I must respond with a resounding "me too." I spent many an hour roaming those
halls at the Milwaukee Public Museum as a child. Wandering through the
streets of Old Milwaukee and the houses of the European Village. Yes even
running over to the "secret" button at the buffalo hunt diorama. ( I still
remember the first time I discovered that. Another child passed the "secret"
on to me.)

The others I am reminded of are the journey under the sea ( I must admit, I
forget the actual name of the exhibit) and the large squid skeleton that was
once suspended from the ceiling at MPM. ( I don't even know if these are
still there or not. It has been quite awhile since I was there. That squid
astounded me though.)

No matter how often I went, the exhibitions there filled me with wonder and
excitement. It is, I am sure, no accident that I am now in this profession in
part because of those experiences. (That and the other history and art
museums I spent the balance of my childhood in.) I am truly grateful for all
of the experiences, and am now as grateful to be in the museum field (and
working in history).

I suppose it is true that museums are like "old friends" at points. Perhaps
Wendy is right in the feeling of "you can go home again." Somehow there is a
feeling of security in knowing the memories one holds dear can still be
captured by returning to a specific place. That is a profound concept.

Indeed museums are a source of continued inspiration and education. They can
challenge, motivate, anger, promote, and even provide levity to the discourse
of the human experience. They analyze, provide insight, contradict oft held
views, and herald new ideas about the world we live and work in. For this too
I am grateful.

Well, enough. I should step down from the soap box. Thank you all for this
wonderful thread, and a moment to reflect.

Dan Schoeneberg
Curator of Exhibits
Montgomery County Historical Society

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