MUSEUMS AND WHAT THEY SHOULD AIM TO BE. By James W. Swinnich, Executive Director of the National Soaring Museum, Elmira, NY, USA.
"A good Museum attracts, entertains, arouses curiosity, leads to questioning, and thus promotes learning. It is an educational institution that is set up and kept in motion...." So said John Cotton Dana ( founder of the Newark Museum) in 1909, back when museums in this country were in their infancy. This standard remains. The National Soaring Museum is confronted in this regard by both international and nation-wide constituencies and local audiences. In addition, our programs must engage the Soaring Community and a culturally diverse general public with little or no understanding of motorless flight. The challenge presented by this myriad of audiences, each with their own knowledge base, expectations and needs, is most evident on the NSM exhibit floor.
A quick critique of the current exhibition area reveals two significant shortcomings. First, the displays are not connected. The subject matter is relevant enough, but there are no scientific or historical connections made for the visitor. If you are a member of the soaring community, you bring a framework of experience and intellect to your visit. Your previous learning allows you to place a particular display within an existing context, you probably are aware of vital issues left un-addressed. But if this is your first exposure to motorless flight, the exhibits might not answer critical questions about soaring.
The second problem is a lack of a traffic pattern or flow through the exhibit spaces. This contributes to any confusion people may have regarding what stories the museum is trying to tell or what lessons we are attempting to teach. People feel frustrated by "trying to make sense of it all".
A concise, comprehensive exhibition addressing the history of soaring in a scientific and technological continuum is critical to providing the visitor with a basis of understanding other exhibits and programs. Exactly what objects should be placed on display to tell the story, what is the story, what subject matter should be incorporated, what type of design principles are utilised, what communications technologies implemented and what type of traffic pattern will be conducive to learning and use space effectively? All these questions are up for debate.
What we do know is that the exhibition area is really the "first face" audiences usually see of museum interpretation and programming. It is here that judgement begins. Exhibits too, are the primary vehicles to showcase the object collection. These are the basics, the known. What the NSM will do in the near future is answer the questions above, do some self-assessment of the exhibits' program, and evaluate what our various constituencies need and want from the museum. For example, the exhibits should reflect the cultural diversity represented both in the origins of motorless flight and of our audiences. Of equal importance is modern soaring, including what is taking place at soaring clubs. in competition, and with the vintage sailplanes aloft. What we have planned for the future is a comprehensive exhibition that "attracts, entertains, arouses curiosity, questioning and promotes learning". as Mr Dana professed doing so many years ago.
(This article was sent us by Justin Wills in New Zealand. We
are thankful to have received it. C.W.)
A little while ago your Editor wrote to a number of prominent
gliding personalities in several different countries asking them
to record their first flights or their earliest gliding memories.
Jörg has been the first to respond and we hope this will
encourage the others to follow suit.