The John Bargrave Collection
Museum Manners: the Sensory Life of the Early Museum
Secondary Title (i.e. Proceedings Title): Periodical Title:Journal of Social History Publication Type: Authors:Classen, Constance Editors: Publisher: Place of Publication: Publication Date:Summer 2007 Alternate Date (i.e. Conference Date): Volume:40 Issue:4 Start Page:895 End Page:914 Abstract:Many contemporary museums are challenging the traditional "hands-off" ethos of the museum with innovative, interactive exhibitions. Yet, such exhibitions are still exceptions to the rule of sensory restraint that is generally expected to govern the behavior of museum visitors. Artifacts for the most part are only to be seen - not felt, smelled, sounded, or tasted. However, this rule of sensory restraint is not intrinsic to the museum. Accounts of visits to early museums indicate that visitors interacted with and learned about the exhibits on display through all of their senses. Such multisensory interaction was not simply due to lax regulations but was motivated by a range of social customs as well as by contemporary aesthetic and scientific norms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] Descriptors/Keywords: Museums -- HistorySenses & sensation
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