The Soul Of A Museum Research Paper

The soul of a museum is the essence of identity by which it is defined; it is that which makes a museum a museum. The museum has identifiable requisites without which it would not be a museum. By using creative methods of exhibition, interpretation, and education as well as effective methods of collection and conservation, the museum becomes an integral aspect and a valuable resource in society. There are unique distinctions between the museum and other cultural institutions. Although the basic requirements of the definition of the museum have remained predominantly unaltered in modern history, the role of the museum in society has changed. Museums unite in purpose through their characteristics and features, are different from other cultural

Museums unite in purpose by way of the collection of objects, the preservation of those objects, the exhibitions, the research, and the education, all in an effort to serve the public good. The International Council of Museums defines a museum as "... a non-profit, permanent institution in the service of society and its development, open to the public, which acquires, conserves, researches, communicates and exhibits the tangible and intangible heritage of humanity and its environment for the purposes of education, study and enjoyment." Frequently, many museums will echo this definition within their mission statement. For example, even a specialty museum such as the National Civil Rights Museum will make use of portions of that definition in their mission statement:

The National Civil Rights Museum, located at the Lorraine Motel, the assassination site of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., chronicles key episodes of the American civil rights movement and the legacy of this movement to inspire participation in civil and human rights efforts globally, through our collections, exhibitions, and educational

New types of museums are being born to meet new challenges. The children's museum is one example. It provides the opportunity for children to interact with the world and learn with hands on exhibits. Another example is the open air history museum. This type of museum affords visitors the opportunity to travel through time and experience life as it once was through living, interactive exhibits that provide a full immersion experience. Traveling exhibits expand the museum's opportunities to provide new material and up to date topics of interest and importance. Collecting, preserving, researching, interpreting, exhibiting, and educating are the methods employed by the museum to fulfill the objectives it has set forth in the mission statement. The vision of the Smithsonian Institution well states this case, "Shaping the future by preserving our heritage, discovering new knowledge, and sharing our resources with the world." The modern museum is proving it has the ability to redefine the role it plays in society. It is proving it can effectively, efficiently, and creatively meet the responsibilities and challenges presented by a changing