17 Mar
2022
17 Mar
'22
1:22 p.m.
On 3/17/22 14:19, Ethan O'Toole via cctalk wrote:
The definition of "museum" is something that is bandied about quite a
bit in museum circles, believe it or not. There is no
universally-accepted definition. But when standing in someone's garage,
basement, storage locker, etc, one can usually make a call that nobody
would argue with.
?In LSSM's
case, it's a wholly-occupied 14,000 square foot commercial
storefront building that nobody lives in, in a downtown shopping
district, as distinguished from the typical private collection in a
garage, basement, etc.
Right, I know you have a real building and are open to the public and
operate what I would consider a real museum. But where does one define a
museum when it comes to randos, the small shops, the people just
collecting donations for the price break, etc. Someone I know has a museum, collects stuff, no
business entity for it,
and it doesn't usually see the light of day. He says he plans to open a
museum someday, but he has no real business plan AFAIK. He does have
some stuff on display at another museum though.
I would posit that he does not have a museum; he has a collection and
a wish. When and if that wish pans out, and I hope it does, then he
will have a museum. But not before.
It CAN happen. For decades I had a collection and a wish. Now
there's a museum that showcases part of that collection, and parts of
others' collections, and things of its own. It's not easy to do, but it
is possible. Encourage your friend!
-Dave
--
Dave McGuire, AK4HZ
New Kensington, PA