Dear Geoffrey,
your approach of the definition of museums is very interesting and clear 
and an excellent base for discussion.
I was going to suggest, reading Gary's definition, that if we want to 
define the museum with one of its missions,
for instance education, we miss other types of missions and we place the 
museum as one of the educational
institutions without stressing enough its essence, missions and role.
Jacques Perot

At 12:07 08/10/03 +0100, Geoffrey Lewis a écrit:
>The work of the Ethics Committee and, I guess,  in defining membership
>eligibility in ICOM is far more about the activities constituting a museum
>rather than a building, institution or organisation that may or may not be a
>museum. I think therefore we have to be more radical in our approach
>todefining the term "museum".  To use the term as an adjective, however,
>would be etymologically incorrect. There is, however, good precedent in both
>English and French for its use in the context of a collection - the reason
>for these activities.
>
>I suggest the following definition, therefore, to develop argument on this
>basis:
>
>Museum: A knowledge base of the tangible and intangible evidence of the
>cultural and natural inheritance of humanity.  Such a collection, normally
>in the form of objects or specimens, preserves, promotes and presents this
>heritage for the benefit of society and its development on a non-profit,
>permanent basis. A museum is also a place, real or virtual, to which the
>public have access to benefit from such activities.
>
>Geoffrey Lewis
>
>
>----- Original Message -----
>From: "Gary Edson" <[log in to unmask]>
>To: <[log in to unmask]>
>Sent: Tuesday, October 07, 2003 3:50 PM
>Subject: Definition of a Museum
>
>
> > 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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> >
> >
>
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