Hatefull Rant.

[cap tassel]

Re: Hatefull Rant.

The new storyline will short change the entire experience, unfortunately. It's not hard to guess which display of "artifacts" will be the largest in the new center.

I agree. It seems parts of the story told by the keepers of the relics don't aid their fashionable tastes of history.

Even if they do make extra exhibits it really makes you wonder. I'd like to hear from them what their reasoning is but if that "appealing" quote gives a hint then it smells like political correctness. Please tell me they didn't do a survey of school kids to determine what will be shown and what won't.

[Stonewall_Greyfox]

Re: Hatefull Rant.

I agree. It seems parts of the story told by the keepers of the relics don't aid their fashionable tastes of history.

Even if they do make extra exhibits it really makes you wonder. I'd like to hear from them what their reasoning is but if that "appealing" quote gives a hint then it smells like political correctness. Please tell me they didn't do a survey of school kids to determine what will be shown and what won't.

Have yall ever been to the GNMP Museum? With exception to their awesome display of Artillery pieces and Firearms, it's not as though their current exhibits warrant any rewards. As noted earlier, this new Museum should be expanding the display from around 6% to 20% of their collection...as commented on by other individuals in the "business" this is a feat in itself.

Mods: I recommend this thread be closed as it no longer seems to be within the scope of this forum.

Paul B.

[Vicksburg Dave]

Re: Hatefull Rant.

"Mods: I recommend this thread be closed as it no longer seems to be within the scope of this forum."

I agree. The post that started it all was based on a paranoid misreading of a college newspaper article.

[CSchneider]

Re: Hatefull Rant.

Fellas,

The old Gettysburg VC was great...for people like us. I loved looking at piles of artifacts, mostly because I already had a good idea of the general themes of the Civil War and history of the battle, and well, I like to look at old stuff. That museum is about as close to an uninterpreted curio cabinet as you can get, however. Walls of guns and uniforms might be a draw for some people, but for much of the general public, it really doesn't provide any substantial information. The new museum rightfully will reserve much space to the interpretation of the war, and while I do have some concerns as to exactly how it will be done, I am happy that the public will have something more than a wall of guns to look at. Some of those pieces may be disappearing from view, but all of you guys who want to see them are certainly welcome to call the curator, make an appointment, put on some gloves, and fondle them to your heart's content. I’ve always found that much more satisfying than looking through glass anyway.

-Craig Schneider

[LWhite64]

Re: Hatefull Rant.

Wello if you want to see 19th Century military firearms you dont need to go to Gettysburg, you need to go to Chickamauga. The Fuller Gun collection is the largest of its kind anywhere, including many pieces that you wont see at G-burg. Over 350 total and all on display.

Lee

[Justin Runyon]

Re: Hatefull Rant.

I was at work all night so I missed this thread as it panned out. As someone who has done a little academic work in this area (I have a certification in public history) I doubt seriously that the "not appealing" line has anything to do with Political Correctness and see it as a bit of paranoia to think it does. The trend in museology today is to be dynamic, exciting, etc. One of the big time museum and exhibit cencept companies today was started by a group of folks that worked for Disney. They got tired of creating all this stuff for nothing and wanted their work to mean a little something more.

The bottom line is this: Museums are fighting a battle for admission dollars from an entirely new generation. These people do not want to see row upon row of glass cases filled with old wool clothes &c. No matter how much we like that sort of thing, it's not good for business, and without admission dollars, the rest of us are not going to see anything. Case in point, I can not take my fiance' to a museum that folks like us get all hot and bothered over...I just plain don't get to go until I go back alone. On the other hand, she heard about National Geographics traveling exhibition on the slave ship turned pirate ship the Whydah and was interested in going. Seizing the chance, Bill Young and I grabbed the ladies and drove to Cincinnatti. The exhibition was very modern, exciting, multi media based, plenty of stuff going on to keep the attention of Gen. Y. At the same time, there was a lot to learn, information presented in a way that personalized the human stories, and a ton of artifacts. What's not to love.

Even though rows of dusty cases still gets me going, Bottom line is that this is the changing face of Museology...try it, you might like it.