Martin Lewis’ Post

Now available for pre-order: "Interpreting Christmas at Museums and Historic Sites," edited by Max van Balgooy and Ken Turnio, and published by Rowman & Littlefield for AASLH. I wrote a chapter for the book, "Not Everyone Celebrates Christmas: Expanding Your Holiday Horizons," which discusses not only Hanukkah, but other faith traditions as well as Christian faith traditions that do not celebrate Christmas as it has come to be observed in the U.S. and Canada. From the back of the book: "Interpreting Christmas at Museums and Historic Sites offers a wide range of perspectives on Christmas and practical guidance for planning, research, interpretation, and programming by board members, staff, and volunteers involved in the management, research, and interpretation at house museums, historic sites, history museums, and historical societies across the United States. Packed with fresh ideas and approaches by nearly two dozen scholars and leaders in this specialized topic, as well as Hanukkah and Kwanzaa, they can easily be adapted for the unique needs of organizations of various budgets and capacities. An extensive bibliography of books and articles published in the last twenty years provides additional resources for research and exploration." https://lnkd.in/enAwe5S7

We can be pleased that the Danish Centre for Museum Research 's op-ed "New reform overlooks that museums house much more than physical collections" on May 23, 2024, became the fourth most-read article under culture on Altinget in 2024. Altinget is a politically independent Danish online newspaper that focuses on Danish politics. Founded in January 2000, it has grown to become one of the largest news platforms covering political affairs in Denmark, with a significant editorial staff based at Christiansborg, the seat of the Danish Parliament. The op-ed was a response to the proposal for a new Danish museum reform, which was passed by the Danish Parliament this week. The reform, which had been long-awaited, was finally approved with unanimous support in the parliamentary chamber. This new legislation will provide a permanent annual increase of 75 million Danish kroner to the 95 state-recognized museums starting from 2025. See here if you can access it and read Danish: https://lnkd.in/eU5Zyc2A

My latest blog post for the Museum of the Order of St John for Explore Your Archive is now available! Follow the link below to find out the who, what, when, where, and why of the St John Archive. https://lnkd.in/eqNHK9xE #ExploreYourArchive #EYAYourArchive

Everyone thinks history is boring... I'm a historian, but sometimes I think the same way. When you walk through the 7th floor of the museum, where each room is simply full of exhibits, they are all different, have their own characteristics and you still need to read about all of them, then the head is spinning even when you’re interested in it. Of course, you can take a tour, where you will be told about everything and also try to do it interactively, but there are no less exhibits from it. The best museums in the world receive hundreds of visitors a day, but only a few people will remember some of these millions of facts. I will tell you about the experience of the museum in London. When I got to the British museum, which I heard about many times during my studies, I expected something incredible: majestic exhibits, interesting stories and a lot of insights. In reality: a bunch of tourists around the Rosetta stone, too many halls to bypass them in a day, the texts which are unrealistic to reach. You can throw stones at me, but everyone came there to take some good photos and put a tick on their travel list, none of these people think about the history and exploration of the world. In the end, the best was a souvenir shop, where there was a lot of interesting historical literature. For me, this system of museums does not work. They should not be associated with boring and long, but with interesting and informative. Therefore, this is what public history should do: make sure that when you leave the museum you have a clear understanding of what you learned there. I hope that Ukraine will be able to choose its own path and make its own history interesting for everyone.

#SAAwords: archival curation n. ~ activities related to appraisal, exhibition, and overall access that ensure the archival institution holding the records honors the expectations of the creators https://lnkd.in/giHiHBFs

Important declaration on the protection of archives, libraries, museums and heritage places during armed conflicts and political instability:

Today we acknowledge Te Pūtake o te Riri, He Rā Maumahara - our national day of remembrance of the New Zealand Wars. As part of our commitment to deeper conversations around these pivotal moments in our history, we have recently opened our newly refreshed gallery, Atarau: Stories of the New Zealand Wars.  The Museum will also be illuminated in pounamu green tonight.    The word atarau means many things. In te reo Maori 'ata' means shadow, early dawn, shape or reflection. While 'rau' can mean many, forever, a beat or rhythm. Those multiple meanings are a metaphor for history. When painful histories are brought out of the shadows and into the light, they can be better understood.  Featuring taonga, contemporary artworks, and diverse perspectives, Atarau offers visitors insight into the circumstances, people, and events of the wars, and reflects on the experiences of those involved. This interim display is the first step in a larger program aimed at enhancing public knowledge and understanding about these pivotal stories.  Visit Atarau: Stories of the New Zealand Wars to connect with stories that continue to shape our society, now open on Level 2. Free with Museum Entry.    

Explore the ethereal realms of Bunmi Agusto's "Lands of the Living" exhibition, where personal and cultural identities merge into vivid narratives of introspection and fantasy. Check out this interview with our contributing writer Zeiad Shamoun. #UNSDGs

My first Lunch Time Curator talk focus’ on one of our oldest and most enigmatic objects. One that despite its importance has never actually been accessioned into the collections (something i aim to correct). As time has gone on I’ve seen a loss of specialist knowledge and subject specialist curators in museums, which is a very worrying trend. It’s a credit to Heritage Doncaster and the City of Doncaster Council that in a recent restructure it chose to maintain those specialist curatorial roles it still had. Though it is sad that there are collections for which we don’t have curators, notably Natural History. Without subject specialist curators collections risk becoming fossilised and museums risk, over time engaging the public, with out of date and even inaccurate interpretation and information. The Curator Talks and Lunchtime Talks provide a reason for me to undertake important collections research and provide an outlet for it. Long may it continue and grow. The public appetite for these curator led engagements is demonstrable, even though we’re not yet a year into having begun them. Let’s hope the appetite for them grows.

When writing a news story, I imagine it’s hard to strike the right balance between making it compelling and including the right amount of detail. However, this piece in the Guardian from a week or so ago leaves a big part of the puzzle out. The British Museum holds sacred items looted from Ethiopia by British soldiers. While that institution possessing items stolen as part of our glorious imperial past isn’t news, these items aren’t even on display, and never have been. There is naturally a campaign for their return. A not-for-profit group made an FOI request for internal discussions about the matter which was refused at the first request and on internal review. The Guardian’s report is about the fact that Returning Heritage is now appealing to the Commissioner. Given the context and the fact that the British Museum isn’t a government department, it seems highly likely that they used S36, the exemption that covers the free and frank exchange of advice and views. Even though I think the Museum should return items to anywhere that wants them back, I don’t think it would be inappropriate for them to use this exemption. My complaint – and this is common to a lot of reporting on FOI questions – is that nowhere does it say what they’re relying on. I don’t expect section numbers, but the journalist has got quotes from the organisation, so it seems odd to not even refer to it. Assuming the Museum doesn’t fold, at some point in the future there will be a decision notice that will shed some light on the issues, but until then, reporting like this forces you to guess. https://lnkd.in/edSvBA5N