The work of the Ethics Committee and, I guess,  in defining membership
eligibility in ICOM is far more about the activities constituting a museum
rather than a building, institution or organisation that may or may not be a
museum. I think therefore we have to be more radical in our approach
todefining the term "museum".  To use the term as an adjective, however,
would be etymologically incorrect. There is, however, good precedent in both
English and French for its use in the context of a collection - the reason
for these activities.

I suggest the following definition, therefore, to develop argument on this
basis:

Museum: A knowledge base of the tangible and intangible evidence of the
cultural and natural inheritance of humanity.  Such a collection, normally
in the form of objects or specimens, preserves, promotes and presents this
heritage for the benefit of society and its development on a non-profit,
permanent basis. A museum is also a place, real or virtual, to which the
public have access to benefit from such activities.

Geoffrey Lewis


----- Original Message -----
From: "Gary Edson" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Tuesday, October 07, 2003 3:50 PM
Subject: Definition of a Museum


> Colleagues:
>
> The following is one of the definition that has been suggested. What are
> your thoughts  about this idea. Does it adequately describe a "museum," or
> is it too broad, too limiting, too inclusive, or too exclusive?
>
>
> A MUSEUM IS AN EDUCATIONAL ORGANIZATION THAT SERVES THE PUBLIC BY
> INTERPRETING SCIENTIFIC, CULTURAL AND/OR NATURAL HERITAGE THROUGH
> THE USE OF A PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT AND OFTEN OBJECTS. MUSEUMS THAT
> HOLD COLLECTIONS CARE FOR THEM AS A PUBLIC TRUST AND PRESERVE THEM
> FOR THE FUTURE.
>
> Gary Edson
>
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