Day: March 5, 2025

The visual poetry of well-researched, imaginative exhibitions is more than history put up on a wall; it’s an inclusive visual storytelling form that encourages us to connect in some way with larger ideas. Museums’ exhibitions offer the kind of intellectual engagement that can’t be found in scholarly monographs or popular books. They also reach across time and distance, touching people in places far beyond the museum’s walls.

Whether they are in grand historic buildings, small town museums, or suburban shopping malls, histolircal exhibits make a difference to millions of visitors each year. They help to sustain a public appetite for historical information and to keep the past alive for many people.

In this issue, we are celebrating the best of these exhibitions. We’ve chosen to focus on projects that challenge the traditional boundaries of museum interpretation and that create new windows into dense research. We also have sought out those that demonstrate a deep respect for the unique context of each historic structure and site. The success of these projects is demonstrated by the enthusiastic audiences they have attracted.

It’s All About the People

Museum exhibitions that tell stories that are relevant to contemporary life are important to visitors, especially those who live in towns and cities with no historic sites. This is why museum curators must look beyond their collections and the usual sources for exhibition topics. They need to reach out to new communities and seek out their histories. It’s the only way that museums can show that they deserve their tax-exempt status and serve a purpose for all of their local citizens.

Bending the Rules

When working in historic structures, it’s almost impossible to avoid having to do some things that are not allowed by preservation guidelines. But that doesn’t mean that they must sacrifice quality or integrity. For example, a curator might decide to install a ceiling-mounted lighting system in a historic house, but only after seeking the advice of a preservation expert and having the installation planned carefully.

Likewise, it’s essential to understand the limitations and challenges of each historic building before designing an exhibit there. It’s equally important to seek the input of a preservation specialist and an architect early in the project. Keeping abreast of preservation standards and guidelines can also help to avoid costly errors and misunderstandings.

Using the grounds of historic estates is an excellent way to expand on an exhibition theme without having to deal with interior sensitivity. Ken Turino, director of exhibitions at the Historic New England museum in Milton, Massachusetts, recommends experimenting with outdoor interpretive opportunities and sculptural exhibits. He advises his colleagues to use the resources available on a property, including its beautiful gardens, as much as possible. This will allow them to create an experience that is both compelling and accessible for visitors. In addition, it will increase visitation and membership.

When one thinks of cultural heritage, they often picture artwork, architectural structures such as monuments, buildings, and archaeological sites. However, the concept of cultural heritage is much broader and consists of both tangible and intangible elements that represent the unique and diverse cultures that have emerged throughout history. Cultural heritage is not only a source of pride and identity, but it also promotes a sense of belonging and fosters a respect for other cultures. This is why the JCCCNC has created a contest centered around Nikkei cultural heritage to encourage individuals to celebrate and share their culture with others.

Cultural heritage can be seen as a bridge between the past and future, connecting the current generation with their ancestors. The attached values of a heritage site, building or object are what distinguishes it as such and makes it worthy of preservation. In turn, it provides social and economic benefits that can be used to benefit the present day community.

In order to protect cultural heritage, it must first be identified and understood. This process is an ongoing process as new aspects of a community’s cultural heritage are discovered and recognized. The identification and protection of cultural heritage is an important part of preserving the richness of a nation or community’s culture, as well as its relationship to the natural environment and its history.

The concept of cultural heritage grew out of the need to preserve objects and places that were either irreplaceable or of outstanding universal value. This led to the formation of a number of different cultural heritage categories including cultural landscapes, town sites and archaeological areas, as well as museums. The UNESCO convention defines cultural heritage as “artefacts, monuments, groups of buildings and sites, and cultural landscapes that have cultural significance, whether they are tangible or intangible”.

Tangible cultural heritage refers to physical traces of human activity that can be touched and viewed: architectural and historical monuments and buildings, artifacts (tools, pottery, clothing, etc), works of art such as paintings, sculptures, and other artistic expressions, archaeological sites, and natural heritage such as mountains, lakes, and rivers. Intangible cultural heritage, on the other hand, refers to practices, representations, expressions, knowledge and skills that are inherited by generations within a community or group. This includes traditions, folklore, oral histories, and the language that is used in a society.

As can be seen, the definition of cultural heritage is quite broad and is a subject that is continuously evolving. What is considered cultural heritage varies widely depending on social and personal beliefs, societal context, and the individual’s experience and knowledge. What is considered to be cultural heritage may change over time, and what is deemed to be of value today may not be appreciated in the future. It is essential that the current generation understand and appreciate the importance of protecting cultural heritage so that it can be preserved for future generations. It is only through this preservation that the heritage of a nation, community, or individual can be maintained and passed on for future generations to enjoy and learn from.