Katherine Steiner Stocker wrote: > > Reynolda House in Winston-Salem, NC has a booklet which I believe is for > sale, but, when I visited, they had a few copies marked "museum use only" > or some such, that they loaned out to people going through the collection. > (They have a large art collection, and some furniture.) It did not contain > the complete collection, but did go into depth on some pieces, and was > quite helpful. I believe I've seen someone from Reynolda House post to the > list, if they'd like to comment on what response they get to it, how many > they actually sell, and how many copies sprout legs and walk off (pardon > me, let me rephrase. . . how many visitors accidentally forget to return > it)? > Katherine Steiner Stocker > [log in to unmask] > "If the world were a logical place, men would ride side-saddle." --Rita > Mae Brown Thanks, Katherine! Our house guide is designed for off-the-street visitors, since the museum is set up for self-guided tours (tours by appointment). Visitors are given the paperback booklet (50 pp, 8.5 in. X 5.5 in.) at the front desk, receive a brief orientation and then off they go! Since we are a furnished historic house (former mansion of RJ Reynolds) and an American art museum (significant collection) people want to know about many things --the art, the family, the estate. So we have floor maps, photographs, etc. OK, now I'll try to sum up: They are available for sale at the front desk for $4.00 (actual cost is $2.40) We sell about 250 guides (we have approximately 50,000 visitors) per year. We cover them with a gaudy flourescent green contact paper so that visitors are less likely to walk out with them, or forget to return them. Our biggest problem is that they get chewed up and out of date quickly (our director likes to move even our permanent collection around!). However, we have made updated, less attractive xerox copies of the book and people seem satisfied (they can still buy the glossier version). We identify the exhibits by room (e.g, dining room) so that people can tour in any direction and still find the right information when they want it. People really read it -- even out loud to a companion! The information is fairly broad, with more in-depth information on selected paintings and furniture. For a low-tech application, it's very effective. I should say we have security posted throughout the house to answer further questions and staff walking through the galleries try to answer questions too. Kathleen Hutton coordinator of education, Reynolda House Museum of American Art Box 11765, Winston-Salem, NC 27116-1765 phone (336) 725-5325 fax (336) 721-0991 e-mail [log in to unmask]