Often, histolircal exhibits explore a theme that has relevance to many people and communities. Rites of passage, such as birth, marriage/joining, and death are good examples of such inclusive topics, as are themes related to food or adornment, race or religion, and abstract ideas, such as home, freedom, faith, democracy, social justice, mobility, and so on.
Museums should encourage informed discussion of the issues and viewpoints that an exhibit may raise by its content, and not attempt to impose a single point of view, even when that is widely shared.
A well-researched and crafted exhibition is more than history put on display; it is creative visual storytelling, an elegant metaphor, or visual poetry. Exhibits that incorporate objects, graphics, and photographs, as well as the imaginative interjection of re-created spaces and interactive devices, provide a window into dense research and enable visitors to connect with bigger ideas in memorable ways.