Robert Tabak asked for ammunition to justify the continued existence of
museum programs at the Balch Institute.

Something that one of the respondents said recently has led me to think that
without its "museum" programs, an institution that holds collections becomes
just another club for scholars.

The Virginia Historical Society, before its big expansion program, was just
such a place.  I believe that the Massachusetts Historical Society still is.

If you don't open up, and invite the general public in, through exhibitions,
educational programs, and public programming, then these folks won't feel
welcome, and they certainly won't support you if you get into financial
trouble.

The costs of NOT doing the museum programs just might be the survival of the
institution itself.

Claudia Nicholson
Curator
Museum Collections Department
Minnesota Historical Society
345 Kellogg Blvd. W.
St. Paul, MN  55102-1906
  e-mail:  [log in to unmask]
  Phone:  651-297-7442
  FAX:  651-297-2967

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