Museum facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Museum |
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A museum (/mjuːˈziːəm/ mew-ZEE-əm) is a special place that collects and takes care of important objects. These objects can be about culture, art, or science. Many museums show these objects in public exhibits. Some also have private collections used by researchers.
Unlike a library, which mainly has books, a museum has many different kinds of objects. Museums often focus on a specific topic. This could be art, science, natural history, or local history. Public museums with exhibits and interactive displays are popular tourist attractions. Many museums welcome millions of visitors from all over the world each year.
Museums have been around since ancient times. The very first known museum was Ennigaldi-Nanna's museum. For a long time, museums were private collections of interesting items. Later, they started focusing on teaching the public.
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What's in a Name? The Word "Museum"
The English word museum comes from Latin. It can be pluralized as museums or, less commonly, musea.
The word originally comes from the Ancient Greek word Μουσεῖον (mouseion). This meant a place or temple for the muses. In Greek mythology, the Muses were goddesses who inspired the arts. So, a mouseion was a building used for study and the arts. A famous one was the Musaeum in Alexandria. It was built around 280 BC under Ptolemy I Soter.
Why Do We Have Museums?
Modern museums have several important goals. They aim to collect, protect, explain, and display objects. These objects are important for art, culture, or science. They help us learn and understand the world.
For city leaders, active museums show a city's cultural and economic health. They can also help make a city's people more knowledgeable. Museum experts see museums as a way to teach the public about important ideas. These can include civil rights or environmentalism. Most importantly, museums are places where knowledge is stored. In 1829, James Smithson, who started the Smithsonian Institution, wanted to create a place "for the increase and diffusion of knowledge."
In the late 1800s, natural history museums showed a scientific desire to classify life. They wanted to understand the world. Their goal was to gather examples from every field of knowledge for research and display. As American colleges grew, they also built natural history collections for their students.
Today, research is not the main purpose of most museums. But many large museums, like the Smithsonian, are still important research centers. A key mission of museums is to protect and save cultural artifacts for future generations. A lot of effort and money goes into keeping old documents, artifacts, artworks, and buildings safe. Historian Steven Conn noted that "To see the thing itself, with one's own eyes... can be enchanting."
The goals of museums differ. Some focus more on education, others on saving objects. For example, in the 1970s, the Canada Science and Technology Museum focused on education. They showed how objects worked. One exhibit let visitors use an old printing press to make museum souvenirs.
Some museums want to reach a wide audience, like national museums. Others have specific audiences, like the LDS Church History Museum. Generally, museums collect important objects that fit their mission. They protect and display these items. Special care is taken with religious or holy objects. For example, Jewish objects with the name of God cannot be thrown away. They must be buried.
Most museums do not let you touch old artifacts. But some are interactive and encourage a hands-on approach. In 2009, Hampton Court Palace in England opened a council room to the public. They created replicas of 500-year-old objects and costumes. This helps visitors experience what Tudor life might have been like.
What is a Museum? Official Definitions
Major organizations around the world have defined what a museum is. They all agree on common ideas. These include serving the public good and taking care of, preserving, and explaining collections.
The International Council of Museums (ICOM) says: "A museum is a not-for-profit, permanent institution in the service of society that researches, collects, conserves, interprets and exhibits tangible and intangible heritage. Open to the public, accessible and inclusive, museums foster diversity and sustainability. They operate and communicate ethically, professionally and with the participation of communities, offering varied experiences for education, enjoyment, reflection and knowledge sharing." (Adopted in 2022).
The Canadian Museums Association says: "A museum is a non-profit, permanent establishment... open to the public... for the purpose of conserving, preserving, studying, interpreting, assembling and exhibiting... objects and specimens or educational and cultural value..."
The United Kingdom's Museums Association says: "Museums enable people to explore collections for inspiration, learning and enjoyment. They are institutions that collect, safeguard and make accessible artifacts and specimens, which they hold in trust for society."
A Brief History of Museums
Ancient Museums
One of the oldest known museums is Ennigaldi-Nanna's museum. Princess Ennigaldi built it in modern Iraq around 530 BC. It held artifacts from earlier Mesopotamian civilizations. A clay label found there, written in three languages, described a museum item.
Ancient Greeks and Romans collected art and objects. But their idea of a museum was different. Temples often housed collections of offerings. Paintings and sculptures were shown in gardens and public places. In ancient times, libraries and museums were often similar. They were frequently connected to temples or palaces.
The Museum of Alexandria is thought to be one of the earliest museums. It was linked to the Library of Alexandria. Royal palaces also acted as museums. Rulers displayed art and objects from conquered lands and gifts from other kingdoms. This allowed them to show off their collections to guests.
Around 285-246 BCE, Ptolemy II Philadelphus in Alexandria created the first zoological park. He used it to try and train African elephants for war. The elephants were also shown off with other animals. These included hartebeests, ostriches, zebras, leopards, giraffes, rhinoceros, and pythons.
Early Museums
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Early museums started as private collections. Wealthy people, families, or groups gathered art and rare natural objects. These were often shown in "wonder rooms" or cabinets of curiosities. These first museums appeared in Western Europe.
The public could sometimes visit these private collections. But it was up to the owner. Collecting curious objects helped elite men gain social status. Many items were new discoveries. By displaying their collections, they showed off their finds. They also used museums to organize new knowledge from travel and exploration.
One such collector was Ulisse Aldrovandi. He tried to gather as many objects and facts as possible. This was like the Roman philosopher Pliny. The idea was to collect all knowledge. But over time, this "encyclopedic" approach changed. Scholars of the 18th-century Age of Enlightenment preferred museums based on "organization and taxonomy."
The first "public" museums were often only for the middle and upper classes. It could be hard to get in. When the British Museum opened in 1759, people worried that crowds might damage artifacts. Visitors had to apply in writing. Only small groups were allowed in each day. But the British Museum became very popular in the 1800s. People of all ages and social classes visited, especially on holidays.
The Ashmolean Museum in Oxford, England, was founded in 1677. It started with the collection of Elias Ashmole. It was set up to be open to the public. Some consider it the first modern public museum. The collection included antique coins, books, geological specimens, and animal specimens. One famous item was the stuffed body of the last dodo seen in Europe. It opened on May 24, 1683.
In France, the Louvre in Paris was the first public museum. It opened in 1793 during the French Revolution. For the first time, everyone could freely see the former French royal art collections. Napoléon I later collected many art objects from conquered cities. After Napoleon's defeat in 1815, many treasures were returned. But his idea of a museum as a symbol of national pride greatly influenced Europe.
Chinese and Japanese visitors to Europe were fascinated by museums. But they found it hard to understand their purpose. Early 19th-century Chinese visitors named museums based on what they held. They called them "bone amassing buildings" or "courtyards of treasures." Japan first saw Western museums at Europe's World's Fairs in the 1860s. The British Museum was called a 'hakubutsukan', a 'house of extensive things'. This word later became the term for 'museum' in Japan and China.
Modern Museums
American museums joined European ones as leaders in creating new knowledge. The late 19th and early 20th centuries saw many new museums built. This time is called "The Museum Period." Many American museums focused on North American discoveries. But they also copied European museums, collecting items from ancient Egypt, Greece, Mesopotamia, and Rome.
Sociologist Tony Bennett suggested that modern 19th-century museums helped governments create good citizens. Museums, once private, became public. Objects, especially high culture items, helped manage society. Universities became the main centers for new research in the U.S. before World War II. Still, museums today add new knowledge and build collections for research and display.
In the late 1900s, there was much talk about returning religious, ethnic, and cultural artifacts. In the U.S., Native American groups asked for sacred objects and human remains to be returned. In 1990, Congress passed the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA). This law required federal institutions to return Native American "cultural items." Similarly, many European museums have objects taken during imperialism and colonization. Some experts criticize the British Museum for having ancient items from Egypt, Greece, and the Middle East.
How Museums Are Managed
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How a museum is managed depends on its size. A Board and a Director work together to set rules and standards. These rules are found in plans, ethics codes, and collections policies. The American Alliance of Museums (AAM) also has standards for museum management.
- Board of Trustees or Board of Directors – This group guides the museum. They make sure it is financially and ethically sound. They set policies and often help with fundraising. In small museums, the board might be more involved in daily tasks.
- Director – The director is the public face of the museum. They work closely with the board to lead the museum. They also work with staff to make sure everything runs smoothly. They need skills in managing people, budgets, and setting ethical standards.
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Many different jobs help a museum run. All staff work together for the museum's goals. Here are some common roles:
- Curator – Curators are the thinkers behind exhibits. They research the museum's collection and topics. They create exhibit themes and share their research. Large museums have curators for different areas, like transportation or art.
- Collections Management – These staff members are in charge of the physical care of objects. They handle moving and storing items. They also make sure collections are accessible and follow policy.
- Registrar – Registrars keep the main records of the collection. They make sure objects are properly recorded, insured, and loaned. They handle ethical and legal issues related to the collection.
- Educator – Museum educators teach visitors. They design tours and programs for kids and adults. They also train teachers and create learning materials. Educators work with other staff to make sure exhibits are fun and easy to understand.
- Exhibit Designer – These designers plan the look and setup of exhibits. They create the design and then build it in the physical space.
- Conservator – Conservators focus on restoring objects. They work to stabilize and repair artifacts. Their goal is to bring items back to an earlier, stable condition.
Other museum jobs include photographers, librarians, security staff, and gift shop managers. In smaller museums, staff often do many different jobs.
Protecting Museum Collections
Museums hold important cultural property. This property can be at risk from natural disasters, war, or other emergencies. It is important to protect these items. Organizations like UNESCO and Blue Shield International work to prevent damage or loss. They follow rules like the Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property.
Blue Shield has worked to protect museums and cultural items in conflicts. This includes missions in Egypt, Libya, Syria, Mali, and Iraq. They help prevent collections from being stolen.
Gallery - Museum Storage
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Archive Processing rooms provide a space for archivists to arrange and describe archival materials to make them accessible to researchers.
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Museum textile storage includes rolled storage racks, hanging wardrobe and garments shelving, and cabinets.
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Collections storage for three-dimensional historic artifacts.
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In museums, paintings, framed and unframed, are normally hung on sliding or fixed racking.
Planning a Museum
The way museums are designed has changed over time. Museum planning involves deciding what the museum's purpose will be. It also means planning the space where the collection will be kept.
Early museum planning ideas came from librarian John Cotton Dana. He wrote about starting the Newark Museum in the early 1900s. Dana suggested that new museums should ask the community what it needs. He believed museums should be planned to serve their community.
Museums are planned and designed differently based on their collections. But they all aim for spaces that are easy for the public to access. They also want to display artifacts clearly. John Cotton Dana disliked how old European museums were often outside cities and hard to reach.
Today, many museums try to be more accessible. They want their buildings, programs, and ideas to be open to everyone. One way they do this is with "open storage." Most museum collections are usually hidden away for safety. But open storage lets the public see items not on display. The Brooklyn Museum's Luce Center for American Art does this. This practice is part of a bigger discussion about how accessible museum objects should be.
Modern museums, especially interpretive ones, guide visitors through subjects. They use images, audio, video, and interactive exhibits. Planning a museum starts with a museum plan. This plan identifies the museum's goals and what it needs to achieve them.
Some museum experiences have few or no artifacts. They might not even call themselves museums. Examples include the Griffith Observatory in Los Angeles and the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia. These places tell strong stories or explain information. In contrast, the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C. uses many artifacts in its powerful exhibits.
Museums are designed in a specific way. But each person sees a collection differently. This is what makes museums so interesting.
How Museums Help Cities and Economies
In recent years, some cities use museums to help their economy grow. This is often true for cities that used to be industrial. For example, the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao was built in Bilbao, Spain. The local government wanted to improve the old port area. They paid $100 million for the museum. Many locals protested the cost. But in 2015, over 1.1 million people visited. Most visitors (63%) were from outside Spain, bringing money into Bilbao.
A similar project was the Titanic Belfast in Belfast, Northern Ireland. It was built on old shipyards for the same price. It opened for the 100th anniversary of the Titanic's first voyage. They expected 425,000 visitors a year. But in the first year, over 800,000 people visited. Almost 60% were from outside Northern Ireland.
Using museums to boost the economy can be debated. Some people protest these projects. If a museum is successful, like in Bilbao, protests often stop. But if a museum struggles, like the Taubman Museum of Art in Roanoke, Virginia, protests might continue. Some museum experts believe asking museums to solve economic problems is setting them up to fail.
How Museums Get Money
Museums often face money shortages. In the United States, museums get money from four main sources:
- Government support (24.4%)
- Private donations (36.5%)
- Money earned (like ticket sales or gift shops) (27.6%)
- Investment income (11.5%)
Government funding, like from the National Endowment for the Arts, has decreased. In 2016, an art museum spent about $55 per visitor. But it only earned about $8 per visitor from admissions, stores, and restaurants. Corporations can help fill this funding gap. Corporate giving to the arts was expected to increase in 2017.
Designing Exhibits
Most medium and large museums have staff who design exhibits. These teams include designers, architects, audio-visual experts, and writers. They plan how to best share a message or tell a story. The process is like building a house. It moves from ideas to detailed plans, then building and installing. Museums also hire outside companies to build exhibits.
Some museum experts wonder if museums even need physical objects anymore. Historian Steven Conn suggests that museums have fewer objects now. They are replaced by interactive technology. As educational programs grew, large collections became less important. This isn't necessarily bad. Dorothy Canfield Fisher noted that fewer objects let museums focus on a general view of a topic. The rest of the objects are stored for students who need to see them. This trend is clear in science museums like the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago. School children often visit these museums. They might learn more from hands-on technology than from just looking at an artifact.
Different Kinds of Museums
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There isn't one perfect way to group museums. The world of museums is very diverse. But it can be helpful to categorize them in different ways. Museums can vary in size. They can be large institutions or very small ones focusing on a specific topic. This could be a place, a person, or a time period. Museums also get money from different sources. These include governments, universities, towns, or private groups.
Sometimes, museums are grouped by how they show time.
- Diachronic museums show how a subject has changed over time. Examples include the Lower East Side Tenement Museum.
- Synchronic museums show how a subject existed at one specific point in time. Examples include the Anne Frank House.
Author Elaine Heumann Gurian suggests five types of museums based on their main goal: object-centered, narrative, client-centered, community-centered, and national.
Museums can also be grouped by the type of collections they display. These include:
- fine arts
- applied arts
- craft
- archaeology
- anthropology and ethnology
- biography
- history
- cultural history
- science
- technology
- children's museums
- natural history
- botanical and zoological gardens
Within these groups, many museums specialize further. For example, there are museums of modern art, folk art, or military history. A museum's collection size often determines its overall size. Many museums show a "permanent collection" of important objects. They may also have "special collections" on temporary display.
Major Museum Types
Here is a list of some major museum types:
- Agricultural
- Architecture
- Archaeological
- Art
- Design
- Biographical
- Children's
- Community
- Encyclopedic
- Folk
- Historic house
- Historic site
- Living history
- Local
- Maritime
- Medical
- Memorial
- Military
- Natural history
- Open-air
- Science
- Virtual
Museums Today: Challenges and Changes
Bringing Back Heritage (Decolonization)
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There's a growing movement to "decolonize" museums. People say that museums often tell only one side of a story. They might show biased views and leave out other important perspectives. When you see an object in a museum, remember that someone chose it to represent a certain idea.
A big example is the 2018 report on returning African cultural heritage. This report discussed how France and African countries are working to return artifacts taken illegally.
Since 1868, several large human figures called Moai were moved from Easter Island. They are now in major Western museums like the British Museum. The Rapa Nui of Easter Island see these figures as ancestors. They have asked for the Moai to be returned. Other examples include the Gweagal shield from Australia and the Parthenon Marbles from Greece. These items were taken long ago and are now in other countries' museums.
Laura Van Broekhoven, director of the Pitt Rivers Museum, said in 2020 that museums should show the rich diversity of cultures. They should not focus on just one way of seeing the world.
Fair Treatment for Museum Staff
In recent years, museum workers in the U.S. have started talking about fair labor practices. In 2019, workers at several museums voted to form unions. They wanted better pay and working conditions. Over 3,000 cultural workers shared their salaries online to show how much they earned.
Sometimes, museums have closed when workers tried to form unions. In Georgia (the country), some museum employees were fired in 2022. A new union said the firings were illegal and unfair. They believed the staff were punished for forming a union.
In the U.S., artists have fought for fair treatment for nearly a century. In 1971, staff at New York's Museum of Modern Art formed a union. This was the first union for professional employees at a private museum. They got better wages and protection against unfair firing.
Museums and the Environment
Museums are also responding to climate change. They are trying to be more sustainable in their practices. Many exhibitions now highlight environmental issues and how humans impact the planet.
Diversity and Inclusion
Besides returning cultural items, there's a push for museums to represent all communities. This includes groups that have been left out in the past. For example, Norma Gregory in England created the Black Miner's Museum. She also curated an exhibition called The Digging Deep Project Exhibition. This work helps tell stories from marginalized communities.
See also
In Spanish: Museo para niños
- Audio tour
- Category:Types of museums
- Cell phone tour
- Collective memory
- Computer Interchange of Museum Information
- International Museum Day (18 May)
- List of largest art museums
- List of most visited art museums
- List of most-visited museums by region
- Lists of museums
- .museum
- Museum education
- Museum fatigue
- Museum label
- Museum shop
- Science tourism
- Virtual Library museums pages
