LISTSERV - MUSEUM-L Archives - HOME.EASE.LSOFT.COM

I’ve always been told to capitalize “Museum” or “Symphony” when you are referring to your specific organization, since it is acting as an abbreviation. So it’s “the Museum” as opposed to “a museum.” It also gives greater weight to the word when you are writing for donors and members.

Kristin

-----Original Message-----
From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Becky Fitzgerald
Sent: Thursday, November 03, 2005 11:21 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [MUSEUM-L] Grammar/capitalization question

According to The St. Martin's Handbook;

"Capitalize proper nouns (those naming specific persons, places, and things) and proper adjectives (those formed from proper nouns). In general, do not capitalize common nouns (those naming general classes of people, places or things) unless they begin a sentence or are used as part of a proper noun. Do not capitalize articles (a, an, or the), or prepositions preceding or within such terms."

Becky Fitzgerald

-----Original Message-----
From: Pamela Elbe [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Thursday, November 03, 2005 12:02 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [MUSEUM-L] Grammar/capitalization question

I have a slightly off-topic question for everyone in museumland: When replacing the proper name of your museum with the phrase “the museum” (as in “the museum is wheelchair accessible”) do you capitalize the “m” in museum or not? Is there an absolute right or wrong, or is it just a style preference? I am of the thought that it is a style preference. We’ve generally capitalized the “m” but currently have a volunteer designing a new brochure for us and she that we shouldn’t capitalize the “m” because we’re “not the Vatican.” Anyone have any input/feelings on the matter?

In a related question, how many museums have style sheets or guides, and if you have one would you be willing to share it?

Thanks much in advance!

Pamela Elbe

Collections Manager and Archivist

National Museum of American Jewish Military History

1811 R St. NW, Washington DC 20009

p: 202.265.6280 x201

f: 202.462.3192

http://www.nmajmh.org

Don’t miss our exhibition, Reconnaissance and Recollection: Military and Civilian Photographs from World War II—the photographs of Sy Weinstein.

========================================================= 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).

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). ========================================================= Important Subscriber Information:

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).