the special interest the less they actually represent the general public.......again for example roughly 80% of Michigan's public is over the age of 18, so specifically targeting schoolchildren ignores the bulk of the potential audience.

At one time the Michigan Historical Museum was funded under the State Department of Education and reported to the Legislature committee that ran the State Education Division. The Department of Education at the time was well funded and made the Museum in to a facility that ficused on education.

The Museum was move to the Department of Parks and Recreation and funding was cut. The Department of Parks and Recreation was less focused on education. Now the Museum is under the Department of Natural Resources. So far the Department of Natural Recources has not changed the Museum very much. The Department of Natural Resources has increased funding. I am not sure the long term goals the Department of Natural Resources has for the Museum. So perhaps educating school groups will come in to play.

Ay the current time probably 80% of the visitors are school groups, with large weekend events for families making up most of the remaining visitors. I am guessing adults attending without children might be in the area of 1 to 2%.

 

[debwallsmith]

So kind of back to my original question. The Michigan Historical Museum will be redesigning The "Civil War" Gallery. What should be done to update it?
1. Less weapons more story?
2. Because most of out visitors are grade school children, add some hands on activities?
3. Because it covers the Underground Railway as well as Abolitionists in Michigan, change the large title painted over the entry to something like "The Underground Railroad, Slavery, and the Civil War'?
4. The children love the old diorama but the docents and staff hate it. So add a nice new diorama?

Are we talking all new exhibits or refurbishing the old ones? That makes a huge difference.
1. More story, fewer weapons and only weapons that are relevant to the story.
2. Hands on activities regardless of whether there are new exhibits. Engaging the visitor/enhancing the visitor experience is one of the best ways to ensure repeat visitors.
3. Civil War, Slavery and the Underground Railroad
4. Dioramas are so 20th century and they take up a lot of space. There are so many more modern ways of doing this.

I will also point out that Co K of the 1st Michigan Sharpshooters provides a great opportunity for the museum to collaborate with First Peoples.

 

[debwallsmith]

It should matter if one was actually the first nation, or if one found the concept of first nations historically important.

That it doesn't matter as your question implies , would indeed go to how silly it is to present them as the "first nations". Especially since archaeology evidence doesn't support historical era tribes having ever been first nations, despite verbal lore or mythology.

Should the "lost cause" be presented as mainstream based on it simply has a verbal lore and some number of adherents, probably as many remain as the 1.7% of Americans who are native americans, not all of whom still subscribe to tribal lore and mythology today?

I think you don't understand the meaning of the terms "First Nations" or "First Peoples". And you dismissal of the terms as mythology is insulting.

 

[archieclement]

I think you don't understand the meaning of the terms "First Nations" or "First Peoples". And you dismissal of the terms as mythology is insulting.

That mythology is mythology isnt insulting at all. Nor that some may choose to cling to myths, change that they are myths.

Myth-a traditional story, especially one concerning the early history of a people or explaining some natural or social phenomenon, and typically involving supernatural beings or events.

 

[archieclement]

At one time the Michigan Historical Museum was funded under the State Department of Education and reported to the Legislature committee that ran the State Education Division. The Department of Education at the time was well funded and made the Museum in to a facility that ficused on education.

The Museum was move to the Department of Parks and Recreation and funding was cut. The Department of Parks and Recreation was less focused on education. Now the Museum is under the Department of Natural Resources. So far the Department of Natural Recources has not changed the Museum very much. The Department of Natural Resources has increased funding. I am not sure the long term goals the Department of Natural Resources has for the Museum. So perhaps educating school groups will come in to play.

Ay the current time probably 80% of the visitors are school groups, with large weekend events for families making up most of the remaining visitors. I am guessing adults attending without children might be in the area of 1 to 2%.

I agree many museums have painted themselves in a corner by ignoring the majority of the potential audience.

For example if a museum has focused on elementary children and special interests they aren't offering a lot to the majority of the potential audience.

Looking at Michigan demographics, it shows by far the largest potential audience is actually adult non Hispanic whites.

When museums have reduced the story to elementary kids, the remaining reason for adults to go was to see rare artifacts, which also increasingly seem removed for basic elementary story boards. It's not surprising adult visitation decreases. As the presentations aren't directed towards them.

 

[debwallsmith]

That mythology is mythology isnt insulting at all. Nor that some may choose to cling to myths, change that they are myths.

Myth-a traditional story, especially one concerning the early history of a people or explaining some natural or social phenomenon, and typically involving supernatural beings or events.

Thank you explaining mythology to an anthropologist. It was insulting to First Nations/People in the context in which you used it.

 

[archieclement]

Thank you explaining mythology to an anthropologist. It was insulting to First Nations/People in the context in which you used it.

Not at all as I'm 1/4 Cherokee and didn't find it offensive at all, nor do I cling to tribal myths. I find them entertaining, just I do Hercules, Apollo, or Odin. Why I pointed out earlier hardly all people of native american ancestry today still believe tribal mythology.

I even wear a buffalo bone pendant with tribal turtle carved on it......however because it looks cool, not that I subscribe to turtle island myths or that it grants any longevity.

 

[thomas aagaard]

How can you possibly overdo weapons?

The old exhibition at the Tøjhusmuseet (now the warmuseum) in Copenhagen.
Sure it had 5 different models of every firearm ever used by the Danish military... And prototypes, subtypes, and so on...
But for 99% of the Danish population (including me) it was boring as h....
The new one with way fewer items and a lot more none firearms items is way way better... an also now have room for other things, like examples from the huge uniforms collection from Imperial Russia... and the US items from the 1858 "danish exchange".

And on the groundfloor removing some of the artillery displayed they got room for the fantastic "the distant war"
A exhibition on the Danish involvement in the war in Afghanistan. Where you can touch most things.

 

[Kurt G]

The diorama is over 30 years old and starting to fall apart. Some soldiers have toppled over. One of the Confederate flag has faded to almost white ant it looks like the Confederates are surrendering.I am not sure it can be reconditioned.

Are the soldiers plastic or metal ? I assume a staff member would have to do the reconditioning . I hope it is kept in some form if the kids like it . Something as simple as that can lead to an interest in history .

 

[major bill]

Are the soldiers plastic or metal ?

A couple of hundred soft plastic soldiers in 1/32 scale and depicts Petersburg. The kid do love it, but it is seen as a distraction from learning about Michigan in the Civil War. Many children spend most of their time in the Civil War gallery looking at the diorama.