Archive for the 'Museums' Category

Exhibition in Salisbury - Making History: Antiquaries in Britain 1707-2007

From Saturday 4th October 2008 until 3rd January 2009, Salisbury and South Wiltshire Museum will be home to the exhibition “Making History: Antiquaries in Britain 1707-2007“.

The exhibtion, presented in association with the Society of Antiquaries of London, explores the development of archaeology, from antiquarianism to the rise of modern professional archaeology. It features original works of art, manuscripts and artefacts from their wonderful collections.

Making History is a travelling exhibition, and after Salisbury it will move to Stoke on Trent, Sunderland, and Lincoln. It will be tailored to include relevant exhibits from each region, in addition to the exhibition’s core collection.

Following on from my work on the Making History exhibition in London at the Royal Academy last year, I have contributed a short animation to the Salisbury exhibition.

Entitled “Lasers and Light”, it contains some new footage generated from the Stonehenge LiDAR dataset, close-range laser scans of some bones (and skull) from the Amesbury Archer, and some laser scans of WWI and WWII graffiti carved into trees on Salisbury Plain. In the next week or so I will put it online and embed it here.

If you can make it to Salisbury and South Wiltshire Museum, Making History will certainly be worth a visit, and will give you an opportunity to explore the rest of this fabulous museum.

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British Museum domain name change

As reported on Portable Antiquities Scheme blog, the British Museum have changed their domain name from www.british-museum.ac.uk and www.thebritishmuseum.ac.uk to the shorter www.britishmuseum.org.

I have to say that I haven’t looked at their website for a long time, and it’s now very nicely designed.

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lamusediffuse - Libya and the social web

I was recently sent information about a project called “lamusediffuse“, an interesting project which aims to increase global awareness of Libyan museums and their collections via the web.

lamusediffuse proposes the use of Social Web tools for the inclusion of not-dominant cultural expressions in the scopes of culture diffusion on the Internet. Accordingly with this objective, the project “Museums in Libya” is focused on two starting facts, the first is the lack of information about Libyan museums available in the website of the International Council of African Museums (AFRICOM) and the second is the apparent lack of museum websites in this country.

Their approach seems pretty much spot on to me. Set up and carefully tend Flickr and del.icio.us accounts, blog (about the phenomenon of interacting with museums using the social web), have a wiki, publish presentations on Slideshare.

I hope that this approach works well for them - it will be an interesting experiment to see if they can lift their museums from relative obscurity. I’ll certainly try and keep up with their project - it’s exactly the kind of approach that I evangelise about.

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Podcasting - should museums listen?

As promised, here is a re-recording of the talk that I gave at the Museums Association Digital Dialogues conference. It is, of course, available as a podcast.

Feel free to comment here. If there’s interest, I’ll also post my presentation for people to download.

If you’d like to subscribe to this and future podcasts from Past Thinking, the feed URL is: http://feeds.feedburner.com/pastthinking

 
icon for podpress  Podcasts: should museums listen? [18:21m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download
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Podcasting and Museums

Tomorrow, I’ll be giving a paper at the Digital Dialogues conference in the Victoria and Albert Museum. I may well re-record my talk and release it as a podcast here on Past Thinking, if people are interested.

I won’t be talking about how to podcast, there’s plenty of guides and forums for that, but rather introducing people to what it is, why do it, and who’s doing it, whilst touching briefly on video and vodcasting.

If you’re already going, I’ll see you there, and if you’re not, check back here soon and have a listen.

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Celtic Coin Index

I urge you to try out the new Celtic Coin Index website. Dan Pett has built the website for this fabulous resource from scratch, and it’s packed with modern features such as Google Maps, RSS, GeoRSS, tag clouds, and even an API (coming soon).

The site is still in beta for the time being. Dan has had just one hour per day to work on this since March, and is pretty much self-taught.

I think you’ll agree, that this new site raises the bar for heritage websites in general.

Link: Celtic Coin Index (beta)

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Museum of London Online

The Museum of London have been doing some great stuff with their website recently, including an upcoming events RSS feed, and the Google Maps powered Map My London where you can record your own memories in London, and where they are of.

Mia has also pointed out that there is now a Museum of London Flickr group as the museum now permits photography. It’s great to see this happening - museums opening up, and encouraging interaction. The Museum’s ‘official’ Flickr account (MoL_Learning - “Molly“) is also well worth a look.

Latest 2 events at the Museum of London (live from their RSS feed):

    Story time
    Join the Museum's hosts to discover stories from and about London. You could discover whether William Night became a Knight, if sparrow Samuel could return all the lost items he's found or solve the clues in our Roman game. To find out story dates call the booking office.<p>Date: 12 October 2008. <br />Times: 11:30<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/MuseumOfLondonGroupUpcomingEvents/~4/373345723" height="1" width="1"/>

    The Buxton Fountain
    Meet storyteller Alexander D Great who will help us find out how Londoners tried to preserve the memory of those who fought slavery 200 years ago.<p>Date: 12 October 2008. <br />Times: 13:00; 14:00; 15:00<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/MuseumOfLondonGroupUpcomingEvents/~4/405383505" height="1" width="1"/>

    Babies and carers group
    Come and join our gentle drop-in session for babies aged 6-18 months and their carers. Held in our Mudlarks gallery the session includes soft play, rhyme time and an opportunity to meet others in a relaxed setting.<p>Date: 13 October 2008. <br />Times: 13:00<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/MuseumOfLondonGroupUpcomingEvents/~4/369903353" height="1" width="1"/>

    Paddington: trains, boats, buses - and bears
    Continuing our exploration of London's Victorian suburbs: once a hamlet nestling around a green, close by the River Westbourne, and surrounded by farms, Paddington didn't become part of London until the 19th century, when the arrival of the railway, the canals, the first London horse drawn omnibus service and the world's first underground railway all contributed to its dramatic growth. Our walk will take in Brunel's magnificent station, the Regent's Canal and Paddington Basin, and the stuccoed terraces alongside Little Venice. There's a chance to see the extraordinary regeneration at Paddington's Waterside ¿ and of course, there is that bear who is 50 this year!<p>Date: 13 October 2008. <br />Times: 14:00<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/MuseumOfLondonGroupUpcomingEvents/~4/406241686" height="1" width="1"/>

    Toddler's and Carer's group
    Come to our weekly session for children aged 12 months to 5 years and their carers. The session involves soft play, rhyme time, play materials and refreshments. Please note that places are limited and booking is required.<p>Date: 13 October 2008. <br />Times: 10:15<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/MuseumOfLondonGroupUpcomingEvents/~4/155551565" height="1" width="1"/>

    Toddler's and Carer's Group
    Come along and see our toddler's and carer's group! Have fun playing, singing and taking part in art activities every week! For those aged 12 months to 5 years and their carers.<p>Date: 15 October 2008. <br />Times: 15:30<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/MuseumOfLondonGroupUpcomingEvents/~4/251316170" height="1" width="1"/>

    Carriages, Crime and Crinolines: Writers and the Victorians
    Why has the Victorian era proved such a rich source of inspiration to today's novelists? Explore this question with best selling authors Charles Palliser, Lee Jackson and Sue Gee.<p>Date: 16 October 2008. <br />Times: 19:00<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/MuseumOfLondonGroupUpcomingEvents/~4/409469718" height="1" width="1"/>

    London's Burning gallery tours
    Join London Burning's curator, Meriel Jeater, for a fascinating tour of the exhibition. Find out more about the fast and furious spread of the fire, the objects on display and its effects on Londoners, including characters like Samuel Pepys and Robert Hubert.<p>Date: 16 October 2008. <br />Times: 15:00<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/MuseumOfLondonGroupUpcomingEvents/~4/275422625" height="1" width="1"/>

    Under 5's Storytime
    Come and listen to a story in one of our galleries and join in with a rhyme or two! A short session led by one of the Museum's team in a gallery location. <p>Date: 16 October 2008. <br />Times: 10:15<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/MuseumOfLondonGroupUpcomingEvents/~4/207028076" height="1" width="1"/>

    A closer look at Jack the Ripper
    A chance to explore some of the issues tackled by today's Ripperologists through a closer look at he objects on display in the Museum's exhibition. Speakers include the acknowledged Jack the Ripper expert Donald Rumbelow, who will discuss the Ripper Diary. In conjunction with Ripperologist magazine and the organisers of the biannual UK Ripper conferences. <p>Date: 18 October 2008. <br />Times: 10:30<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/MuseumOfLondonGroupUpcomingEvents/~4/282734274" height="1" width="1"/>

    The Secret of London Bridge
    Let's travel to London Bridge with a Pedlar! Touch and see the objects he sold and join in with this interactive storytelling session. This session is for children under five and their carers. <p>Date: 18 October 2008. <br />Times: 13:00; 14:00; 15:00<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/MuseumOfLondonGroupUpcomingEvents/~4/384981683" height="1" width="1"/>

    Meet Abudia Megiste
    This wealthy woman travelled the vast Roman empire with her husband. Originally from Africa, find out how what she felt about the climate, food and life in Roman London. <p>Date: 19 October 2008. <br />Times: 13:00; 14:00; 15:00<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/MuseumOfLondonGroupUpcomingEvents/~4/411852610" height="1" width="1"/>

    Story time
    Join the Museum's hosts to discover stories from and about London. You could discover whether William Night became a Knight, if sparrow Samuel could return all the lost items he's found or solve the clues in our Roman game. To find out story dates call the booking office.<p>Date: 19 October 2008. <br />Times: 11:30<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/MuseumOfLondonGroupUpcomingEvents/~4/373345723" height="1" width="1"/>

    Babies and carers group
    Come and join our gentle drop-in session for babies aged 6-18 months and their carers. Held in our Mudlarks gallery the session includes soft play, rhyme time and an opportunity to meet others in a relaxed setting.<p>Date: 20 October 2008. <br />Times: 13:00<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/MuseumOfLondonGroupUpcomingEvents/~4/369903353" height="1" width="1"/>

    Musical Mondays
    Come along and express yourself through music. Special monthly session as part of our Toddler's and Carer's Group. For those aged 12 months to 5 years and their carers. Please note that places are limited and booking is required.<p>Date: 20 October 2008. <br />Times: 10:15<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/MuseumOfLondonGroupUpcomingEvents/~4/251316169" height="1" width="1"/>

    Toddler's and Carer's group
    Come to our weekly session for children aged 12 months to 5 years and their carers. The session involves soft play, rhyme time, play materials and refreshments. Please note that places are limited and booking is required.<p>Date: 20 October 2008. <br />Times: 10:15<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/MuseumOfLondonGroupUpcomingEvents/~4/155551565" height="1" width="1"/>

    Roman fort gate
    In AD 200 Londinium (the Roman City of London) was surrounded by a huge wall with a fort in the north west corner. Come and see the remains of its west gate beneath the streets right next to this Museum.<p>Date: 22 October 2008. <br />Times: 11:00; 12:00<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/MuseumOfLondonGroupUpcomingEvents/~4/209839097" height="1" width="1"/>

    Talk and Walk: Mayfair
    From an unpromising marshland to the premier address in London, Mayfair, like so much of the West End, developed as aristocratic estates. In our walk, we'll learn how the estates - particularly the Grosvenor Estate - manages its land and property, see the village at the heart of Mayfair, enjoy the high class gossip and scandals, and visit the Society Jesuit Church. A revival of the popular series, in which Blue Badge guide, Sue Jackson, gives a talk a distinct areas of London at the Museum in the morning (11am-12pm), followed by a guided walk around that area in the afternoon (2-4pm). <p>Date: 22 October 2008. <br />Times: 11:00<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/MuseumOfLondonGroupUpcomingEvents/~4/414688364" height="1" width="1"/>

    Toddler's and Carer's Group
    Come along and see our toddler's and carer's group! Have fun playing, singing and taking part in art activities every week! For those aged 12 months to 5 years and their carers.<p>Date: 22 October 2008. <br />Times: 15:30<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/MuseumOfLondonGroupUpcomingEvents/~4/251316170" height="1" width="1"/>

    Under 5's Storytime
    Come and listen to a story in one of our galleries and join in with a rhyme or two! A short session led by one of the Museum's team in a gallery location. <p>Date: 23 October 2008. <br />Times: 10:15<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/MuseumOfLondonGroupUpcomingEvents/~4/207028076" height="1" width="1"/>

    Victorian workhouses
    Peter Higginbotham explores the world of Victorian workhouses, and their importance in the lives of poor and destitute at this time.<p>Date: 23 October 2008. <br />Times: 13:10<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/MuseumOfLondonGroupUpcomingEvents/~4/415720919" height="1" width="1"/>

    After the fire: rebuilding the city
    The destruction caused by the Great Fire of 1666, presented Londoners with a fantastic opportunity to rebuild London. Sir Christopher Wren and John Nash, the two dominant architects of the day, greatly influenced the redevelopment of the new city. Specifically, Wren's new churches, including St Paul's Cathedral, gave a new character to London's skyline. Today, both Londoners and tourists alike will recognise the buildings, squares and streets that were constructed after the fire and still survive. Using the Museum of London's collection of ephemera, prints and drawings and tools, curator Vicky Roberton will demonstrate how these can help you learn more about these buildings and the processes involved in rebuilding the city. Visitors will be allowed to handle some of these objects.<p>Date: 24 October 2008. <br />Times: 15:00<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/MuseumOfLondonGroupUpcomingEvents/~4/416814591" height="1" width="1"/>

    Burning greetings
    Send the warmest greetings to a friend or relative, with a dramatic, bright and fiery greeting card inspired by the flames of London's fires. <p>Date: 25 October 2008. <br />Times: 12:30; 14:30<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/MuseumOfLondonGroupUpcomingEvents/~4/417701380" height="1" width="1"/>

    London's burning
    Come and see some of the objects used in London at the time of the Great Fire in 1666 and discover the stories they can tell. Smell the candles, handle the buckets and try out a fireman's helmet.<p>Date: 25 October 2008. <br />Times: 13:00; 14:00; 15:00<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/MuseumOfLondonGroupUpcomingEvents/~4/417711099" height="1" width="1"/>

    Shackles, the Whip and the Drum
    Discover how and why Caribbean dance differs from the dance of West Africa, the role dance plays in the experience of African enslavement in the Caribbean and enjoy this exciting dance performance.<p>Date: 25 October 2008. <br />Times: 14:00<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/MuseumOfLondonGroupUpcomingEvents/~4/417755512" height="1" width="1"/>

    The creation of Caribbean dance
    Although forcefully separated from their homeland and taken to the Caribbean and the Americas, African people preserved their roots. In the fight for freedom they used music and dance as a form of resistance. Find out how and discover how Caribbean dance differs from West African moves and rhythms. <p>Date: 25 October 2008. <br />Times: 11:45<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/MuseumOfLondonGroupUpcomingEvents/~4/417671357" height="1" width="1"/>

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National Museums Liverpool Blog

A superb example of how blogging can work for a museum (or any heritage organisation), is exemplified by the National Museums Liverpool blog.

I visited it a while ago, when it was first set up, hoping that it would be successful. I’m always pleased to see bold experiments with technology in the heritage sector. I couldn’t remember exactly when the blog started (March 2006), so I flicked back in time using the calendar at the top right of the page. Days where content was posted are coloured orange, and I was very impressed to see that this was at worst one post per week. Some weeks went by with a post every day. Great work!

I had a quick look at their blog rank in Technorati, and they’re doing rather well at 148,150, with 269 inbound links from 26 blogs. That’s soon to be slightly increased after I post this..

They even have an account on Flickr.

I wonder when they will become bold enough to enable comments though?

Links: National Museums Liverpool Blog, National Museums Liverpool Flickr Photos

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History Matters Campaign “Mass Blog” day

History Matters - pass it onThe History Matters - Pass It On campaign, which I blogged about in July, are holding an event entitled “One Day in History” on 17th October:

A MASS BLOG for the national record. The History Matters campaign has designated October 17 a day for the public to make historic. We have chosen ‘an ordinary’ weekday of no particular significance to ask you to write a one day on-line diary.

Source: http://www.historymatters.org.uk/output/Page95.asp

They want people to record a “blog diary” which they can upload to the History Matters website.

We want as many people as possible - tens of thousands of UK residents - to record a ‘blog’ diary of this one day to be by the British Library and others as a record of our national life.

As ever, I’m positive about a day where people will record how history has influenced them on an ‘ordinary day’, and have that text lodged with the British Library in perpetuity. But I am uncomfortable about the use of the word “blog” to describe what they’re doing.
Continue reading ‘History Matters Campaign “Mass Blog” day’

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Science Museum web development blog

The New Media group at London’s Science Museum have begun blogging. Currently, they are covering the progress of their upcoming website redesign, as well as handy extra features that they are implementing around their extensive website.

It’s always nice to see a little of what happens ‘behind the scenes’ and learn about the decisions (and techniques) used by a national museum to communicate their collections. I’m fascinated by the deconstruction of their own website as it stands - it’s good food for thought for the ones that I run. We can all learn from each other…

Link: http://www.sciencemuseumdev.org.uk/

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