Oh dear - eco museum = expression of 'man and nature'. What kind of definition is that? Language in museums which represents people so that women are part of the world is important and essential. ______________________________ Reply Separator _________________________________ Subject: Re: What is an eco-museum? Author: Museum discussion list <[log in to unmask]> at -Internet Date: 26/9/96 2:15 AM Sifting through some articles I've had at home from my museum studies days I found the following definition of an eco-museum: "An ecomuseum is an instrument conceived, fashioned and operated jointly by a public authority and a local population. The public authority's involvement is through the experts, facilities and resources it provides; the local population's involvement depends on its aspirations, knowledge and individual approach. It is a mirror in which the local population views itself to discover its own image..It is a mirror that the local population holds up to its visitors so that it may be better understood and so that its industry, customs and identity may command respect. It is an expression of man and nature... It is an expression of time... It is an interpretation of space... It is a labratory, in so far as it contributes to the study of the past and present of the population concerned and of its environment and promotes the training of specialists in these fields, in co-operation with outside research bodies. It is a conversation centre...to preserve and develop natural and cultural heritage. It is a school, in so far as it involves the population in its work of study and protection and encourages it to have a clearer grasp of its own future." Georges-Henri Riviere MUSEUM, no. 27, 1985 Sounds like a museum doesn't it? Carla Morse Curator HMCS HAIDA Naval Museum [log in to unmask] Toronto, ON