Doug,

I like your definition.  Thanks

One may question..what principles?  What beliefs, etc.?  ICOM or
AMA?   Would the Disneyland concept be a museum, or a play
school for children be a museum in a mall?  Some may question
you don't have to have a collection...but take on traveling or
rented exhibits......so these were problems I was having on
defining what exactly theory is.

Too, I think the visitor, unique community, mission, staff, board,
etc., too, plays a part in defining the museum (theory), because
each museum is unique unto it self.   Just thoughts...and would
appreciate more from you.  Thanks!!!

John Martinson
Port Hadlock, WA
-----Original Message-----
From: Doug Lantry <[log in to unmask]>
Newsgroups: bit.listserv.museum-l
To: [log in to unmask] <[log in to unmask]>
Date: Friday, May 15, 1998 8:53 AM
Subject: Re: Museum Theory


>Museum theory--the set of beliefs, principles, policies, abstract thought
>and concrete precedent and procedure used as guidelines for practice in
>the museum's functions of collecting, preserving, exhibiting,
>interpreting, and studying the material culture in its care.
>
>Whew!
>
>That's my stab at a definition. Anyone care to amend or annotate? (or
>snipe at?)
>
>........................................
>Doug Lantry
>The Ohio Historical Society
>Statehouse Education and Visitors Center
>Columbus, Ohio
>[log in to unmask]
>