As someone who studies and loves post WWII American history, I must say that I enjoy seeing exhibits that tackle more modern history although I understand the issues involved with people still being alive who lived through it. I'd suggest incorporating the thoughts and words of people who experienced the events first hand from your community, whether it be through audio, video or quotes and pictures on text panels. Oral history can be very valuable and interesting when used in exhibits. Not only will it be a good addition to the exhibit at hand now, it will help add to your instiution's historical record for future generations. Also another idea is to give visitors a place to write down their thoughts and experiences if they were alive during the time period. 

Susan Kline
History M.A. student
University of Cincinnati

---- Original message ----
>Date: Wed, 27 Sep 2006 08:07:12 -0500
>From: Cindy Gardner <[log in to unmask]>  
>Subject: [MUSEUM-L] For history museums  
>To: [log in to unmask]
>
>For the history museum folks out there--
>We are currently designing exhibits for our new state history museum.  
>Our plan has always been to go through modern day with the exhibits.
>Now, that we are trying to develop these exhibits (and have the varying 
>opinions of all involved of how they should be interpreted), I thought I 
>would see what others have done.
>If you go through modern day, how do you handle the topics that many 
>people feel so strongly about because they "lived through it" without 
>supporting one side over the other?
>Thanks in advance for any suggestions.
>Cindy
> 
>
>-- 
>Cindy Gardner, Field Services Curator
>Museum of Mississippi History
>Mississippi Department of Archives and History
>P.O. Box 571
>Jackson, MS 39205-0571
>Telephone: 601/576-6901
>Facsimile: 601/576-6981
>Email: [log in to unmask]
>
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