Why does "straining after definitions" annoy you? I don't really
>     have much to add to the discussions, but I am kind of interested
>     in what people say. Is there something more important that is
>     being pre-empted by this discussion? And remember, there's always
>     the delete button.
>
>     Eric Siegel
>     [log in to unmask]
>

Eric, I appreciate your response to my message asking for some help in
"small museum identity crisis".  I think the opportunity to discuss these
issues with people interested in similar issues is a real gift.   I was a
bit frustrated because I thought I had hit the goldmine - someone with the
same concerns as myself was out there and it looked like a great discussion
might get going in which I could learn a lot from my peers.  Since my last
message I have had some very helpful responses and would appreciate hearing
from you as well.  My current contract is with a small Centre in northern
Alberta.  They developed out of a volunteer initiative about 20 years ago.
Their mandate emphasized heritage, and they have a museum component
including displays and programming.  The founders however put an equally
strong focus on "presentistic" activity, emphasizing their role in creating
citizenship skills and pride in the community.  In that way they provided
the support for a variety of special interest groups involved in
"traditional" crafts such as quilting, as well as performing arts groups
addressing current issues.  Their success however has led to considerable
confusion for the staff, volunteers, and community  in that many of the
initiatives they developed have spun off and are now competitors of sorts,
but more importantly, the community is beginning to feel that the the Centre
is simply no longer doing its "job".  The community has doubled in size and
those who have an immediate tie to the settlers of the area are dwindling in
number.  Their main concern is how to maintain a heritage focus that is
relevant to the community, and not just tourists, and also continue to be
relevant to the community's needs at large without completely fragmenting
and losing focus altogether.  Hope to hear from you soon.   - Lori
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