How and why it was derived, and what it is.
- What the Museum is supposed to house.
- The term OF OR ABOUT
- Here is about -vs- Here is
- The Imperial Russian Collection & a Special Status Collection
- Other Collections and Displays - Preserve and Protect
- The Transient Area of the Museum - why we have it.
- Summary
What the Museum is supposed to house.In keeping with the scope of the organization as described previously, the core of the Museum's collection is of or about Imperial Russia. For example if there is a newspaper article about imperial Russia that was printed last week, this organization would like to have it in the collection, and likewise with a loose button from a uniform, or a post card once long ago sent to New Zealand. All are every day items, all are clues for Imperial Russia. The glitz and glitter of Imperial Russia really does belong in Russia - no matter what regime is in charge there. Here this Museum concerns itself with everyday items that give us clues and insight to Imperial Russia.
The term OF OR ABOUT
Explanation and ExampleThe Explanation is:
"Of Imperial Russia (meaning from Imperial Russia ) or About Imperial Russia" (meaning the subject of Imperial Russia ).
An Example is:
A post card printed in Imperial Russia is "Of Imperial Russia"
A post card with the image of something Russian - say a town or monument, but printed outside Russia - say France, is "About Imperial Russia".
Here is about -vs- Here is
In a History Museum, the key words are: Here is about, and Here is.
The Museum chose a
direction with a latitude to convey about and to show by artifact or example
that is purposely
open. |
Having the genuine article is ideal but not always workable in terms
of costs or just plain finding one. A reproduction is acceptable, and a direct copy is as well,
when both are used and displayed in context. And by that light, a known fake has value as
well. If you think about it, learning about and finding a famous fake is kind of fun.
All are
acceptable here as we all can learn from them.
- A Museum can tell you about anything as having the actual item is un-necessary and telling can be done with a picture and some text. This is Here is about.
- A Museum can tell you about something with a stand-in that is not the object. This is Here is about.
- A Museum can tell you about something with the item there in front of you. This is Here is.
ALL MUSEUMS MUST INFORM THE VISITOR THE STATUS OF AN ITEM.
Is it HERE IS, or is it HERE IS ABOUT?The Museums Philosophy is that the status of an item is to be indicated.
The Imperial Russian Collection & a Special Status Collection
The timeline of Russian history - when we look at it initially seems to be broken into segments, but for the people who actually lived during adjacent segments, the break isn't seamless, but it all belongs together. It is difficult working within the Museum to segment the Imperial Era, The First War, The Russian Revolution, The Civil War/AEF time, and The Soviet Era. They really do connect solidly. One photographic collection in the Museum covers all these periods of time. The Men -Soldiers all (most) lived through the above mentioned segments as evidenced in the photographic record of their reunions. The question is where do they belong in the Museum?
The Museum has chosen to segregate the Imperial Russian Section from all other collections and displays. There are times this seems illogical but the rule stands firm out of respect for the years of effort and out of respect for the subject.
And besides there is one tiny Russian Lady who would kill us if we let the Soviets into the Imperial Russian section - last time was bad enough.
As for our Soldiers who lived through one of the most turbulent times in Russian history - They are their own unique collection. This particular collection's individual photographs will be included when and where they apply in the efforts at the Museum. Eventually some one will drop by and help us with the handwriting on the backs and at that time we can restore the names to the faces.
Other Collections and Displays - Preserve and ProtectWhile the core of the museums collection is 'Imperial Russia", many other things relating to a broad variety of subjects form other collections within the Museum.
An unexpected box sent from NYC the day after 911, is an example.
The hopes were that the Museum would keep the content intact and some day tell of not only what the content represents, but how and why the box was sent out of the city to ensure future generations could learn from the box.
In hind site the box and its content were so out of the scope of the Museum that the keeping the box just didn't make much sense, so after repairing the wooden structure of the box and replacing its inner lining, it was tucked away and nearly forgotten. Two years later it became apparent that the content and the box and its story were in fact fitting if not most appropriate in the Museums collections.
The museum at that point became committed to preserve and protect that which came into its care.
This first example is but one of a number of such things entrusted to the Museum for the future.
became obvious - some part
of the Museum would be required to remain transient for any history
subject the Museum could create a display to "tell or explain".
And perhaps present the out of the text book, out of favor history
which is not being taught in the schools.