Further to Rosemary Silvester's definition, which I thought was basically
pretty good, I have received the following comment from Dr. Dan Gallacher,
Director of History at the Canadian Museum of Civilization. I think Dan's
points are good ones.

Harry Needham
Special Advisor - Programme Development
Canadian War Museum
330 Sussex Drive,
Ottawa, Canada
K1A 0M8
Voice: (819) 776-8612  Fax (819) 776-8623
Email: [log in to unmask]

> ----------
> From:         Daniel Gallacher
> Sent:         Tuesday, November 03, 1998 9:50 AM
> To:   Harry Needham
> Cc:   Daniel Gallacher; Stephen Inglis
> Subject:      RE: Definition of a Museum
>
> Hi Harry,
>
>       Thanks for part one which is clear and sensible. Too bad they had to
> go and define what they thought about each function; I don't see research
> named at all. The word interpretation is definitely a key element of
> serious research activity, but the trend in modern museums has been to
> isolate that particular work and hire specialists (notably educators) to
> perform it. Similarly, "associated information" really is too vague a
> concept to stand as a substitute for, say, research findings. Hence, the
> definitions in the Note are incomplete. Otherwise, it is a most servicable
> item!
>
> Dan Gallacher
>
Rosemary Silvester's original message:


> The list often seems interested in these definitions so here is the
> definition of a museum agreed at the 1998 Annual General Meeing of the
> Museums Association (UK):
>
> Museums enable people to explore collections for inspiration, learning
> and enjoyment. They are institutions that collect, safeguard and make
> accessible artefacts and specimens, which they hold in trust for
> society.
>
> Note
>
> A collection is an organised assemblage of selected material evidence of
> human activity or the natural environment, accompanied by associated
> information. As well as objects, scientific specimens or works of art
> held within a museum building, a collection may include buildings or
> sites.
>
> Safeguarding includes undertaking conservation, security and collections
> management.
>
> Making accessible includes undertaking interpretation, education,
> exhibition, outreach, documentation, research and publication, within or
> outside the museum's own buildings.
>
> The definition can also be used in the singular: A museum enables people
> to explore collections for inspiration, learning and enjoyment. It is an
> institution that collects, safeguards and makes accessible artefacts and
> specimens, which it holds in trust for society.
>
>
>
>
>
>