HISP 200: Intro to Museum Studies

Identify and explain three criteria for museum collections development.

Three criteria for museum collections development are an item's consistency with the museums mission statement, its relevance to the museums collections, and its physical condition. The physical condition of the item must not threaten any other collections or people.

Define a furnishing plan and describe its content.

A furnishing plan for a historic house is a detailed report that describes the architectural elements, objects, and historical information that is necessary to furnish and interpret the house. It is comprised of architectural descriptions of each room, descriptions of proper furnishing for each room, and the historical justification for the selection of each architectural element and object.

ID Question: James Smithson

A British Scientist who left his estate to the US with the condition that an institution bearing his name be established for the increase and diffusion of knowledge. This museum, established in 1846, was called the Smithsonian Institution.

Name and explain (1) two challenges of label writing; (2) two ways to overcome such challenges.

A challenge of label writing is the fact that readers are standing and will tire if the label is very long. To remedy this, keep the labels short and use simple, clear language that's about 9th or 10th grade level. Additionally, the visitor may not be interested in reading about the topic. To overcome this, the content must be exciting and creative to keep the visitor reading.

ID Question: Charles Wilson Peale

Charles Wilson Peale, an American army officer, painter, and naturalist, established Peale Museum in Philadelphia in 1786. The museum showcased Peale's collections, including stuffed birds and a display of mammoth bones. Peale implemented unique scientific methods for these artifacts.

Why is lighting crucial to the preventive care of objects? What are the recommended standards and how are they achieved?

Controlling the amount of light and the duration of exposure prevents damage to objects. Materials sensitive to light include cellulose, organic materials, and paint pigments and coatings. Recommended max exposure to light is 50-200 lux and can be measured by light meters. Window protection, such as film shades or draperies, and low UV fluorescent tubes or protective sleeves for fluorescent tubes are a few ways to control light.

Define deaccessioning, give two examples of situations that can result in deaccessioning, and explain their disposal choice(s).

Deaccessioning is the process of legally and permanently removing accessioned objects from the museum's collections management system. One example could be to deteriorated to restore, and must be destroyed. If an object is a fake, it could be transferred to a secondary collection to be used for educational purposes or to another institution. The object could also be destroyed.

Define cataloging, describe its purpose, and list the three basic types of cataloging information covered by all object records (include an example of each).

Documenting all available info on an object's physical appearance, pre-museum life, and museum life in order to maintain accessibility of the collection for research and interpretation and prove accountability for the museum's property. Usually entered into a computer. All object records include physical information (materials, shape, colors, etc.), provenance information (maker, date made, place made--"pre-museum life"), and registration information (accession number, donor info, location in museum--"museum life").

ID Question: The British Museum

Established in 1753 by King George II of England, the British Museum displayed 70,000 objects from the collection of Sir Hans Sloan. King George II donated his own library and encouraged donations from private libraries and the collections of English nobles. He decided that the museum had the right to a copy of every book published in the country.

Name and explain three factors that effect exhibition planning.

Exhibition planning is affected by the museum's collections, space and time, as well as views of the funders. If a museum's collection is sparse or is not in proper condition to be on display, the museum would need to obtain objects through acquisition or through loans. Museums must also decide if they will plan a permanent exhibition that might require more space, or a temporary exhibit may not need as much space because it's only there for a short period of time. With permanent exhibitions, the novelty of the topic might wear off over time, whereas temporary exhibits may bring in more new visitors because the topics are new. Permanent exhibits, if they are well done, have the advantage of drawing in visitors from farther away and establishing a good reputation for the museum. Finally, museum planning is affected by funders who must approve of a museum's exhibition plan. Funders may prefer certain topics over others and inflict strict censorship on the content of the exhibition. Museums must also clarify everything with the sponsors before planning begins so that funding isn't pulled.

Explain the format of a given accession number.

Format: (control number). (accession number). (object number) An accession number is comprised of a control number, an accession number, and an object number. The control number is the year the item was accessioned, and sometimes has a collection abbreviation in front of it. The accession number is the serial number of a specific accession in a certain year. An object number is the serial number of an object in that particular accession. Some items that consist of several parts also include a letter along with the object number to denote the part of the object being documented.

As a veteran collections manager, what suggestions would you make to a less experienced colleague who asked for your opinion on (1) what good storage ensures and (2) the two rules of thumb for good storage equipment.

Good storage must keep objects physically accessible and provide enough space and support for the object. There must be effective security, fire, and water protection, as well as proper environmental conditions. Good storage equipment must be made from materials that are durable, non-combustable, and don't emit harmful substances. Storage must also be properly labeled for easy identification.

Explain (1) the context in which NAGPRA was adopted and (2) how NAGPRA works.

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, many Native American objects were taken by white men and put in museum collections. In the 1970s through the 1980s, Native Americans began reclaiming their objects, but some museums resisted. In 1990, the Native American Graves Protection Act (NAGPRA) was passed, and requires all federally funded museums to inventory culturally sensitive materials and consult with Native American tribes to reach agreements on repatriation. Native peoples must demonstrate that the object is "sacred" and prove that the museum holding the object doesn't have the right of possession.

In his article "From Being about Something to Being for Somebody," Stephen Weil explores the historical development of the American museum during the last 50‐60 years. Summarize this transformation and describe at least one factor that generated it.

In the mid 1940s, museums were more like establishments, and focused inwardly on their collections. There were no efforts to engage the public, and museums prioritized the study, preservation, and growth of their collections. Following WWII, a huge increase in museums meant that the government could not provide as much funding. A decrease in government funding required museums to look elsewhere for support, and this marks a dramatic shift in the purpose of the museum. By the 1990s, the focus had shifted to attracting visitors in order to raise public funds. Museums changed to "marketing" mode in order to satisfy public needs and interest.

Name and describe the factors that inform the decisions on the use of lighting in museum exhibition design.

Lighting in museum exhibition design is dependent upon behavioral psychology, the functional needs of the space, and the conservation needs of objects. Behavioral psychology refers to the mood that light can set within the exhibition. If one object is more important than another, there could be a spotlight on the object. Lighting is also affected by functional needs, such as the amount of natural light in the room and the optimal level of reading for visitors. Finally, some objects may only be able to handle a limited amount of light and exposure to ensure its conservation. This affects the type and wattage of bulbs used.

How do museums organize their collections? Name and explain two methods.

Museum collections can be organized by subject or by material category. Collections organized by subject, such as clothing or food, are specific to large museums that specialize in one discipline. They are diverse and reflect the interests of the curator or continues with guidelines set in the CMP. Collections organized by material category, such as wood or glass, are specific to museums whose collections can be neatly differentiated based on objects' materials. This method simplifies preventative conservation and collections management.

Define museum registration and explain its two goals.

Museum registration is informally known as record-keeping or the "paper trail." It's a system that creates documentation for each transaction/activity that involves museum objects, and it establishes the measures meant to ensure the production of this documentation (i.e. procedures to be followed).

Why and how do museums perform inventories?

Museums preform inventories for security purposes, like deterring and detecting thefts, and for review to make sure that objects are properly stored, to check the object's condition, and to make sure that the location info in the object record is correct. Inventories are completed by checking the physical location of all the objects that a museum has accessioned or borrowed from other museums/collectors. There are two types of inventories: comprehensive, which checks all objects, and spot-check, which checks random samples of objects. Because a museum's collection is typically very big, spot-checking is the preferred method. Inventories are performed by collections managers, registrars, curators, volunteers, and interns.

What are the three characteristics of non-profit museums?

Non-profit museums are 501(c) organizations that are exempted from some federal income taxes. They must exist for the public good, and surplus funds are not distributed to shareholders and owners, but used to advance the organization's goals.

Identify and explain three reasons why numerous museums in the late-‐‐19th century were considered "elitist."

Numerous museums in the late 19th century were considered elitist because of their imposing Beaux-Arts style architecture, their locations in luxurious landscapes, and their focus on European fine arts (instead of American arts). John Cotton Dana, a critic of elite museums, argued that museums should display American history and objects, and should appeal to people to working-class visitors as well. He believed that museums should display more everyday, ordinary objects, and should collaborate with public institutions.

Name and explain two advantages and two disadvantages of the museum exhibition as a medium of communication.

One advantage of the museum exhibition as a medium of communication is that it facilitates direct encounters between visitors and 3D objects. Showing objects at full scale in 3D allows visitors to get up close to the object and see it from all different angles. Museum exhibitions also communicate messages to visitors by encouraging the simultaneous use of multiple senses. They do this by incorporating interpretive material, such as hands-on displays and videos, along with the object. On the other hand, using museum exhibitions as a medium of communications is disadvantageous because executing the production costs a lot of money. Exhibition design is also limited by the physical capabilities of visitors. For example, creating a lengthy exhibition will tire visitors out before they finish it.

What are the differences between preventive and remedial conservation?

Preventive care, also known as preservation or stabilization, focuses on controlling the factors that could cause harm to the object. These factors could be environmental, storage related, or have to do with the handling, packing, and shipping of the object. Remedial care, also known as restoration or consolidation, is done in order to reverse the effects of time and damage and bring the object as close to its original appearance as possible. Treatment methods and materials must be reversible.

What is the significance of John D. Rockefeller's and Henry Ford's museum projects in the history of museums in the U.S.?

Rockefeller's and Ford's museum projects were two of the first outdoor, living history museums in the US. Rockefeller's establishment of Colonial Williamsburg in 1926 focused on colonial elites. Ford, on the other hand, focused on agricultural, domestic, and industrial buildings in Greenfield Village, established 1929 in Dearborn, MI.

Identify two early preservation projects in the US and explain the historical context in which they were initiated.

Sparked by pre-civil war patriotic feelings, the New York State Legislature saved George Washington's revolutionary headquarters in NY in 1850, establishing the first historic house in the U.S. Ten years later, the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association bought and restored Mount Vernon, George Washington's plantation home in VA.

Why is the combination of temperature and humidity crucial to the preventive care of objects? What are the recommended standards and how are they achieved?

Temperature, the degree of hotness or coldness, and humidity, the moisture content, are directly related to each other, and extremes of either one of them causes damage to objects. Museums are concerned with managing relative humidity, which is the feel of humidity at a given temperature. They must take preventive care by keeping the temperature in the museum between 68 degrees and 72 degrees F, and the relative humidity between 45% and 60%. To measure humidity and temperature, one uses a thermal hygrometer. To control humidity and temperature, museums use dehumidifiers/humidifiers and air conditioning systems.

As the director of a local museum with a limited budget and small staff, what aspects would you consider when choosing between organizing a temporary exhibit and hosting a traveling exhibit?

Temporary exhibits require more time and labor from museum staff, while traveling exhibits already have everything ready for installation. Temporary exhibits allow for experimentation with new design, and exhibition ideas topics are more customizable to the local area and current events. Topics for traveling exhibits are confined to what's available. Furthermore, museums can also use their own objects for temporary exhibits, but hosting a traveling exhibit places the responsibility of caring for another museum's collection on the hosting museum. Traveling exhibits also have lower production costs for catalogs, publicity materials, and souvenirs.

Use your own words to explain the "what"-part of interpretation. Name the three characteristics of museum interpretation.

The "what" part of interpretation is the narrative that a museum decides to tell for an object based on the topic of the exhibition. Interpretation is a matter of institutional choice, is subject to change, and is a planned process.

Give two examples of ethical dilemmas in museums. One example should be from conservation and the other from deaccessioning. To explain the situation, you can use any case study we discussed in class. Be brief but make sure your examples make complete sense.

The cleaning of an artifact often presents an ethical dilemma on how best to go about the process, since cleaning is irreversible. For example, a collection is covered in nicotine because the collector was a heavy smoker. The conservator recommends cleaning the layer of nicotine, while the curator argues that removing the nicotine would weaken the authenticity of the objects. Another ethical dilemma is deaccessioning. For example, a transportation history museum has very limited space and needs to expand. After a collections assessment, it's found that there are large objects that are not in the condition to be displayed. Most of them are duplicates. The museum must decide whether to donate to bus enthusiasts who would repair, drive, and collect such items or to sell them to a local private school.

Define the collections management policy, identify the three main parts of it, and explain how it helps the systematic approach of museum collecting.

The collections management policy (CMP) is an institutional plan developed by museum staff that governs all aspects of collections development, care, and use. The CMP establishes guidelines and professional standards for museum staff in charge of making collections-related decisions. Having these provisions creates consistency of museum acquisitions and lays out clear directions for museum staff.

Name and describe the factors that inform the decisions on the use of color in museum exhibition design.

The colors of the objects determine the corresponding color scheme of the exhibition. Designers pick exhibition colors that complement the colors of the objects. Colors can also be used as symbols that communicate messages to the viewer. For example, blue is associated with water, meaning it could be good for an exhibition on marine life. The use of color in museum exhibition design is also affected by the mood to be achieved in the exhibit environment. If the desired mood of the exhibit is somber, designers might choose dark colors.

Describe the conservation phase in the process of planning an exhibit.

The conservation phase is overseen by the conservator, who must prepare condition reports for every object that could end up in the exhibit. After completing the condition reports, the conservator may recommend remedial conservation for some objects, as well as recommended care and use of the objects. Conservators also oversee the design of mounts. They must make sure that a mount doesn't concentrate stress on any one area of an object and that there is maximum visibility of the object.

Identify and explain the five museum acquisition methods in use today.

There are five museum acquisition methods: gifts, purchases, exchange or transfer between museums, bequest, and collections in the field. With gifts, donors approach the museum or vice versa. Purchases are acquired at auctions, from collectors, dealers, etc. A bequest occurs when the object enters the museum collection after the death of the donor through a will. Collections in the field are made when museum staff looks for objects in their original settings.

Refer to the classification of museums based on the exhibit type and describe the nature of at least three categories.

Three types of museums based on the exhibit type are traditional museums, living history museums, and historic houses. Traditional, or indoor museums, are brick-an-mortar structures that house collections, exhibitions, programs, etc. Living history, or open-air, museums staffed with costumed interpreters, who demonstrate occupations, daily life, etc. from the past. They are also known as the "museum of buildings." Historic houses are related to the life of well-known individual or to a historic event. The house itself is a museum artifact, and objects may or may not be original to the house.