----- Original Message ----
From: "Pickering, Felicia" <
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[log in to unmask]Sent: Monday, July 28, 2008 1:07:52 PM
Subject: Re: [MUSEUM-L] the Southwest Museum
Gayle, I lamented the absorption of the Southwest by the Autry for some of the same reasons you mention, and I too worry about its future as part of the Autry, and the future of the original museum building. Those not acquainted with the issues can see these articles for info. http://www.oldwestnewwest.com/placestovisit/southwestmuseum.html
However, note that a number of the exhibit and storage collections at the Southwest were in sad shape prior to the merger with the Autry, due to budget contraints. Also, most of the Southwest's collections were not on display even then, but rather were in storage, and that is typical of most museums, especially large museums.
Most museums, especially large museums, only have a small percentage of their collections on display at any one time. Some pieces may be too fragile ever to display or to display for long. Responsible museums store their collections safely, conserve them, and use their non-exhibit pieces for research. They make them accessible by appointment to scholars and to the members of various communities whose heritage they represent, including Native Americans. They also try, given often limited budgets, to make them accessible on the web, in publications, and by other sometimes rather "creative" means. The Autry seems to be working hard on the conservation and physical care of the Southwest collections, and the collections were in desperate need of money and care.
Also, any museum in an earthquake zone has to be very careful whenever they put anything on display, even briefly. It is really crucial to mount or bracket objects carefully. This means any display, even a small temporary one, is not an easy undertaking.
So while I understand the missed opportunity you felt the pow wow represented, please don't fall into the trap of assuming that the only purpose of museum artifacts is for exhibit, or that the Southwest collections can be easily and safely exhibited in the old building at this time. Also, as one of my co-workers says, no one goes into a library and assumes that just because there are a lot of books on the shelves, those books are not being used. Therefore, please don't assume that just because the Southwest's artifacts are not on display currently in their original building, that they are just being warehoused and are not serving a variety of functions and reaching a variety of audiences (or rather that they won't do that in the future, especially when the current conservation work is completed.)
I have mixed feelings on this. I've long thought that, economically, museums are going to have to consolidate in order to survive. There are far too many one-subject museums without a chance of survival--especially in these economic times--because they are too specific and the audience too narrow.
Word is that the Southwest is closed for rehabilitation. While I believe that the building may have needed some updating to put it into earthquake code, my opinion is that Autry really missed the boat this week.
You see, they hosted the 40th Pow Wow over the weekend, and grandkids and I went to both the Pow Wow and to the museum (separate admission). When the two organizations merged, Autry took possession of all of the artifacts and, rather than to display them in the museum, they're all in storage.
BAD MESSAGE. Very bad message from a diversity standpoint, especially when you're hosting the Pow Wow. Yes, it's great to demonstrate the diversity by hosting the event, but I really was disappointed to find that, except for some paintings depicting Native Americans, none of the collections were available. With all the galleries in the building, one could have been used to put out baskets, pots, blankets, and other artifacts, dedicating that gallery for the display of the works of the indigenous people.
We were very dismayed to find this out. My grandkids great-great grandfather was Creek, and the kids would have liked to have seen something reflecting the various tribes. They enjoyed the western heritage, don't get me wrong, but this was a real missed opportunities.
And, if I'm feeling badly about it, imagine the tribes! They used to hold the Pow Wow at the Southwest. Can you imagine the sentiments--perhaps not expressed--of the tribes themselves because the collections were diminished?
Yes, I understand all the whys and wherefores, but this was a negative in what was otherwise a positive event, and makes it look like, even a 100 years later, the White Man is still taking things away from the Natives. They're in storage. I understand. They're being protected. I understand. But these are objects of great pride that are being stashed away. Not good.
----- Original Message ----
From: Richard Fields <
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[log in to unmask]Sent: Monday, July 28, 2008 10:46:47 AM
Subject: Re: [MUSEUM-L] Conservation Corps alumni museum is closing in St. Louis
Although it is sad to see a museum fade away, isn't it sadder to see one linger on with no apparent purpose? In a time when we have museum bloat, that is we are over-served with museums in some areas, isn't it refreshing to see a board decide to close up shop rather than trying to serve a need that no longer exists? I think we will see more of this in the future as some of the museums we have today see their constituency groups age and die, with little interest from those who follow them. It is similar to a veterans groups limiting membership to a particular war. What happens when all the veterans die? Do you change missions, or go gracefully into the night? In museums, what happens when no one care about, say, Route 66, or the Lincoln Highway, because all those who knew it have died. We may argue that we need to commemorate it, but then how many museums do you need? A quick Internet search shows at least 6 museums dedicated to Route 66 alone (the
Lincoln Highway has multiple museums as well). Someday, some of these museums will face this dilemma. Other specific interest museums will face this scenario too.
How many museums plan in advance for the time when they may cease to exist? The philanthropic pie is only so big, and some will go hungry. Kudos for the folks who can make the choice to close before their hands are forced.
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