I'd like to hear about this too, so please post replies to the list!

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Harry Needham [SMTP:[log in to unmask]]
> Sent: Saturday, 31 October 1998 01:15
> To:   [log in to unmask]
> Subject:      "antique road shows"
>
> I'd like to hear from colleagues who have tried their own versions of
> antique road shows. We recently experimented with this idea and found
> it as
> educational an experience for the staff as for our visitors!
>
> Our museum is small and cramped and the only decent open space we have
> is
> outside on our courtyard. Unfortunately it is used non-stop for
> programming
> all summer. In September, we rented two large, linked tents to create
> a
> giant marquee, with temporary lighting and electical and LAN
> connections,
> with tables around the perimeter where staff met with visitors. We had
> between 400 and 500 visitors during the day, despite the rain, very
> little
> publicity and our having no parking for visitors. Quite a few of the
> visitors simply wanted to see what was happening and what other people
> were
> bringing in; a few knew exactly what they had, but wanted to know if
> WE
> knew. Most had only a vague idea of what they had and were delighted
> to
> learn more. We did get some donations out of the show but, much more
> important, we helped quite a number of people appreciate just what
> they
> owned and to learn how to better take care of these artifacts. After
> the
> visitors had gone, we had a staff barbeque and dance, so it turned
> into a
> very pleasant and satisfying day for our staff. We'll do it again.
>
>
> What did we learn?
>
> 1. If you want people to bring in anything even moderately heavy,
> you'd
> better have nearby parking available; people won't carry very much,
> very
> far.
>
> 2. You need LOTS of chairs for people waiting for the "experts" to
> examine
> their treasures - and it's a good idea to have a supply of tea and
> coffee
> for them, while they're waiting.
>
> 3. Good lighting and a plentiful supply of magnifiers is essential; it
> is
> embarrassing to have to duck outside the tent to have a squint at the
> engaving on something - especially in the rain! Considering that
> virtually
> every examining table will need such equipment, a really good power
> supply
> is an essential. I have since acquired a large desk magnifier,
> incorporating
> a fluorescent light; I only hope I will have some place to plug it in,
> next
> show!
>
> 4. You will quickly find out where you need more reference material. I
> was
> examining orders, medals and decorations and had brought a box of
> reference
> books. I was still stumped when a visitor brought in a number of First
> World
> War Austro-Hungarian medals and I also had trouble telling another
> exactly
> which class of the Japanese Order of the Rising Sun he was showing me.
> I am
> ordering a series of additional reference books to be ready for next
> time!
>
> 5. Don't rely on high-tech. Our expensive new LAN connection
> functioned for
> about half an hour before packing it in which is when we discovered
> that our
> systems people had no one standing by to help.
>
> 6. Be prepared for LOTS of people and have a plan for handling them. I
> shudder to think how many visitors we would have had, had we been
> better
> advertised, had a parking lot and had the day been sunny!
>
> 7. This kind of fixture needs LOTS of advertising. We had many calls
> from
> people who heard about it AFTER the event. Indeed, one gentleman was
> over at
> my home last evening with a large German naval flag on which he wanted
> an
> opinion.
>
> I would be interested in learning of YOUR experiences in conducting
> this
> kind of project.
>
> Harry
>
> Harry Needham
> Special Advisor - Programme Development
> Canadian War Museum
> 330 Sussex Drive,
> Ottawa, Canada
> K1A 0M8
> Voice: (819) 776-8612  Fax (819) 776-8623
> Email: [log in to unmask]