---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Thu, 4 Apr 1996 11:14:58 -0500 (EST)
From: Matthew L Kocsis <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Outside the Museum


As part of a research project for a graduate seminar, I have been looking
at how non-professional, non-historical institutions display and
interpret material culture and American history.  While there is a wealth of
commentary on places such as Disney, often overlooked in the literature are
the small, private collector and institutions such as businesses and
universities that have art or artifact collections which are not overseen
by an academically trained curator or conservator.  I am hoping for some
responses concerning issues such as: 1)What can museum professionals do
to influence the care and exhibition of such collections, and is it
reasonable to expect professional involvement? 2) Can private individuals
and institutions consistently be appropriate stewards for material culture
and its interpretation? 3) What are the effects of such collections and
displays on museums and their collections and relations with the public?
        Of course, I welcome any comments, references, or ancedotes that
may assist me. As always, I rely on your discretion to determine
whether your response should be on or off-list.

                                 Matthew Kocsis
                                 703 Second St 4-A
                                 Bowling Green OH 43402
                                 (419)354-3029
                                 [log in to unmask]