Last season I experimented in our small historical museum with permitting visitors to handle one item if they put on the white gloves.  They seemed really respectful and honored to do so, no matter what their age. This season I tried it in another area, and can tell the gloves are used because they are placed in a different position each time I do a walk-through (visitors are unsupervised unless we have a walk-around docent that day). I change them out every few days, and will do so every day as our numbers increase with summer. Visitors will stop at the desk and thank the volunteer for the opportunity to handle the two items.  We also have a journal out for visitors to leave stories in our oral history exhibit. In the same oral history room, which has both lots of text to read and a scheduled real live historic treasure to tell stories and respond to questions, I have a large set of Lincoln Logs for young visitors (and old) to build their own log cabin inside our historic log cabins.  The Lincoln Logs definitely take the edge off the urge to touch.  This year I found much less touching of exhibit items by creating wider “paths” through the log cabins that clearly mark the boundaries between visitor and exhibit.  I do put cautionary labels that include educational information on items placed close to the visitor path.

 

As we are currently open only in the summertime, I rarely get school visits.

 

Micki Ryan, Director

Orcas Island Historical Museum

[log in to unmask]

PO Box 134

Eastsound WA 98245

360 376 4849

www.orcasmuseum.org

 

 

 

From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Janice Armstrong
Sent: Wednesday, June 18, 2008 8:15 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: "do not touch" labels

 

I recently had 450 5th graders come through our small house museum. I put on my white gloves and explained that the dirt and oil on their hands damages the artifacts so please don't touch. They were so respectful of things that I had to make a special point of telling them they could touch the handrail on the windy stairs on their way up!

 

Janice Armstrong

Fleming Castle Museum

Flemington NJ

www.flemingcastle.com

----- Original Message -----

From: Debra Loguda-Summers

To: [log in to unmask]

Sent: Wednesday, June 18, 2008 11:03 AM

Subject: Re: [MUSEUM-L] "do not touch" labels

 

We also found that the "do not touch" signs really didn't do any good.  Also the velvet ropes don't see to keep "those people" out either :) 

We find that it is easier just to do a gentle reminder when people are walking around.

 

Debra Loguda-Summers, Curator
Still National Osteopathic Museum and National Center for Osteopathic History
800 West Jefferson
Kirksville, MO 63501
Phone: 660 626 2359 
Fax: 660 626 2984 
Toll Free: 1 866 626 ATSU Ext. 2359
[log in to unmask]
www.atsu.edu/museum
 

The Mission of the Still National Osteopathic Museum is to collect, preserve, and make available artifacts and related materials to communicate the history and philosophy about the osteopathic principles of mind, body and spirit to a global audience.

 

>>> "Jackson, Gregory" <[log in to unmask]> 6/18/2008 9:43 AM >>>

I have found that, at best, "do not touch" signs are only a gentle reminder.  Some people will touch regardless - they can't help themselves.  The same people, I'm sure, that touch the paint to see if the "Wet Paint" sign is really telling the truth.  If velvet ropes aren't an option for you (or something similar), a psychological boundary may help.  Just position the objects so it is a little awkward for a guest to reach them.  Many people will avoid touching if it is very obvious that they are doing so.

 

Greg

 

Pottsgrove Manor Historic Site

 

---

From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Heidi Campbell-Shoaf
Sent: Wednesday, June 18, 2008 10:17 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [MUSEUM-L] "do not touch" labels

 

I just opened a new exhibit in which there are several pieces of furniture on display as well as glass, ceramics, artwork, etc. All of the small, fragile items are under vitrines but the furniture pieces are simply on risers. When reviewing the exhibit with our docents, they expressed concern that I did not have "do not touch" signs on the furniture.  I've used these signs in the past but I am wondering about their effectiveness. I've observed both at my museum and at others, that some people will touch regardless of signage.  I've also noticed that most larger museums I've visited do not have these signs at all.  Our museum experience is guided tour only and the docents are trained to remind visitors not to touch items on exhibit. The new exhibition can be self-guided but the vast majority of the time there will be a docent in the room with the visitor.

 

I'd like to hear about other's experience with "do not touch" signs and whether they work or just clutter up an exhibit and have little effectiveness.

 

Heidi Campbell-Shoaf, Curator

Museum of Frederick County History

Historical Society of Frederick County

24 East Church Street

Frederick, Md. 21701

www.hsfcinfo.org

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