I don't understand why the definition of museum has to be so narrow and exclusive. Both a museum of fine arts and something grimy and pedestrian like an airshow are part and parcel of material culture, conservation (to different degrees), and education. Why does a museum have to be indoors, in a controlled environment, etc.? Because standards for accreditation are geared to that environment? Can the following functions occur in both environments: acquisition, conservation, study, interpretation, display of objects? Yes, they can and do. IMHO, a museum exhibit can be lots more than what we've traditionally been shown -- even if it's not in a conventional "museum," it can achieve similar purposes through much different means. In this sense I regard an airshow as a potentially educational exhibit, and the whole event as a sort of ephemeral museum. Doug Lantry ........................ Doug Lantry University of Delaware [log in to unmask] On Fri, 29 Mar 1996, David Haberstich wrote: > I don't understand why so many people are so confused about what a > museum is. No, an airshow is not a museum exhibit. There is no point in > trying to turn all language and communication on its ear. Does an > airshow have certain aspects in common with a museum? Of course. But it > ain't a museum. --D. Haberstich >