In response to Amy's question...

It depends on the type of museum and the audience that visits it.  I think
the "people and events" information of any time period is adequately covered
in schools, but the strength of museums is that they exhibit objects.  The
exhibit should then display objects and in the text should connect the
objects to the people-and-events AND the ideology in a way that is
appropriate to the type of museum and the context of the viewer's experience.

For example--a portrait of George Washington will show you what he looked
like (people-and-events), but when was it done?  Before or after a certain
key event?  What does this portrait show us about Washington's goals
(ideology)?  What does his clothing tell us about what he wants to convey
about his social status at the time?  Etc.

Hope this helps you.

Julia Moore
Indianapolis Art Center