Evolution of Museums: From Cabinets of Curiosities to Educational Institutions

This chapter traces the evolution of museums from the concept of cabinets of curiosities to educational institutions through various historical periods. It explores how museums showcased wealth, sophistication, and intellectual curiosity, leading to the democratization of knowledge in the Age of Enlightenment and the pivotal opening of major museums like the British Museum and the Louvre. The narrative extends to the inclusion of lower classes in museum experiences, the educational efforts in the 19th century, and the transformative impact of events like the Great Exhibition of 1851 on the museum landscape.