The Museum in America Innovators and Pioneers

by Alexander, Edward P.

• ISBN13: 9780761989479
• ISBN10: 0761989471
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1997-09-30
• Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers

Summary

The Museum in America captures the life stories of thirteen visionary museum leaders who helped transform the 19th century's collection of curios into today's institution of public service and education. In the lively style of Museum Masters, Alexander recounts the stories of pioneers in American history, science, art, and general museums. For anyone interested in the history of the museum, this volume is the place to start.

Table of Contents

Foreword	p. 9
Introduction: Toward a Definition of the American Museum	p. 13
Develops a Model Natural History Museum	p. 19
Perfects the Habitat Group Exhibition	p. 33
Standardizes Functions of the Art Museum	p. 51
Brings Modern Art to the Museum	p. 67
Makes a Historical Society Reach the People of a State	p. 85
Preserves Important Sites Throughout New England	p. 101
Uses Visitors as Part of Museum Experiments	p. 117
Popularizes the First Children's Museum	p. 133
Expands the Neighborhood Museum	p. 147
Attracts the Community into a General Museum	p. 161
Plants an Outstanding Botanical Garden	p. 173
Founds a Varied and Popular Zoo	p. 189
Teaches a Pioneering Course in Museum Studies	p. 205
Epilogue: The American Museum Progresses	p. 219
Index	p. 221
Table of Contents provided by Blackwell. All Rights Reserved.