Consensus Building Institute’s Post

“Whether you’re eight or eighty, you want your world to work for you.” This quote from the “Unlimited by Design” exhibition at the Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum in New York encapsulates the spirit of universal design. The same conditions for everyone, no matter their age, rather than special solutions for the select few. But what is behind the term “universal design”? How does the approach, which is at once both innovative and universal, address the challenges of demographic change? Read More at https://lnkd.in/gk8mxavQ

Join us on March 28 at 5:00 p.m. for The Searchers: Wayfinding on the Water in the Pre-Modern Age with Connecticut River Museum. This talk is in anticipation of the Connecticut River Museum’s spring 2024 exhibition, "The Searchers: Wayfinding on the Water in the Pre-Modern Age." Museum Curator Amy Trout will give a preview of the new exhibit that recounts the risk-taking voyages of Connecticut Valley mariners over time. Crossing the seas evolved from being highly hazardous in the seventeenth century; to being quite routine by the mid-nineteenth century due, in great part, to improved methods of navigation. From Indigenous people to trans-Atlantic immigrants, there were dangers and challenges in transportation by water. Developing technology and improved navigation tools assisted in the safe and successful search for raw materials, for new markets, for trading partners, for new opportunities, and for some, freedom. Learn more by visiting our exhibition "Charting Your Course: Cutting Edge Navigation and Seafaring," on view through May 11. Register for the March 28 talk here: https://buff.ly/3V7xX4S.

In the Natural History Museum in London, there is a 5m wide slice from a giant redwood. Its rings chart the 1,300-year life of this 101m tree till it was felled in 1891. Although its roots do not go down that deep (one to two meters on average) they spread as much as 30 meters in all directions. Why? Well, the giant redwood grows where there's plenty of surface water, it doesn't need to tap into deeper water supplies. It needs to capture as much as it can. The Shepherd’s Tree, found in the Kalahari Desert, has roots that go 𝟳𝟬𝗺 𝗱𝗲𝗲𝗽! And yet it only grows up to 10m tall. So while the expression in the image isn't accurate, it still points to truth. The taller we grow and the tougher the situations we face, the more we need resources and relationships to support us. ----------------------------------------- Enjoyed this? 🔄 Share with your network so they can benefit. 👣 And follow me for more sketchy ideas on creativity and critical thinking.

Rethinking Historic House Museums: Cragfont's Innovative Approach Cragfont State Historic Site in Sumner County, Tennessee, is a shining example of how historic house museums can evolve to become more relevant and engaging. Previously focused solely on General James Winchester, Cragfont, with the leadership of Historic Castalian Springs, has embraced a more inclusive and dynamic approach to storytelling. Key Transformations: - Inclusive Narratives: Cragfont's tours now explore the diverse experiences of women, enslaved people, and even a visiting Mexican revolutionary, offering a richer and more nuanced understanding of the site's history. - Experiential Interpretation: Gone are the static displays replaced by "lived-in" room arrangements that bring history to life and spark conversations about the past's influence on our present. - Unearthing Hidden Stories: Cragfont prioritizes uncovering and sharing the narratives of enslaved individuals. This fosters a more complete understanding of the past. - Continuous Learning: New discoveries, like a recently donated collection of letters, prompt fresh interpretations. Their upcoming video series highlights this ongoing process, emphasizing history as a living conversation. By delving deeper into the past and sharing these stories in engaging ways, they're building a more empathetic and connected future for their community. This is just one example! Stay tuned to see how other organizations are leveraging the humanities to create a brighter tomorrow for Tennessee. #SharedFuturesLabTN #InclusiveHistory #MuseumInnovation #historichousemuseum

“Whether you’re eight or eighty, you want your world to work for you.” This quote from the “Unlimited by Design” exhibition at the Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum in New York encapsulates the spirit of universal design. The same conditions for everyone, no matter their age, rather than special solutions for the select few. But what is behind the term “universal design”? How does the approach, which is at once both #innovative and universal, address the challenges of demographic change? Read more at https://lnkd.in/g4NCaG_q

Should we have taxidermy in museums? Is it… Ethical? Aesthetic? Or just plain outdated? This is the final post in my taxidermy series, and probably the biggest question yet. It’s not as simple as whether it makes us uncomfortable. Some of the deeper questions I’ve been pondering: 🌍 Does it align with the climate and biodiversity challenges we face today? 📚 Is it serving a purpose as a crucial educational tool, a story about species, environments, and history…or just an aesthetic choice? 🧐 How do we, as museum professionals, educators, and visitors, approach this difficult, ethical conversation? And whatever your stance, how do you ensure your voice is heard? Over the last few months, I’ve learned so much from you all about the sensory and behind-the-scenes realities of taxidermy. Now I want to know—what’s your take? Should taxidermy stay in the past (but out of our museums)? Or does it still hold an important place in our future? #MuseumEthics #Taxidermy #Museums #Curator Image is of a dodo in Leicester Museum and Art Gallery

Most museum collections are in storage. But when did these objects start being considered as 'reserve collections' or the problem of 'too much stuff' rather than as actively-used study collections? In the latest volume of Artefacts I trace how ideas of collections use changed over the 20th century, and offer some thoughts as to how even ubiquitous or generic items (the sort that often sit overlooked on storeroom shelves) might spark research questions. Yes, even this boring-looking black box voltmeter has potential. In another chapter, Sam Alberti, James Inglis, Louis Volkmer and I look at who's actually publishing research on science and technology collections, and where. Artefacts Volume 13, 'Understanding Use: Objects in Museums of Science and Technology' is available open-access. https://lnkd.in/eHynQYxT Thanks to Tim Boon, Liz Haines, Arnaud Dubois, Kate Steiner and the Smithsonian Institution Scholarly Press team! #museummonday #museums #collections #storage #history #histSTM #research #openaccess

https://lnkd.in/e2ijyUeT The 1904 World’s Fair in St. Louis: Between Ethnographic Display and Racist Exclusion of the Other This research highlights the harsh reality behind the scenes of the 1904 World's Fair in St. Louis, Missouri. Beneath the advertised technological advancements and the dazzling lights of American modernity lay a grim narrative of human dehumanization, which this article seeks to explore.

"What a great tour! It makes me wonder: how did that house become a historic site that we can visit?" "I dunno…magic?"   We're spoiled for historic sites here in Alexandria. Gadsby's Tavern, Carlyle House, the Alexandria History Museum, Freedom House, Lee-Fendall House, and Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum are just a few of the local historic resources that are not only preserved for posterity but also open to the public. While many of these places are now iconic parts of Alexandria, it took the work of many different people to preserve them, and the work of talented staff, volunteers, and supporters is required to keep them open today. So how does a historically significant place, whether in Alexandria or elsewhere in the United States, go from private property to public asset? An Alexandria Historical Society board member examined that question in a recent article. Ultimately, there's no magic switch that transforms a place with historical significance into a historic site that's open to the public. Many historic buildings have fallen to the wrecking ball, and many others would have met a similar fate had it not been for the dedicated efforts of preservationists. Still, saving a site from destruction is only half the battle. Keeping it open to the public and meaningfully telling its story comes with its own set of challenges. Check out the article for the full story: https://lnkd.in/ey3ZTBCF Credit: Library of Congress and Office of Historic Alexandria