> >As for the collecting-defines-the-museum role, as recently as >the '50s most museums (history ones at least) did NOT provide >school extension programs, rarely recruited school tours (some >even actively discouraged them as "improper" for their hoary halls), >seldom provided lectures, and could not imagine such activities >as camp-ins, tour programs to other sites and museums, and >internships. Few even had gift shops! Would a museum do those >things? > Maybe I'm biased, but our museum storage and gallery doesn't seem to make my archives (photo and paper) and library any less significant. We call ourselves the "Museum of the Great Plains," but everyone likes to say Great Plains Museum (which really angers some). We also have a living history program in our compound. Granted, most people come to see the exhibit gallery, but we get a (large) handful of researchers. And we're only a city museum, with a generous institute that backs us up. We have tons of school groups that come to visit for programs/guided tours and a substantial outreach program to students and teachers alike. We even have a gift shop (with lots of book!!) Maybe we should change OUR name {:-Deb Deborah Baroff, Curator of Special Collections Museum of the Great Plains Lawton OK