I looked it up in two quick references and have to disagree with the idea of exhibition NOT being in the dictionary... We must always remember that words and meanings can change over time, just like museums. Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary Function: noun Etymology: Latin Museum place for learned occupation, from Greek Mouseion, from neuter of Mouseios of the Muses, from Mousa Date: 1672 : an institution devoted to the procurement, care, study, and display of objects of lasting interest or value; also : a place where objects are exhibited The American HeritageŽ Dictionary of the English Language: Fourth Edition NOUN : A building, place, or institution devoted to the acquisition, conservation, study, exhibition, and educational interpretation of objects having scientific, historical, or artistic value. David Haberstich wrote: > The dictionaries I've consulted define a museum as an instituton which > collects and preserves historic and/or aesthetic artifacts and makes them > available for study--nothing more, nothing less. Note that this does not > even include public display. While public display is a logical, efficient, > and convenient way to make artifacts available for study, it does not > necessarily mean that exhibition is the essence of a museum; indeed, a > museum, by dictionary definition, is not required to do exhibitions, however > logical, beneficial, and advisable they might be. ***************************************************************** D. Neil Bremer Bremer Communications Image and Communication Skills for Business Office: (708) 848-5945 Fax: (708) 848-6011 Email: [log in to unmask] URL: http://www.bremercommunications.com ========================================================Important Subscriber Information: The Museum-L FAQ file is located at http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "help" (without the quotes). If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "Signoff Museum-L" (without the quotes).