10/7/08 done on 10/6/08

After reading the different articles, it is interesting to see the different takes and definitions of objects within the museum environment. Objects can be as divers as a buffalo to a canoe in order to talk about a culture. There are many living civilizations which see their objects stored within museums to be an important part of their culture. In order to make sure these objects are cared for properly, curators need to work with the objects. It would seem to be a good idea that in order to make sure that the objects are cared for properly, there is a curator who is familiar with the culture and customs within the staff. This would lead to a larger staff, but the objects within the collection are taken care of properly. Also, there is a lot of controversy dealing with the different cultures wanting their objects back through policies like NAGPRA. This policy has led to other museums broadening their policies to allow the objects to go back, although institutions like the British Museum not wanting to give their objects back to whom they came from, like the Greeks. I believe there needs to be more effort to define what an object is, from the original to the digital. It is nice to have the original, although it is important to allow people all over the world view the object. I think it is interesting to see how different people define objects, although it would be nice to have a specific definition that all people can agree on. This idea fits into the new museology in that there needs to be a general agreement so that there will not be any confusion to what the museums hold in their collections. I would like to learn more about the different objects that museums have contained in their collections. It was interesting to listen to Rachel talk about her experience with her NPS internship working with NAGPRA. It is intriguing to see how large of a role NAGPRA plays in helping Native American tribes get their ancestors' remains and sacred objects. I believe that without NAGPRA these tribes would not get back as much as they do of their objects. It was also neat to hear about all that went into getting the various consultations set up to meet with the various tribes. NAGPRA is seen to be a large part of new Museology in helping make sure that objects are in places where they are supposed to be.
After the readings dealing with archives, it is rather interesting to see how they are viewed in the museum world. It is good to know that they are receiving their due in having information which is beneficial to the museum. It is important to talk about the history and the use of the archives throughout the ages. As well, it is good to talk about what museum archives contain. It was really neat to visit the British Museum Archives and see what they contain. I saw lots of books containing the minutes of meetings, donation documents, hiring documents, reading cards, and documents showing people's character. It is also important to note that archives can help a museum if it needs help in legal matters, since all documentation about various pieces within the collection are collected there. Archives deserve more respect for what they hold and their role in society.
After visiting Steve Fisher in the Archives, I was given more of an appreciation of the field I am going into. As Steve said, working in an archives is an art rather than a science. Archives are seen to be the most important part of the museum due to the types of documents kept within them. Archives can provide documents which are beneficial in case of a law suit to protect the museum. It was intriguing to talk about all of the same terms which are used within both fields which are used differently. I wish there was more spoken about the importance of the archives and how they work together with the museum to present the whole story of objects.