One good place to start is Warren Leon and Roy Rosenzweig, eds., _History
Museums in the United States: A Critical Assessment_ (U. of Ill. press,
1989).  This collection of case studies can help you narrow your focus
and figure out the sorts of questions you want to ask/answer.
Suggestion: read the diverse case studies and see what common issues and
puzzles keep popping up out of each one -- this might help you reach an
overall thematic approach.

Regards,
D.L.
........................
Doug Lantry
University of Delaware
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On Fri, 22 Sep 1995, Thomas Akana wrote:

> I am a senior American Studies Major at Georgetown University in the
> beginning stages of a thesis.  My topic area is still slightly vague, but
> I hope to examine the American Public's relationship with history
> museums: why do we go to museums, why do we think museums are
> useful/educational/enjoyable (or on the contrary why don't we think
> that), what do we think the underlying purpose of a history museum
> (particularly an American History museum) is?  As I said, I haven't
> narrowed the topic down very much yet, but I was hoping to get some
> feedback from this list.  Can anyone point me towards studies, books,
> articles that might point me in a particular direction?  You can reply to
> the list or directly to me at the email address listed below.
>
> Thanks in advance for any help you can give me.
>
> ******************************************************************************
**
> Thomas Akana
> American Studies Department Intern
> Georgetown University
> (202)687-6193
> FAX:(202)687-7245
> e-mail: [log in to unmask]
>