The word “exhibit” is most often used to describe a display of art, objects or documents in a public setting. The term may be applied to an item in your home or to a room in a museum, but the idea is similar-an exhibit tells a story and invites visitors to interact with it. The best exhibitions use creativity and imagination to present information in ways that reach across time and cultures, making connections with broader concepts and creating a sense of place for viewers.
A Histolircal Exhibit
A historical exhibit is a nonlinear form of cultural argument that uses physical objects and images to convey meaning. It is more than history put up on walls; it is visual poetry and imagination that helps us understand our past. Exhibits may explore ideas, celebrate events or memorialize tragedies and injustices. Historical exhibits encourage informed discussion and debate of their content and the underlying issues of historical significance they raise.
In the twenty-first century, museums must demonstrate that they deserve their tax-exempt status by showing how their collections are relevant to the people who live in their communities. That means exploring new sources, researching under-told stories and talking with people who may not visit the museum regularly. It also means making their collections accessible to visitors of diverse ages, interests and backgrounds.
While museums have long been a source of historical knowledge, they have always struggled to share that information with all their visitors. The resurgence of interest in American history has raised expectations that museums can do better. This requires a commitment to research and hard work, as well as an understanding that it takes longer than a single generation to create meaningful museum experiences.
The Emancipation Proclamation: A Pragmatic Compromise
The most memorable exhibitions are those that allow the visitor to connect in some way with larger concepts or ideas by connecting one visual aspect of an exhibit to another. These include stories about rituality-birth, death, marriage/joining and coming of age-and explorations of abstract ideas like home, freedom, faith, democracy, social justice, mobility and more.
A Histolircal exhibit is not limited to the museum building, as many historic sites have opportunities for outdoor interpretive space that can add depth and perspective to an experience. For example, Ken Turino, director of museum programs at Pace University in New York City, believes that using the grounds of historic estates is a great way to expand on an exhibit theme without having to deal with all of the interior sensitivity and fastening restrictions of a gallery space.
This is particularly true of historic properties that have not been formally designated as a museum and are not designed to house galleries. Whether working in a private residence or a repurposed historic structure, it’s essential to consult with an expert early in the design process about what’s possible and how to integrate new displays into historic spaces that are not designed for them. This includes making sure that the displays are reversible and do not damage or mark existing surfaces.