In response to query by: >Jeff Hyson >Doctoral Candidate, Department of History >Cornell University >[log in to unmask] In addition to the sources you cited for critical essays, etc. on U.S. museum history, here are a couple other suggestions. I have found some of the writings by Michael Ettema and Steven Hamp of the Henry Ford Museum particularly useful and provocative, e.g. one by Ettema, "History Museums and the Culture of Materialism" in PAST MEETS PRESENT (Washington: Smithsonian Institution Press, 1987). Also, works by folklorist Simon Bronner are interesting, e.g. FOLKLIFE STUDIES IN THE GUILDED AGE which includes an introductory essay on the evolution of folklore and ethnographic exhibits and collections, as well as period pieces by leading folklife scholars, many museum-based, from the late 19th century. Sorry, this latter book is at the office so I don't have the complete citation. There are so many terrific works of this type that narrowing your reading list should prove an interesting challenge. Good luck. Cory Amsler Mercer Museum Doylestown, PA [log in to unmask]