I agree, but in consideration of the supposed reputation of museum folks for
restraint, I decline the exclamation marks. I was always told that one of
the main reasons people go to museums  is to "see the real thing". (And to
try to figure out how much it's worth.)


At 09:08 AM 20/01/99 +0100, you 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 clear
>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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>This mail is a natural product.  The slight variations in spelling and
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>-----Ursprüngliche 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 depends
>on
>>the level of use, design of the program, commitment to active presentations
>>and feasible budget.
>>
>>Katie Boardman
>>
>
>
Jane Sproull Thomson