What museums reveal about places (and what they have to offer travelers)
Jun 27, 2023
auto_awesome
This podcast episode explores the museum experience for travelers and the appeal of Presidential Libraries. It delves into the concept of museums as surrogates for travel, their nostalgic aspect, and the relationship between private collections and public museums. The hosts also discuss unexpected objects in museums, the importance of community engagement, and the joy of curating unique museums.
Museums curate objects to tell stories about the world, history, and our aspirations, enhancing the travel experience.
Museums can change visitors' perceptions while providing unexpected surprises, creating a sense of nostalgia and connection.
Deep dives
The Significance of Museums for Travelers
This podcast episode explores the importance and impact of museums in enhancing the travel experience. The host reflects on his visit to the Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library and Boyhood Home, highlighting how museums curate objects to tell stories about the world, history, and our aspirations. The episode also features an interview with the owner of a Barbie and Hot Wheels toy museum, emphasizing the connection between private collections and public museums. The discussion delves into the concept of nostalgia and how museums can change visitors' perceptions while providing unexpected surprises.
The Curatorial Process and Storytelling in Museums
The episode delves into the curatorial process of museums, drawing insights from the director of the Eisenhower Museum. The museum strives to engage the public and honor the presidency of Dwight D. Eisenhower. The host explores how museums use objects to tell stories, the importance of narrowing down the focus of exhibitions, and the use of quotes and sound bites to let historical figures speak for themselves. The interview also touches on the balance between a collector and a museum curator and the evolving interpretation of history over time.
Acting Like a Tourist in Your Hometown
The podcast encourages listeners to adopt a tourist mindset and explore their own hometowns. The episode emphasizes that there is always something new to learn and discover nearby. It also highlights the interconnectedness of local stories and attractions, such as the cowboy history in Abilene, Kansas, and the Greyhound Hall of Fame. The host concludes by suggesting that curiosity should be exercised close to home, as it is a valuable travel virtue regardless of the destination.
“We do not just keep and collect things. We trouble ourselves to repurpose, create, and invent things just to carry, a little easier, those stories we cannot live without.”
—Kendra Greene
In this episode of Deviate, Rolf speaks to the directors of two very different museums — Dawn Hammat of the Eisenhower Presidential Library, Museum & Boyhood Home in Abilene, Kansas, and Greg Long of Long’s Collectible Showplace & Gift Shop in Salina, Kansas (0:00); what people are drawn to in a given museum, and how a kind of nostalgia drives what people look for there (5:30); the ways all museums change and adapt over time, and how museums can surprise their visitors (12:00).