A museum is a place of wonder, a place to enthrall, captivate, fascinate and illuminate. A place where ‘wow’s are whispered, ideas exchanged and lessons learned! But, what exactly is a museum? It is a complex question, and different museums have diverse answers. But most major professional organizations from around the world have some kind of definition for a museum, and a common theme is that museums are places that serve the public good through research, care and preservation of collections.
In this era of digital information, where facts are often disputed and opinions abound, museums play a critical role in our society as trusted sources of knowledge. Museums allow us to see how the world has changed over time, and the context for those changes, thereby enabling us to make more informed decisions about our own lives and futures.
Increasingly, museums are being seen as essential cultural and economic assets to cities, regions and even nations. In recent years, there has been a move toward using museums as catalysts for economic development and urban renewal (as evidenced by the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao). Museums have also been instrumental in defining regional identity, providing a sense of place and connecting visitors with the history and culture of their local communities (think of the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History in Washington DC, the National Museum of Anthropology in Mexico City or the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh).
While many people like to visit museum exhibits on their own, there is much to be gained from museum visits with kids. In fact, bringing children to museums can be one of the best ways to get them interested in learning. Children are naturally curious and ask lots of questions. When they visit a museum with their parents, they are given the opportunity to ask those questions in a safe environment without feeling embarrassed. This is an invaluable skill for their future success as adults.
One of the reasons that museums are such great places for families is that they can help children learn to be independent thinkers and to be proud of their own accomplishments. They can also gain a better understanding of the importance of being responsible for protecting our natural resources and heritage. They can learn that there are other cultures in the world and that the people in those cultures are just as important as their own.
When visiting a large museum, it can be tempting to focus your visit by picking a few galleries to visit based on your previous visits or personal interests. Instead, try to pick a gallery you haven’t visited before. Try to see something new each time you go, such as bronzes from Benin or textiles from Guatemala or 18th century American furniture. You might be surprised to find that you’re just as impressed by these other exhibits as the ones you’ve already seen. This will keep your visits fresh and inspiring, and will also help you to understand how diversity contributes to our rich cultural heritage.