I would be interested in the experience of any museums that have used bits of
vandalized statues to make a point in exhibits, and whether or not the visitors
got the point the museum was trying to make.

As part of our introduction to the Second World War, we have an area depicting
the colourful face of Nazi Germany, contrasted with (we hope) the grim reality
behind the face. The main feature of the display is a Grosser Mercedes
limousine, well documented as having been used by Hitler, parked in a street of
a typically south German town. On a wall near the vehicle is a colourful map
showing the flames of war spreading over Europe and a text panel telling of the
rise of the regime and the coming of war. Next to it is a Colville sketch of
bodies in a concentration camp. Around the walls are cases intended to further
the contrast - an SS officer (not of the Waffen variety!) standing in front of
a cell door; a truncheon used by a kapo in front of the hood used in the
execution of the "Beast of Belsen", etc.

One of the cases contains a large head of Hitler, broken off a larger than life
size statue that was destroyed at the end of the war, which is displayed
against a background photo of a pit of bodies in one of the camps.

From time to time, we get letters protesting our "glorification" of the Nazi
regime and the example that is always cited is the head of Hitler - despite our
efforts to put it in context.

Has anyone else had a similar experience? If so, how did you handle the
problem?

Harry Needham
Canadian War Museum