I second this.  I saw a great exhibit on the Civil Rights movement in
Cincinnati at the Cincinnati History Center about 10-15 years ago that
incorporated audio from community members discussing their memories of
that time.

Julia Muney Moore
Public Art Administrator
Blackburn Architects, Indianapolis, IN
(317) 875-5500 x230
 
-----Original Message-----
From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On
Behalf Of Susan Kline
Sent: Wednesday, September 27, 2006 9:15 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [MUSEUM-L] For history museums

As someone who studies and loves post WWII American history, I must say
that I enjoy seeing exhibits that tackle more modern history although I
understand the issues involved with people still being alive who lived
through it. I'd suggest incorporating the thoughts and words of people
who experienced the events first hand from your community, whether it be
through audio, video or quotes and pictures on text panels. Oral history
can be very valuable and interesting when used in exhibits. Not only
will it be a good addition to the exhibit at hand now, it will help add
to your instiution's historical record for future generations. Also
another idea is to give visitors a place to write down their thoughts
and experiences if they were alive during the time period. 

Susan Kline
History M.A. student
University of Cincinnati

---- Original message ----
>Date: Wed, 27 Sep 2006 08:07:12 -0500
>From: Cindy Gardner <[log in to unmask]>  
>Subject: [MUSEUM-L] For history museums  
>To: [log in to unmask]
>
>For the history museum folks out there--
>We are currently designing exhibits for our new state history museum.  
>Our plan has always been to go through modern day with the exhibits.
>Now, that we are trying to develop these exhibits (and have the varying

>opinions of all involved of how they should be interpreted), I thought
I 
>would see what others have done.
>If you go through modern day, how do you handle the topics that many 
>people feel so strongly about because they "lived through it" without 
>supporting one side over the other?
>Thanks in advance for any suggestions.
>Cindy
> 
>
>-- 
>Cindy Gardner, Field Services Curator
>Museum of Mississippi History
>Mississippi Department of Archives and History
>P.O. Box 571
>Jackson, MS 39205-0571
>Telephone: 601/576-6901
>Facsimile: 601/576-6981
>Email: [log in to unmask]
>
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