My Day In NYC: Day 7 The New York Historical Society and The Museum of Natural History
Todays visit dealt with deep heritage in the state of New York as well as the art of historical interpretation. Though the study of history always appears as a constant and static (to the untrained eye), the interpretation for audiences has ebbed and flowed with changing tastes.
The New York Historical Society has clearly seen such a change in interpretation over the years. As our guide explained, the original space for the society was in keeping with 19th century architecture and display practices that were not well suited to modern tastes. The present architecture appears much more open and allows for a much better viewing experience.
The Objects Tell Stories exhibit did an excellent job of using a non-traditional approach to storytelling to connect with audiences. By sorting objects through different themes as childhood and sculpture through the lens of New York history, the audience gets a chance to view the objects in a different light as well as get a chance to understand differing themes in history. The addition of touch screens and interactive kiosks also create a sense of “living” history where the participants have the opportunity to interact with the artifacts, and even vote on what kinds of items the society should acquire next.
The Museum of Natural History was a more traditional institution that makes its mark as much with its dedication to new developments in the field as well as its dedication to the heritage of its exhibits. What I remembered most was that despite the age of the exhibits (some are older than most can remember)there is a strong urge to preserve the classic exhibits as historical reliquaries themselves. In the case of the dioramas, they preserve the older relationship between New Yorkers and their perception of nature.
It’s curious to think about visitors expectations as there is a great pull towards the contemporary as well as the familiar. There are merits towards each dynamic, but the common thread is presenting information in a way that resonates with people. Always keeping those thoughts in mind are what future museum professionals need to be aware of, because at the end of the day it doesn't greatly matter what kind of techniques you use to tell a story, just so long as you tell a story that means something to people.
Objects Tell Stories. 2018. New York Historical Society. Retrieved from https://archpaper.com/2017/04/nyhs-gallery-of-tiffany-lamps/#gallery-0-slide-5
African Elephants. 2018. The Natural History Museum. Retrieved from https://www.nycgo.com/museums-galleries/american-museum-of-natural-history
