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Subject:
Re: Definition of a Museum
From:
Sandy Lorimer <[log in to unmask]>
Reply To:
International Council of Museums Discussion List <[log in to unmask]>
Date:
Tue, 7 Oct 2003 12:36:22 -0400
Content-Type:
text/plain
Parts/Attachments:
text/plain (65 lines) 
Milton,

I understand why Gary has used the phrase 'usually objects' because there
are institutions that are museums but may not have objects - science
centres, historical houses (if empty, the house is the object, I suppose).

The key question, then, is whether an institution is a museum if it does not
have collections.  I accept Gary's effort here to find the compromise on
this question and appreciate the subtlety of the distinction.

Sandy Lorimer
----- Original Message -----
From: "Milton Bloch" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Tuesday, October 07, 2003 11:24 AM
Subject: Re: Definition of a Museum


Gary,
I like the gerneral approach for its directness and simplicity but
"...and often objects..."???
Isn't this a bit like saying that a vegetable market it a nutritional outlet
that has stalls, awnings and often vegetables.    Museums without objects
are clearly the exception and their status is still a matter to be resolved.
It seems to me that collections of objects are at the very heart of what
makes museum education unique and therefore they deserve a far stonger
position in the definition.
Milton
(Milton Bloch)





>>> [log in to unmask] 10/07/03 10:50AM >>>
Colleagues:

The following is one of the definition that has been suggested. What are
your thoughts  about this idea. Does it adequately describe a "museum," or
is it too broad, too limiting, too inclusive, or too exclusive?


A MUSEUM IS AN EDUCATIONAL ORGANIZATION THAT SERVES THE PUBLIC BY
INTERPRETING SCIENTIFIC, CULTURAL AND/OR NATURAL HERITAGE THROUGH
THE USE OF A PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT AND OFTEN OBJECTS. MUSEUMS THAT
HOLD COLLECTIONS CARE FOR THEM AS A PUBLIC TRUST AND PRESERVE THEM
FOR THE FUTURE.

Gary Edson

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