Thanks to everyone for their reply and good comments concerning
Living History and the use (or not to use) artifacts in their programs.
John

-----Original Message-----
From:   Tanya Washburn [SMTP:[log in to unmask]]
Sent:   Thursday, January 21, 1999 12:52 PM
To:     [log in to unmask]
Subject:        Re: Introduction and Inquiry

My understanding was that museums were to educate. The living history
museums do so by showing not only what the artifacts look like, but also
how they are used. Unfortunately, in use, things can be damaged, or may be
too fragile to work. It is one thing to show a ninteenth century cradle
scythe, it is quite another to use it harvest a field of oats. The museums
utilize replicas so that the original will not be damaged, and may also
build them for the museum audiences to see how it was done. I believe both
Plymoth Plantation and Old Sturbridge Village (Living History Museums here
in Massachusetts) have resident shoemakers, for example, that teach
workshops (and I assume) make shoes for the reenactors, because wearing
the actual artifacts is out of the question.

Did this make sense and clear up your concerns?

Tanya Washburn

In article <[log in to unmask]>, Peter
Rebernik <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

> I always thought that the reason for museums to exist, is to show the
> originals! And NOT replicas!
> Maybe we should call those replica museums: THE FAKE MUSEUM, to get it cl=
> ear
> to the public.
> The originals belong to the public and not to the museum director! It is
> his/her duty to protect the original, but to show it, for God's sake!
>
> I am not amused!
>
> Peter Rebernik
>
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> -----Urspr=FCngliche Nachricht-----
> Von: Full Name <[log in to unmask]>
> Newsgroups: bit.listserv.museum-l
> An: [log in to unmask] <[log in to unmask]>
> Datum: Mittwoch, 20. Januar 1999 04:56
> Betreff: Re: Introduction and Inquiry
>
>
> >Yes, John, a lot of open air and living history museums do active
> historical
> >processes using replicas, reproductions and some designated orginal
> materials
> >which are not "museum quality" and not "accessioned" into the study and
> >exhibit collections. There is a new committee of ALHFAM (Association for
> >Living History, Farms and Museums) which is interested in curatorial
> concerns.
> >There is also a published replica resource guide. Check the web page for
> >ALHFAM for more information.  www.alhfam.org
> >
> >There is also a listing of articles in the Proceedings from the annual
> ALHFAM
> >conference. Some of the articles address your questions.
> >
> >Most museums of this type budget each year for cyclical replacement of
> >replicas and construction or acquisition of new materials. It all depend=
> s
> on
> >the level of use, design of the program, commitment to active presentati=
> ons
> >and feasible budget.
> >
> >Katie Boardman
> >