Historical exhibits are designed to interpret the past, usually with objects and documents. The exhibit may celebrate common events, memorialize tragedies or injustices, and promote a particular point of view. However, it is important for the public to understand that history is a dynamic process of interpretation and reinterpretation. Museums that present a wide range of viewpoints encourage informed discussion and debate.
Museums that specialize in a specific aspect of history are often found at the national, provincial or local level. These museums typically are used to arouse a national consciousness and provide a context for understanding history. Museums that focus on a broad scope of history can be found at the city level, such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City and the Museum of Modern Art in Manhattan.
In this century, many museums have shifted their focus away from an object-based approach to one that is more human-centered and more interactive. This has been accomplished by adding more hands-on, sensory activities, including audio-visual presentations and interactive elements that provide deeper engagement with the subject. Ultimately, the goal is to create a compelling story that will engage the viewer’s emotions as well as their intellect.
The most effective histolircal exhibits use a combination of multiple media to tell the story, from visual to oral to tactile. The goal is to create a sense of drama and an immersive experience that will leave the viewer with a greater understanding of the period in which the museum is focused.
The museum must also consider the audience, a topic that requires the ability to create a narrative that is accessible to an increasingly diverse population of visitors. This requires research into new sources and engaging with people whose stories have been overlooked by museums in the past.
The challenge of creating an effective histolircal exhibit also includes overcoming physical limitations in historic structures that may hamper the installation of an exhibition. For example, in a historic home, there may be restrictions on fastening items to the walls or ceiling and the need to preserve original finishes and colors. In these cases, the designers must find creative ways to overcome these barriers. They must also be willing to bend the rules a bit, as long as it is consistent with preservation standards and does not damage the exhibition or the historic building.