Whether they show paintings of heroic warriors, the bones of long extinct animals, or photographs of unimaginable landscapes, museums bring the past to life for us. They are links to the worlds of other civilizations and, in many cases, to treasured works that were lost or covered up by development or war. Museums are a source of inspiration for our own creative endeavors. They give us a sense of the beauty and strangeness of the world, and of the greatness and variety of human culture.
Historically, the main function of museums revolved around collecting, preserving and researching objects. However, in the last 50 years there has been a shift to a greater emphasis on exhibitions, learning and audience engagement. As a result, new kinds of museums have developed and the field continues to expand.
In ancient times, the word “museum” (in Greek mouseion) referred to a temple or place of worship for the Muses. The Romans used the term to refer to a college of scholars or a place for philosophical discussion. In the 16th century, the term was adopted by Europe and applied to collections of art and natural history. Often, the museums of this period were large castles or palaces that were built to house the collections of noble families.
The French Revolution of 1789 provided a dramatic turning point in the history of museums. It was during this time that the Louvre was transformed from a royal palace into a public museum. This museum became a symbol of the new revolutionary spirit. The revolution also encouraged the establishment of other museums throughout Europe.
As the museums of this era evolved, they began to be organized and run more professionally. This development was aided by the formation of professional associations and university-based departments for museum education and research. The apprenticeship method of training for museum professionals also shifted to include more formal coursework and a greater emphasis on theory.
In the 19th and 20th centuries, museums continued to grow in number and scope. National museums of popular arts and traditions started to appear, with many taking the form of open-air museum buildings. Meanwhile, a new form of museum emerged, one that was focused on collecting and documenting various material aspects of contemporary society.
Modern museums are often massive institutions, covering entire city blocks and housing thousands of objects. In addition, they tend to be organized by subject or discipline rather than building, although there are exceptions. These include the American Museum of Natural History, which is an enormous building that consists of 25 interconnected buildings and is dedicated to the study of all natural objects, animal, vegetable and mineral. Some museums are even devoted to specific types of experiences, such as the Griffith Observatory in Los Angeles or the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, and these may have few or no artifacts at all. Instead, these museums focus on telling a compelling story or providing information in an engaging way.
