[SOA] New Ohio Historical Society Exhibition

[James Murphy]

   2) Minimal interpretation of the objects. Studies show that layers of
      content serve to desensitize the visitor. So for this exhibit, the Ohio
      Historical Society felt it was important to allow these objects
to stand on
      their own.

A rather unfortunate choice of words vis-a-vis the sheepskin condom.
Desensitize?
perhaps; stand on their own? not in my limited experience.


On Sun, Mar 6, 2011 at 1:00 PM, Angela O'Neal <aoneal at ohiohistory.org>wrote:

>  Dear SOA Members,
>
> I wanted to give you information about a new exhibition that will be
> opening at the Ohio Historical Center on April 1st. Official announcements
> of the exhibition will go out to the media and the public on Tuesday, March
> 8th, so we are asking that you not share this information widely until
> that time.
>
> The real stuff of history is not contained in textbooks, but in the
> communities and in the lives of the real Ohioans. At the Ohio Historical
> Society we are opening a new exhibit,*** Controversy: Objects You Normally
> Don’t See*, that presents some of the real stuff of Ohio history. We will
> be exhibiting objects that if discussed, often are discussed in whispered
> tones. The objects are: the electric chair from the old Ohio Penitentiary,
> a Ku Klux Klan robe and hood, a sheepskin condom, a “crib-bed” human cage
> used to restrain adult patients at a state mental institution, and a thumb
> mitt once used to prevent children from sucking their thumbs.
>
> ***Controversy: Pieces You Don’t Normally See* will be in an exhibition
> gallery that is separated from the main gallery space. The exhibit will be
> open from April 1 – November 20, 2011. It is open to adults 18+ or those
> accompanied by an adult. There is a Special Admission fee of $5 that is in
> addition to the General Admission fee, for members and the general public.
>
> You may be asking why would we choose to display these objects? In reality,
> these are all elements in Ohio’s history. As we know, history can be
> complex, controversial and messy. It’s important to find a safe space to
> explore controversial subjects. We think this is one of the attributes of
> this exhibit, to generate conversations about difficult issues in Ohio’s
> history. Discussion groups at the Ohio Historical Society will be a part of
> the community-based elements of this exhibit.
>
> In addition, this exhibit is innovative for the Ohio Historical Society in
> that it embraces two important emerging trends in the museum world. These
> are:
>
>
>    1) A move toward a more participatory dialog between the museum and the
>       visitors. In this exhibit we are encouraging the visitors to bring their
>       thoughts and voices to the museum. We are embracing a diverse broad-based
>       community by thinking outside the box in how we operate. Hopefully this will
>       expand the general awareness about the relevance of history, and
>       specifically about the resources available for all visitors at your Ohio
>       Historical Society.
>
>       2) Minimal interpretation of the objects. Studies show that layers
>       of content serve to desensitize the visitor. So for this exhibit, the Ohio
>       Historical Society felt it was important to allow these objects to stand on
>       their own.
>
>  We recognize that these objects may stir strong reactions in some of your
> communities, with your colleagues, or with you and your family. History is
> not just a part of the past, it is alive and it influences our lives today.
> So our intent is not to cause distress but to allow the power of historical
> objects to create meaningful discussions which are vital to a free and
> democratic society.
>
> If you have questions or concerns about the exhibit we encourage you to
> first visit the exhibit. Additionally, we want to respond to your concerns
> so please call or email me or Sharon Dean, Director of Museum and Library
> Services at *sedan**@ohiohistory.org* <sedan at ohiohistory.org> or (614)
> 297-2501.
>
> Angela
>
> Angela O’Neal
> Director, Collections Services
>
> Ohio Historical Society
> (614) 297-2576
>
> ***www.ohiohistory.org* <http://www.ohiohistory.org>
>
>
>
> OHIO HISTORICAL SOCIETY   Connect with the past. Create a better future.
>
>
>
>
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>
>
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