Thanks, Lee!  As the Curator who moved the institution away from using
mostly originals with some repros to mostly repos with some originals, I
appreciate the vote of confidence.  It was a difficult task to convince
staff and board why it was necessary, but with careful and persistent
education, they began to embrace the shift in philosophy.  Then came the
task of writing an effective collection policy that addressed the use of
reproductions.  It is difficult work to ferret out good reproductions,
but it can be done.

Thanks again for the vote of confidence!
VivianLea Stevens
former Curator of Collections and Exhibitions,
Museum of American Frontier Culture,
Staunton, VA

Lee Langston-Harrison wrote:
>
> Well stated Lisa!  A good example of a facility that has tackled this issue
> is the American Frontier Culture Museum in Staunton, Virginia . . . if
> possible, go have a look at how they are dealing with the "real vs
> reproduction" issue.
>
> Lee Langston-Harrison
> Dir. of Curatorial Ops
> Montpelier, Home of James & Dolley Madison
> Montpelier Station, VA
>
> ----------
> From: Lisa Craig Brisson (Lisa Brisson) <[log in to unmask]>
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: Museum Purpose (was Introduction and Inquiry)
> Date: Thursday, January 21, 1999 8:57 AM
>
> I think the issue of using originals and reproductions in a living history
> setting is more complicated and is one that almost every historic site
> deals with.  It begins with the use of historic buildings, which are
> themselves usually part of a museum's collection, and leads to a can of
> worms with artifacts as well.
>
> This seems especially true for historic sites with living history programs.
>  Most living history sites I know struggle to find a balance between
> showing "the real things" and showing a way of life or a process.
> Collecting and preserving PROCESS is a big part of some museum's collecting
> mission.  In order to demonstrate (preserve) processes, you have to USE
> stuff.  When you use something, it tends to deteriorate.  Unlike some other
> types of museums, where all artifacts are in carefully protected and
> regulated environments, artifacts (or reproductions) at living history
> sites are out in the open and at risk for all kinds of dangers.
>
> It would be pretty irresponsible of me (and MANY people would not be
> amused) if I let the interpretive staff at the Biddle House conduct cooking
> demonstrations with an original wooden bowl that belonged to Agatha Biddle.
>  They are great interpreters, and great cooks, but they tend to be a little
> hard on things.  To have them use the bowl just because it's the "real
> thing" would completely contradict the part of our mission that charges us
> to "preserve."  Instead, we buy reproduction items for the staff to cook
> with.  They can be used for their original purpose, and are easily replaced
> if destroyed.
>
> One way that we and many other sites give visitors the opportunity to see
> "the real thing," while still allowing for good living history programs, is
> to have original artifacts exhibited in separate spaces.  Often these
> exhibits are in visitor centers or other buildings on site.  It allows us
> to both protect the things we are charged with preserving and give visitors
> access to original artifacts.  That's where I think the Biddle bowl
> belongs.
>
> For more information about how living history sites think about artifacts,
> take a look at the article "The Challenges of Collections Care in Living
> History Museums" written by Bob Cottrell in the Summer 1995 issue of
> History News.
>
> I've worked at several living history sites and heard the question "Is that
> real?" thousands of times.  I've found that while many visitors expect to
> see original artifacts, many other visitors mainly want to see "how it
> was."  When I explain that we are using reproduction to show a process that
> would destroy an original artifact, most visitors understand and are happy
> to know how we operate.  This is just my opinion (it would be a neat study
> though) but I think it is shared by many others working at living history
> sites.
>
> One thing that Museum-L helps me to understand is how truly diverse the
> museum community is.  We share many of the same struggles, but all have our
> own challenges and rewards as well.
>
> Lisa Craig Brisson
> Museum Educator
> Mackinac State Historic Parks
> [log in to unmask]
> ----------