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Date: Wed, 26 May 1999 21:03:42 -0400
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Sender: "CHILDMUS - A Forum for Children's Museum Professionals"
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From: Dave Orleans <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: Re: MCMUSEUMS
To: [log in to unmask]
Okay, Brian has a somewhat narrow view of the concept of "collections". With
most children's museums or discovery museums there are indeed collections, but
of hands-on experiences rather than "do-not-touch" artifacts.
However, there are two things to consider here.
First, Brian comes from a Historical Society setting which, as I recall, is
usually a collection of historical artifacts crammed in a historic house which
is much too small to give even those collections a chance to be interpreted in
a creative, interactive way. Besides, many historical collections are too
delicate to be handled by visitors. For example, antique toys, which were
meant to be played with once upon a time, have attained the status of
"historical artifacts" in today's world.
There is a wonderful place for museums that have those collections, alongside
the experiential collections of activities and "playspaces" which give kids
practice at doing the real thing, or a chance to learn by experimentation with
open-ended "collections" of one sort or another.
The second thing to consider is that although this has been a great
springboard for discussion, Brian made his remarks on another listserve and
will not hear any of our comments unless someone forwards them back to that list.
In any case, the discussion has been enjoyable so far. There's nothing like
an incoming volley to rally the troops!
Dave Orleans
[log in to unmask]
Volunteer CHILDMUS Lurker for
Garden State Discovery Museum
16 N. Springdale Rd.
Cherry Hill, NJ 08003
(609)424-1233
[log in to unmask]