You got it VLS!  I think you're take on the issue (real vs Memorex) was
brillant . . . if you don't mind folks asking for help, more the better!
Museum-L folks . . . go to Staunton!  Lee :)



Lee Langston-Harrison
Director of Curatorial Operations
Montpelier, Home of James & Dolley Madison
Montpelier Station, VA 22957
(540) 672-0007
[log in to unmask]

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> From: Vivian Lea Stevens <[log in to unmask]>
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: Museum Purpose (was Introduction and Inquiry)
> Date: Thursday, January 21, 1999 6:48 PM
>
> Thanks, Lee!  As the Curator who moved the institution away from using
> mostly originals with some repros to mostly repos with some originals, I
> appreciate the vote of confidence.  It was a difficult task to convince
> staff and board why it was necessary, but with careful and persistent
> education, they began to embrace the shift in philosophy.  Then came the
> task of writing an effective collection policy that addressed the use of
> reproductions.  It is difficult work to ferret out good reproductions,
> but it can be done.
>
> Thanks again for the vote of confidence!
> VivianLea Stevens
> former Curator of Collections and Exhibitions,
> Museum of American Frontier Culture,
> Staunton, VA
>
> Lee Langston-Harrison wrote:
> >
> > Well stated Lisa!  A good example of a facility that has tackled this
issue
> > is the American Frontier Culture Museum in Staunton, Virginia . . . if
> > possible, go have a look at how they are dealing with the "real vs
> > reproduction" issue.
> >
> > Lee Langston-Harrison
> > Dir. of Curatorial Ops
> > Montpelier, Home of James & Dolley Madison
> > Montpelier Station, VA
> >
> > ----------
> > From: Lisa Craig Brisson (Lisa Brisson) <[log in to unmask]>
> > To: [log in to unmask]
> > Subject: Re: Museum Purpose (was Introduction and Inquiry)
> > Date: Thursday, January 21, 1999 8:57 AM
> >
> > I think the issue of using originals and reproductions in a living
history
> > setting is more complicated and is one that almost every historic site
> > deals with.  It begins with the use of historic buildings, which are
> > themselves usually part of a museum's collection, and leads to a can of
> > worms with artifacts as well.
> >
> > This seems especially true for historic sites with living history
programs.
> >  Most living history sites I know struggle to find a balance between
> > showing "the real things" and showing a way of life or a process.
> > Collecting and preserving PROCESS is a big part of some museum's
collecting
> > mission.  In order to demonstrate (preserve) processes, you have to USE
> > stuff.  When you use something, it tends to deteriorate.  Unlike some
other
> > types of museums, where all artifacts are in carefully protected and
> > regulated environments, artifacts (or reproductions) at living history
> > sites are out in the open and at risk for all kinds of dangers.
> >
> > It would be pretty irresponsible of me (and MANY people would not be
> > amused) if I let the interpretive staff at the Biddle House conduct
cooking
> > demonstrations with an original wooden bowl that belonged to Agatha
Biddle.
> >  They are great interpreters, and great cooks, but they tend to be a
little
> > hard on things.  To have them use the bowl just because it's the "real
> > thing" would completely contradict the part of our mission that charges
us
> > to "preserve."  Instead, we buy reproduction items for the staff to
cook
> > with.  They can be used for their original purpose, and are easily
replaced
> > if destroyed.
> >
> > One way that we and many other sites give visitors the opportunity to
see
> > "the real thing," while still allowing for good living history
programs, is
> > to have original artifacts exhibited in separate spaces.  Often these
> > exhibits are in visitor centers or other buildings on site.  It allows
us
> > to both protect the things we are charged with preserving and give
visitors
> > access to original artifacts.  That's where I think the Biddle bowl
> > belongs.
> >
> > For more information about how living history sites think about
artifacts,
> > take a look at the article "The Challenges of Collections Care in
Living
> > History Museums" written by Bob Cottrell in the Summer 1995 issue of
> > History News.
> >
> > I've worked at several living history sites and heard the question "Is
that
> > real?" thousands of times.  I've found that while many visitors expect
to
> > see original artifacts, many other visitors mainly want to see "how it
> > was."  When I explain that we are using reproduction to show a process
that
> > would destroy an original artifact, most visitors understand and are
happy
> > to know how we operate.  This is just my opinion (it would be a neat
study
> > though) but I think it is shared by many others working at living
history
> > sites.
> >
> > One thing that Museum-L helps me to understand is how truly diverse the
> > museum community is.  We share many of the same struggles, but all have
our
> > own challenges and rewards as well.
> >
> > Lisa Craig Brisson
> > Museum Educator
> > Mackinac State Historic Parks
> > [log in to unmask]
> > ----------