P.T. Barnum's FeeJee Mermaid would be perfect for both an historical as
well as current example.  As far as I understand it's still on view in the
Barnum Museum in CT.

Karen Stahr Kim
Arts Administration
Teachers College/Columbia University

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> From: Timothy K Winkle <[log in to unmask]>
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Hoaxes and museums
> Date: Saturday, February 21, 1998 12:16 PM
>
> I am a graduate student in the Department of Popular Culture at Bowling
> Green State University.  I am currently working on a project involving
> museum hoaxes (intentional or unrecognized) and the continued display of
> hoax objects in museums.  I am interested in input from any and everyone
> on this topic, secifically:
>
> 1. Historical or current hoaxes in which museums have played a
significant
> tole in their perpetration or dissemination.  For example, the Piltdown
> Man hoax (possibly) perpetrated by curators of the British Museum.
>
> 2. Hoax objects that are displayed today as museum pieces.  For example,
> the Cardiff Giant at the Farmer's Museum in Cooperstown.
>
> Particularly welcome would be any comments or information from museum
> workers at such sites.  I would very much like to know how such objects
> are labeled and interpretted, and how their status as frauds are
> incorporated into the museum's overall purpose.
>
> I thank you in advance, TIM
>
> TImothy K. Winkle
> Department of Popular Culture
> Bowling Green State University
> [log in to unmask]