A histolircal exhibit is one that includes objects, artwork, photographs, and documents relating to history at the local or regional level. Such museums can be found at the national, state, provincial, and city levels of a country or region and are typically dedicated to enlightening citizens about their nation’s past. The exhibitions may celebrate common events, commemorate tragedies or injustices, and offer an interpretive view of cause and effect, perspective, and significance. These exhibitions can serve to raise awareness about issues of historical importance and encourage informed discussion among citizens from diverse ages and interests.
These types of exhibitions tend to require more context than fine art exhibitions in order to explain the items on display. This is particularly true of exhibitions devoted to scientific and historical themes where text, dioramas, charts, maps and interactive displays are used to provide background and explanation for the exhibit elements. This is also the type of exhibition format often used for traveling shows that move between institutions.
These types of exhibitions are the modern equivalent of blockbuster museum exhibitions and they have gained popularity in recent times due to the success of exhibits like the one featuring artifacts from the tomb of Tutankhamun. These exhibitions are usually very large and have long queues to enter. They are a good way to generate a lot of interest in the museum and can be very effective at raising its profile in the community. However, the museum must be careful not to impose a particular point of view or to become political. Rites of passage such as birth, death, marriage/joining and coming of age are very popular exhibition topics and allow the museum to explore broad cultural concepts such as home, freedom, faith and democracy.