I run a historic house museum that often hosts
tours of elementary students around Christmas time (to see the decorations) and
middle school students in the spring (history of technology...today versus
1890's). While my docents cringe at the mention of student groups, I find
that typically they are some of the better behaved tourists/patrons that we get
in a typical year.
As a matter of fact, one of the docents refers to
one of the local senior citizen group tours as "herding cats" as some wander
ahead or lag behind the guided tour. Furthermore, we see more adults
attempting to handle artifacts than the children do.
We usually start out a children's tour by stating
that this is a Museum or a "hands in your pockets" place. Never had a
problem/complaint...knock on wood.
I am also a volunteer/board
member at our local county Museum. My wife and I annually host the entire
7th grade class field trip the last week of school...what I refer to as "lack of
lesson plan week". Typically the group will be 100-150 students, four
teachers, one administrator, and maybe three parents. It is a whirl-wind
of organized chaos...we usually give a short introduction with a scavenger
hunt. Works well, but it totally scares our volunteers (we are the only
volunteers willing to work with this particular demographic of visitor!).
As it fills the capacity of the building, we will typically close to the general
public for the hour or so that the large group is there...though our research
archives will remain open.
Bottom line, in my experience, I prefer to work
with kids of all ages in the Museums that I have contact with. I enjoy
trying to engage them and find something of relevance for them. They
typically remember the contact years later, and sometimes become
members/supporters.
Just my two cents....
Ray
Ray Lennard, Curator
William G. Thompson Museum
& Gardens
101 Summit St.
Hudson, MI
49247
517-448-8125
thomsponmuseum.org
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Wednesday, July 06, 2011 7:35
PM
Subject: [MUSEUM-L] Children in
Museums
A close friend of mine (married, childless I should add)
brought the following to the attention of another list serve . I thought I
would share it and see how others deal with this or don’t. Let the controversy
begin..
My wife and I visit historic sites, museums and events. It
seems that the experience is often spoiled by the unruly behavior of children
- from babies crying to adolescents being...well...adolescent!
The concept of exposing children to historic and cultural
things seems wonderful in theory. Indeed, many sources for funding insist
institutions include kid-friendly components as a requisite for consideration.
But I have to wonder if in practice that the average child - for whatever
reasons - doesn't get anything out of the experience and often only ruins it
for the adults who actually appreciate the opportunity.
I know not every child is like this - I was always a
history geek, even when I was little. But several encounters with both
individual families and school groups at events and exhibits have made me
question how we approach this.
Now don’t shoot the messenger, I have my thoughts as both
an educator and museum professional. I wanted to see what others think or do.
Then ill post mine in a few days
Peace
Jim
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