Well, I have been keeping busy lately!

I'm working on scanning some family photographs from my husband's grandmother's house.

I am also still working on transcribing oral histories from Davies Manor Plantation.

My newest project will be digitizing genealogical records for my family's Scottish clan society with my great-aunt, who is our family genealogist and a volunteer for the society. Expect updates soon!

I worked as a temporary employee at the Tennessee State Museum during the Emancipation Proclamation event. The museum expected 20,000 visitors over the course of a week. 30,000 showed up to experience this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. While at the museum, I worked behind the scenes stuffing ticket envelopes, crowd control, tearing tickets, at the ticket exchange, and retail in the museum bookstore. I had such a great time providing customer service and sharing in the excitement of museum guests.

On Monday, which also happened to be the last day of the exhibit, my husband took some of his students to see Lincoln and out to lunch as part of his school's mentoring program. I was able to secure some extra tickets and, with parental permission, Jordan brought his three mentees to see the proclamation. While the kids enjoyed seeing the proclamation (and certainly will appreciate it in the future, as they look back on the experience), they had a blast running around the museum and seeing all of the exhibits, especially Tennessee's own mummy! None of them had been to the museum before, so I was happy to be a part of bringing these new audience members to the museum.

I also went to Louisville with some friends and colleagues this weekend, where we caught up on life and discussed public history while drinking, eating, and visiting museums! Look for a blog post in the next few days on our trip.

Thanks for reading! I hope to continue providing meaningful content in this forum. Look for more posts soon!

The experiences and views in this blog are mine only, and do not reflect the views or experiences of the Tennessee State Museum or its permanent staff.

The tragic suicide of Aaron Swartz has reverberations that are felt throughout society. The blog post linked below was shared over SAA's Archives & Archivists listserv this morning. Take a read and reflect on the meaning of democracy in the digital age. This quote particularly touched me:

"Aaron has left us –academics, librarians, archivists, information architects and citizens all – with a daunting legacy. We might argue that he did more in his 26 years to advocate for the principles we hold dear – such those enshrined in the ALA’s “principles for a networked world” or the CLA’s “Statement on Intellectual Freedom” than we have ever dared to undertake or even imagine possible. His life and works challenge all of us to consider to what degree we are serious about breaking down the walls which separate knowledge from the people who might use it to do great things. These walls are built of ignorance, of greed, of cowardice, of the desire to control who may and who may not know."

http://bibliocracy-now.tumblr.com/post/40476460831/the-last-days-of-aaron-swartz

2012 in Review and Hopes for 2013

It's been a while since I've penned a post here, so I thought I would break the silence by posting one themed around reviewing 2012 and listing my hopes for the New Year.

Some Highlights of 2012:

1) Taking my final class, Essentials of Museum Management, and touring/ reviewing a good portion of Memphis's museums.

2) Starting work at Davies Manor Plantation, a beautiful historic house museum and farm.

3) Being hired as the museum assistant - my first professional job in my field - and getting to dress in period costume!

4) Adopting the world's cutest, sweetest, and furriest dog, and naming him Fred.

5) Finally graduating with my Masters Degree in History, concentration Public History, with a track in archival management, in May!

6) Teaching my first college classes.

7) Welcoming the world's most beautiful niece, Kaylee, and watching my brother struggle and succeed to be an amazing father.

8) Leaving Davies Manor Plantation with a small legacy, and with personal and professional relationships that, I hope, last a lifetime.

9) Cramming our entire life into one U-Haul truck and setting our sights on Nashville on the cold evening of the first of December:

I guess I really have been more productive this year than I knew! For 2013, I hope for more direction in my professional life and to be able to contribute more to our financial stability. I hope to settle down with my husband and create the strong fabric of our life together. I hope to mend and strengthen bonds with family members. I hope to learn how to take it easy on myself, to cut myself a break, and to love myself, even with my flaws and other people's perceptions of my flaws. I hope to be in a place, physically, emotionally, and financially, where we can seriously consider adding even more life into our home.

Did I forget anything? Did you share in some of these highlights with me? What were your personal highlights for 2012? What are your hopes for the New Year?

Adults in Toyland: Engaging the Children's Museum of Memphis

My husband, Jordan, in front of CMOM

I've been excited about visiting and reviewing the Children’s Museum of Memphis (CMOM), primarily because I’ve never intellectually engaged children's museums. That is to say, I've always looked at them as places for children to have fun rather than museums where people of all ages can learn. CMOM is a Memphis treasure held in high regard both locally and regionally. Just today, at a regional museum workshop, I overheard two colleagues discussing how fabulous CMOM is. While I was personally impressed with the museum, I also saw some areas for improvement.

A classroom at CMOM

Anna Billings Gallup, a children’s museum pioneer, said, “To inspire children with this love for and pride in the institution, they must feel that it was created for them, and that in all of its plans, it puts the child first.” [1] As one approaches CMOM, it is obvious that its founders held the same view. Children’s music plays over speakers, a cage of birds greets children before they even enter the museum, and the colorful façade hints at the wonders behind the museum’s door. I brought my husband, as he often expresses his childhood love for the museum. It was really interesting to watch him, as an adult, encounter one of his favorite childhood spaces. One imagines that many Memphians bringing their children to this landmark Memphis museum have similar attachments to familiar exhibits and the museum landscape.

Jordan, a Spanish teacher, points out inclusive language!

We also enjoyed the museum’s newer exhibits, like one on backyard gardening, which invited children to “plant” plastic fruits and vegetables in a fabric “dirt” bed. I especially appreciated how newer exhibits, including a temporary one on dinosaurs, had dual text in Spanish and English. We valued these efforts towards inclusiveness, although the landscape could have been more inclusive to children with physical disabilities. The temporary dinosaur exhibit is rather dark and items strewn across the floor don’t improve accessibility.

Vegetables in the garden - Jordan picks a fruit from the apple tree!

I did enjoy that nearly every exhibit had a hands-on and text component, ensuring that the museum is fun for both toddlers and older children. Toddlers who enjoy playing dress-up in the dinosaur exhibit may grow up to be children who, because of the fun they had as a child, enjoy learning from text accompanying exhibits. For now, their older siblings will certainly enjoy reading and learning about dinosaurs. Although text was concise and simply worded, parents can also be engaged through it, verbally passing information to children and learning something new themselves. Older children also enjoy the grocery store exhibit, where they can “shop” for “groceries” and use cash registers.

Grocery store exhibit, sponsored by Kroger
Visiting children learn about shopping and using money

I also appreciated how the museum incorporated local history and culture. My favorite examples of this were two exhibits, one modeling the Mississippi River and the other centered around a real FedEx plane. Visitors can play in the water of the “Mississippi,” see fish that swim in the river, and learn about the effects of pollution, while physically tracing the river’s path on the periphery of the city. An exhibit like this one teaches children about an important aspect of the city’s landscape and history. Children are also introduced to a crucial piece of Memphis’s economy as they help “load” the FedEx plane with “packages” on a conveyor belt. As someone avidly interested in local and community history and memory, I enjoyed that CMOM thought to include these aspects of Memphis culture.

Model of the famous bridge connecting Memphis and Arkansas

The Mighty Mississippi

At the same time, I did observe some negative issues. Parts of the museum were not as well-monitored as they should have been, sacrificing opportunities for education. We went on a Saturday, likely the busiest day of the week. Many exhibits, like the doctor’s office, were in absolute turmoil. This exhibit included no textual interpretation, while the hands-on educational tools were scattered throughout the area, making it difficult for children to actually learn anything. A more orderly procedure might correct this. The small grocery store replica, adjacent to the doctor’s office, is closely monitored by staff to ensure that the area is kept neat, while, just a few feet away, the doctor’s exhibit is strewn everywhere and poorly developed. The museum is missing a major opportunity here to educate visitors.

Children load packages on a conveyor belt connected to a FedEx airplane

Another missed opportunity is Windows to the World, funded by the Indian Community Fund. I was excited to see how the museum incorporated globalism, but was disappointed to find that the alcove was mostly empty, with only benches, some framed art, and paintings of generic books. I couldn’t help but feel that the museum was missing an important educational element here. Children’s museums should educate, as well as provide a creative outlet for children to run and play. Aside from a few exceptions, CMOM does an admirable job of educating and engaging Memphis children.

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[1] Edward P. and Mary Alexander, Museums in Motion: An Introduction to the History and Functions of Museums (Plymouth, UK: Altamira Press, 2008), 167.

Getting Lost in Art and Garden Paths at the Dixon

Dixon Main Gallery Building

The Dixon Gallery and Gardens is an art museum and botanical garden located in East Memphis, Tennessee. It was established in 1976 by its former residents, Hugo and Margaret Dixon. The private residence is now open as multiple galleries, while a separate building houses galleries, a gift shop, and meeting space. I enjoyed my time touring the art galleries, but I especially enjoyed touring the gardens.

When I arrived at the Dixon Museum, they were between exhibitions, so a large portion of the galleries were closed. I was able to see the Lee Littlefield glass sculpture special exhibition in the museum building and gardens, a permanent pewter collection in the reception hall, and selections from the Kattner Collection of American Paintings in the Dixon Residence. This last collection is on long-term loan to the Dixon while the majority of the Dixon’s permanent collection is being shipped to Louisville.

The first collection I viewed was Lee Littlefield’s glass sculptures, specifically the smaller ones, which were on display in the left wing of the main building. Each was mounted to the wall with a label containing the name and date of the piece. The exhibit is called Big Texas Bayous, which is indicative of the inspiration of the bayou in the shape of the sculptures. Each sculpture is also composed of bright colors which reflect the underwater environment.

Lee Littlefield sculptures in an open area of the grounds behind the Residence

I then saw that the reception hall was open to the public. Noticing large glass cases filled with objects on the walls around the room, I wandered in and found a huge collection of pewter dinnerware, figurines, and serving materials. This was one of my favorite aspects of the museum because it connected part of the museum’s permanent collection to history through material culture. Viewers could look at dinnerware sets, ice cream molds, and other household implements, and imagine how people who used them might have lived. More interpretation to educate visitors about how the pewter utensils were used would be beneficial towards this goal. I did, however, appreciate the labels corresponding to the displays, because each features outlines of the items contained within, arranged in the same order as they are in the cases. Each outline contains a name and/or description of the item, as well as its year of creation. Unfortunately, some of the outlines on the labels do not correspond to the arrangement of the case. Some items have been removed, perhaps for cleaning or repair. Presumably, these items will be returned, which is likely why the labels have not been changed to reflect the accurate current arrangement.

            

From there, I stopped by the gift shop, which is well-maintained, but doesn’t necessarily reflect the overall feel of the museum. While the items there are nice, they don’t explicitly correspond to either the collections or theme of the museum, as I have seen in other art museum gift shops. I then walked across the drop-off lot to the Residence, where I viewed a selection of American paintings. I enjoyed the setup of the galleries in the Residence, especially because rooms like the dining room are still easily recognized. Since the museum was getting ready to close, I did not go into the upstairs of the Residence, so I would be interested to see that area of the museum on a later visit.

The Garden Path from the direction of the Residence

Finally, I walked towards the entrance to the gardens, near the parking lot. A small wooded trail leads visitors to the Memphis Garden Club Cutting Garden, past a tented patio covered with bright blue café tables and chairs. The cutting garden, bordered on the back by the greenhouse building, is well-manicured. This is in stark contrast to the beautifully overgrown, but still well-maintained walking trails to the left of the garden. Trees are marked with metal numbered medallions, while both trees and plants are marked nearby with labels that tell visitors of their species. The wooded trails are winding, allowing visitors to get lost and to forget they are in the city. I had the impression that, by the time I needed to leave, I hadn’t yet seen everything in the trails.

Fountain and Pond in the Memphis Garden Club Cutting Garden

My overall impression of the museum is that it is a great place to quietly pass an afternoon. The art on display is interesting and the gardens are beautiful. The Dixon is an important cultural institution in Memphis and a valuable asset to the city. I would love to see some educational programs and special events there to see how the museum engages the general public.  

Our Visit to The Brooks Museum of Art

My husband, Jordan, in front of the "Peaceful Warriors: Aim for Change" post-it wall

            The Brooks Museum is a fabulous art museum located in historic Overton Park in midtown Memphis, near the famous Memphis Zoo and the quirky Memphis College of Art. We visited on an early Wednesday afternoon and saw two special exhibits, “Art and Scandal: The McCall Purchase” and “Peaceful Warriors: Aim for Change.” These exhibits are powerful and successful because they meld together art and local culture.

            The first exhibit we viewed was “Art and Scandal: The McCall Purchase.” In addition to showcasing exemplary art, this exhibit focuses on some fascinating Memphis history. The McCall Purchase was a group of paintings bought by the city in 1943. The collection was already controversial in the art world because many of the works were considered to be frauds. Complicating matters, many Memphians felt that $25,000 of taxpayer money could be better spent. The parks commissioner, city mayor, and Brooks personnel, however, saw the money as an investment in Memphis’s cultural community.

Many of the paintings were indeed frauds and acknowledged as such by the city and its art advisers at the time, but critics disputed the worth of several of the paintings, supposedly by masters. While the city felt one of these paintings alone was worth $25,000, many art connoisseurs thought it was worth much less and valued the collection at well under $25,000. Now, however, the acquisition is seen as a smart investment for the city. Time eventually proved the value of the pieces and the acquisition garnered much prestige for the museum, elevating it from a regional museum of art to one of the best in the Mid South.

            I especially enjoyed this exhibit because it combined local history, art history, and art exhibition. The installment displayed items from the purchase still in the collection, as well as black and white foam board prints of paintings which had been deaccessioned or never accessioned at all. Prints’ interpretive labels discussed the piece’s history, role in the scandal, and reasons for deaccessioning. A hallway between the two rooms of the exhibit featured a display of enlarged prints of period newspaper articles discussing the purchase, including statements made by the mayor. As a historian, I really loved this aspect of the exhibit.

            We also viewed an exhibit called “Peaceful Warriors: Aim for Change.” Advertised as having been “curated by the Memphis community via Facebook,” it was developed to correspond with a visiting exhibit, “The Art of the Arsenal,” which closed earlier this month. The project asked students from three local high schools to submit photographs and short essays depicting their “peaceful warriors,” people engaged in changing the community through social action. Before the exhibit’s opening, interns and other workers used social media to invite the community to vote for their favorite photographs.[1] The top twenty were displayed in the gallery, along with descriptions of the community action depicted. Other entries not chosen by Facebook fans were displayed in a small slideshow in the gallery.

I loved that the exhibit was almost entirely community-collaborative. A large wall of post-its invited visitors to share their own ideas of peaceful warriors. Unfortunately, most of the post-its left on the wall did not take the charge seriously. Many visitors put answers like “Batman,” “Godzilla,” or outright offensive statements that should not be repeated here. I am normally against censoring, but I feel that the staff could have curated the post-it notes, especially since one of the exhibit themes is involving teenagers in cultural collaboration. Seeing such immature and offensive responses, likely from visiting school groups, after seeing such thoughtful photographs by students cheapened the experience. Labels on the photographs were also difficult to understand. There were two or three names on each label, but nothing showed who the photographer was, who wrote the description, or who submitted the idea. Overall, I loved the idea behind this exhibit, but thought it could have been better curated.

The Brooks is one of my favorite museums in Memphis. I’ve gone to more visiting exhibits here than I can count, including Andy Warhol, Annie Leibovitz, and a selection of Impressionist paintings. The permanent collection is also impressive. I really enjoy the layout of the museum – it is in typical art museum style, featuring multiple galleries where one can get lost looking at art. The museum décor is clean and modern, while the architecture is traditional and ornate. The Brooks is an integral part of the cultural fabric of Memphis, and a must-see for any visitor to or resident of the city.

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[1] See the Facebook page created for the exhibit, “Peaceful Warriors: Aim for Change,” here: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Peaceful-Warriors-Aim-for-Change/151238354979515?sk=wall

Memphis Rock and Soul Museum!

Jordan and I are attending Memphis museums on their free day while he is on his Spring Break. Yesterday we went to the Rock and Soul Museum. Check out my impressions from our tour.

Jordan and I in front of the Rock and Soul Museum in the FedEx Forum plaza

The Rock and Soul Museum is located in Memphis, Tennessee, around the corner from the bustle of historic Beale Street. Founded in 1996, the museum was developed by the National Museum of American History as a part of the legendary Smithsonian Institution. Originally meant to be a traveling exhibition, funding for such was never available. The museum became a Memphis reality when a group of Memphians stepped in to secure funding to construct the museum locally.[1] Touring the Rock and Soul Museum should be an important part of any trip to Memphis because it does a fantastic job of situating the musical heritage of Memphis within the overarching cultural context of the Mid South.

The tour begins with a seven minute video discussing the convergence of country, blues, soul, and rock music in the rural Midsouth, and how Memphis came to be the epicenter of that music. The video is dated by the musicians and record executives who appear in it, but not by the information or cinematic style. From there, the tour is self-guided with an optional audio component. The first room of the exhibit focuses on the shared roots of country and blues in Southern porch culture, sharecropping, and rural life. Along with a reproduction of a rural porch, the exhibit featured a covered wagon and representations of cotton and cotton culture. My only complaint about this portion of the exhibit is that it was possible to hear the introductory video while touring it, since the two rooms are only separated by a heavy black curtain. It would be beneficial at some point to build a wall separating the two. The exhibit continues with the depiction of a country kitchen and bedroom; a depiction of how the music migrated, along with sharecroppers, to Memphis; and continues with music memorabilia. It ends with a collection of modern albums that were recorded in Memphis, a blurb about each, and a wonderful wall of post-its inviting visitors to “record” themselves in Memphis.

I especially loved how the video and exhibits combined musical history with social history, particularly race relations, civil rights, and sharecropping. I also loved the “touchability” of the exhibits and artifacts. Signs invited visitors to explore the porch replica and to touch items set out on the table in the kitchen exhibit. Some artifacts, such as an old radio, were housed in glass cases, of course, but quite a bit of the objects were out. I felt like displaying objects in this way in such a setting really helped to immerse the visitor in the cultural history that gave rise to the musical revolution of the 1950s and 60s. In addition, there were multiple forms of media, including text, photograph, audio and video. The text on the exhibits was not overwhelming, but still informative, especially combined with the photographs, descriptions of objects, and audio tour.

The audio tour was also a wonderful accompaniment to the exhibits. The combination of interpretation, famous voices, and music on the audio tour helped to provide visitors with an interesting and varied tour experience. Halfway through the tour, Jordan discovered that one of the juke boxes on display actually had a code next to each song that, when entered into the audio tour handset, played the particular song to which it corresponded. I thought that this was a fun and interesting novelty within the tour. I also really enjoyed the post-it wall at the end of the tour. It is a smart way to gauge visitors’ opinions about the tour, involve children, and make visitors personally invested in the museum experience.

            

The Rock and Soul Museum is a wonderful gem in the middle of the busiest part of Memphis. The walk to and from the museum was half the fun of the experience. We parked several blocks away, but the walk wasn’t difficult as we passed through Beale Street, past the Ida B. Wells historic marker, through the FedEx Forum open air plaza, and into the museum. Going in the early portion of the evening was an especially exciting time to visit because one could hear the music from Beale Street drifting through the air. The location of the museum was a bit of strategical genius because the surrounding area sets the mood perfectly. Visiting the Rock and Soul museum was a Memphis experience I wish I had done sooner. I definitely plan on returning to experience more of the exhibit at a more leisurely pace.  

My post-it "record"

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[1] For more information, see http://memphisrocknsoul.org/aboutus.