In general, county museums should not try to do *more* (museums sometimes think
they should be everything to everyone and develop too many programs!), but
rather, do better at what they do.

In terms of being connected to one's local and regional history, county museums
SHOULD have an incredibly important place within the culture and history of our
communities and country.  Unfortunately, because of limited budgets and
sometimes untrained staff,county museums often don't *touch* people. Visitors
may find boring, un-meaningful displays.  Its too bad because newcomers to a
region, tourists, etc. are looking for someplace that can give them an overview
of the area--important people, history, architecture, etc--and these museum's
don't often do that very well.

Things could help county museums:  1) Professionalize the staff especially in
terms of getting them to consider the visitor's perspective in regards to
disseminating the museum's message, 2) learn to re-define staffing i.e. share
one curator among 3 small museums, 3) think partnerships--with other museums,
local businesses, etc. and 4) work  with local and county governments to get
them to understand the critical role these museums play within the areas of
community connectedness, attracting new people to town, tourism, etc.  As
someone in one of my workshops recently said, "Its too bad that income from
hotel room taxes generally goes to CVB's and Chambers of Commerce, rather than
to assist local history organizations and museums--the groups that are the
foundation of a community."

County museums (as with many types of museums) that don't think in new ways and
become more pro-active, unfortunatly, will not survive.

Susan M. Ward
Director, Heritage Communications
[log in to unmask]
615-661-6336

Elroy E. Ubl wrote:
<<What does the future look like for county museums. Government money,
patrons, $gifts, local support, etc.? Should there be more or less of the
following? Displays, programing, staffing, professional leadership,
purchasing historic property, publishing, sharing. If county museums are to
survive, what should / should not be done?>>