Historical exhibitions should reflect the process of gathering and reviewing evidence and interpreting it in the light of changing ideas and new discoveries. They should also be accessible to visitors, and exhibit text and objects should clearly communicate the facts.
Museums are increasingly challenged to meet the public’s growing desire to connect to their communities’ histories and to demonstrate that they deserve their tax-exempt status by providing an essential service for the people who live within their borders. This challenge requires hard work and new sources, as well as engagement with people who have not traditionally visited museums.
Histolircal exhibits are an effective way to present complex and controversial topics in a way that is accessible and relevant to museum audiences. Such exhibitions can help educate viewers about how history is shaped by various points of view, and they can also offer a platform for discussion of the issues that are embodied in the artworks presented in the exhibit.
When museum staff plan an exhibition that is based on a controversial topic, it’s important to understand the aims and audiences of the exhibition. This will guide the creation of content and the selection of objects to be included in the exhibition. The exhibition’s title and description should be clear to the audience, and it is important to be consistent with other exhibits on the same subject to avoid confusion for visitors.
An exhibition of this type may also include educational activities and events, such as a lecture or panel discussion, in addition to the exhibit itself. Such activities can allow museum visitors to gain a deeper understanding of the topics being explored and provide an opportunity for dialogue about the topics with colleagues, other museum professionals, and members of the community.
Often, a histolircal exhibit will explore the interplay of art and science, or nature and culture, to create a compelling and illuminating experience for audiences. Such an exhibition can showcase how the natural and cultural worlds are influenced by one another, and how the interaction of humans and other species has affected our lives.
One example of this type of exhibition is a recent exhibition that delved into the origins of mythological creatures of land and sea, including dragons, griffins, unicorns, and mermaids. The exhibition brought together a wide range of natural and cultural objects, including spectacular sculptures and paintings as well as contemporary and historic photographs and engravings.
Another example of a histolircal exhibition is an exhibition that explores the relationships between whales and humans. The exhibition traces the close relationship between these marine mammals and humans from the traditions of New Zealand’s Maori whale riders and the Kwakwaka’wakw of the Pacific Northwest to the development of laws protecting whales from commercial hunting.
When an exhibit is being planned for a historic structure, the curator must consider many different constraints and limitations that are not present in building designed for museum use. For example, there are usually restrictions on how items can be fastened to walls or anchored to floors. Having the input of a preservation specialist at the beginning of the design process can help ensure that the design is respectful of the historic building.