Why do we have museums? - J. V. Maranto

Summary

This guided tour explores the fascinating history of museums, from ancient Greek temples dedicated to the Muses to modern-day institutions of learning. The journey covers early Mesopotamian collections by Princess Ennigaldi-Nanna, Roman treasure houses, Renaissance curiosity cabinets, and the eclectic Barnum's American Museum. The evolution of museums from private collections for the elite to public institutions fostering research and education is highlighted. Despite greater accessibility today, the script notes that financial barriers can still limit entry for aspiring scholars and curious minds.

Takeaways

• 🏛️ Museums have been part of human history for over 2000 years, evolving over time.
• 🇬🇷 The word 'museum' comes from the Greek 'mouseion,' temples dedicated to the Muses, goddesses of arts and sciences.
• 👸 The first known museum was created by Princess Ennigaldi-Nanna in Mesopotamia around 530 B.C., with artifacts arranged in rows and labeled in three languages.
• 🦁 In the Roman Empire, museums were treasure houses for war spoils, and royal menageries displayed exotic animals during public events.
• 🔬 The Renaissance revived interest in natural studies, leading to curiosity cabinets or Wunderkammers, collections of oddities and artifacts.
• 🧳 Ole Worm, a notable 17th-century naturalist, curated one of the most famous curiosity cabinets, filled with natural specimens and artifacts.
• 🎪 In the 1840s, Phineas T. Barnum created Barnum's American Museum, blending a zoo, wax museum, and freak show.
• 🎟️ Public museums were initially restricted to the upper and middle classes, requiring written applications for visits, but gradually became more accessible.
• 🇺🇸 The 19th century saw the rise of public institutions like the Smithsonian, which encouraged study and exploration.
• 💡 Today, museums are centers for learning and research, but high ticket prices can still limit access to some future scholars and artists.

Q & A

What is the origin of the word 'museum'?

The word 'museum' comes from the Greek 'mouseion,' which were temples built for the Muses, the goddesses of the arts and sciences.

What was the purpose of the Greek mouseion?

Greek mouseions were temples where supplicants asked the Muses for academic guidance and divine inspiration. These temples were filled with offerings like sculptures, mosaics, and scientific apparatuses.

Who created the first museum and when?

The first museum was created in 530 B.C. by Ennigaldi-Nanna, a Mesopotamian princess, in what is now Iraq.

How did Ennigaldi-Nanna organize her museum?

Ennigaldi-Nanna arranged dozens of artifacts neatly in rows with clay labels written in three languages, making it the earliest example of museum curation.

What role did Roman Empire collections play in the history of museums?

In the Roman Empire, politicians and generals displayed treasures and war spoils in treasure houses, and exotic animals were shown to the public during special occasions like gladiator tournaments.

What were curiosity cabinets, and when did they become popular?

Curiosity cabinets, also known as Wunderkammers, were collections of intriguing artifacts that acted like physical encyclopedias. They became popular during the Renaissance, showcasing items like natural specimens, works of art, and historic relics.

What made Ole Worm's cabinet significant?

Ole Worm, a wealthy 17th-century naturalist and physician, had one of the most notable curiosity cabinets, which included human skeletons, ancient runic texts, and artifacts from the New World.

How did Phineas T. Barnum influence the development of museums?

Phineas T. Barnum opened Barnum's American Museum in New York City in the 1840s. It was an eclectic mix of zoo, wax museum, theater, and freak show, featuring attractions like a Fiji mermaid, Siamese twins, and modern machinery.

When did museums start becoming accessible to the public?

Museums began to open to the public in the 19th century, but earlier public museums like the Louvre were only accessible to the upper and middle classes and only on certain days. Institutions like the Smithsonian helped make museums more open.

How are modern museums different from those in the past?

Modern museums are open to everyone, acting as centers of learning and research. They have become more hands-on, unlike the earlier models where artifacts were locked away or accessible to only a select few.