Open Forum

We've been struggling with increased destruction bordering on vandalism in our exhibits of late. Of course, we all expect some level of this, even some people who are intentionally destructive. However, the incidences have increased enough we're starting to focus on the problem a little more closely.

For example, we have a wall with fossil casts screwed onto it with brackets. We've had several people straight up pull them out of the wall. Recently, one piece was pull off the wall, cracked, and the iron bar on the inside was bent. Clearly not the work of a small child.

We've had thick jute twine on toy fishing poles *snapped*. Not ravelled. Snapped.

We've had people flaking pieces and pulling knobs off of a replica desk that people can sit and take pictures at.

We too are trying to think of a witty sign we can put around that encourages positive play. Anyone have any new ideas?

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Kristin Martin
Programs Director
Museum of World Treasures
Wichita KS
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Witty signs do not work. Catch and ban perps from the museum. I have seen about everything in20 years at museums large and small. Bottom Line: Your first responsibility is to protect your assets. Is there the possibility of bad PR from banning? Absolutely, but FIGHT BACK on social media where the bad PR will come from. There is not enough public shaming anymore.

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David Beard
Executive Director
USS KIDD Veterans Memorial Museum
Baton Rouge LA
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Original Message:
Sent: 04-18-2018 02:24 PM
From: Kristin Martin
Subject: Destruction of Exhibits

We've been struggling with increased destruction bordering on vandalism in our exhibits of late. Of course, we all expect some level of this, even some people who are intentionally destructive. However, the incidences have increased enough we're starting to focus on the problem a little more closely.

For example, we have a wall with fossil casts screwed onto it with brackets. We've had several people straight up pull them out of the wall. Recently, one piece was pull off the wall, cracked, and the iron bar on the inside was bent. Clearly not the work of a small child.

We've had thick jute twine on toy fishing poles *snapped*. Not ravelled. Snapped.

We've had people flaking pieces and pulling knobs off of a replica desk that people can sit and take pictures at.

We too are trying to think of a witty sign we can put around that encourages positive play. Anyone have any new ideas?

------------------------------
Kristin Martin
Programs Director
Museum of World Treasures
Wichita KS
------------------------------

What kind of security team do you have in place?  If you don't have guards, do you have docents or volunteers that can wander or be stationed at key areas that can act as eyes and ears and stop people from touching the exhibits?  Are video cameras obvious, or working? Perhaps even an obviously placed (but non working) camera can sometimes be a deterrent to bad behavior. Also, try to find a way to cordon off the exhibits without it being too prohibitive -- are there floor bumpers you can use so people can't get in arm's length of exhibits?

Also, I am all for identifying the perps and banning them.

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Carrie Bowers
Museum Specialist
National Museum of the Marine Corps
Triangle VA
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Original Message:
Sent: 04-19-2018 07:24 AM
From: David Beard
Subject: Destruction of Exhibits

Witty signs do not work. Catch and ban perps from the museum. I have seen about everything in20 years at museums large and small. Bottom Line: Your first responsibility is to protect your assets. Is there the possibility of bad PR from banning? Absolutely, but FIGHT BACK on social media where the bad PR will come from. There is not enough public shaming anymore.

------------------------------
David Beard
Executive Director
USS KIDD Veterans Memorial Museum
Baton Rouge LA

Original Message:
Sent: 04-18-2018 02:24 PM
From: Kristin Martin
Subject: Destruction of Exhibits

We've been struggling with increased destruction bordering on vandalism in our exhibits of late. Of course, we all expect some level of this, even some people who are intentionally destructive. However, the incidences have increased enough we're starting to focus on the problem a little more closely.

For example, we have a wall with fossil casts screwed onto it with brackets. We've had several people straight up pull them out of the wall. Recently, one piece was pull off the wall, cracked, and the iron bar on the inside was bent. Clearly not the work of a small child.

We've had thick jute twine on toy fishing poles *snapped*. Not ravelled. Snapped.

We've had people flaking pieces and pulling knobs off of a replica desk that people can sit and take pictures at.

We too are trying to think of a witty sign we can put around that encourages positive play. Anyone have any new ideas?

------------------------------
Kristin Martin
Programs Director
Museum of World Treasures
Wichita KS
------------------------------

A few well placed "This area under video surveillance" signs might do the trick. You might not even need to install any cameras, but if you do it will give you a lot better idea of what's happening and who's doing it. Cameras are very in expensive these days.

------------------------------
John Jenkins
President & CEO
SPARK Museum of Electrical Invention
Bellingham WA
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 04-18-2018 02:24 PM
From: Kristin Martin
Subject: Destruction of Exhibits

We've been struggling with increased destruction bordering on vandalism in our exhibits of late. Of course, we all expect some level of this, even some people who are intentionally destructive. However, the incidences have increased enough we're starting to focus on the problem a little more closely.

For example, we have a wall with fossil casts screwed onto it with brackets. We've had several people straight up pull them out of the wall. Recently, one piece was pull off the wall, cracked, and the iron bar on the inside was bent. Clearly not the work of a small child.

We've had thick jute twine on toy fishing poles *snapped*. Not ravelled. Snapped.

We've had people flaking pieces and pulling knobs off of a replica desk that people can sit and take pictures at.

We too are trying to think of a witty sign we can put around that encourages positive play. Anyone have any new ideas?

------------------------------
Kristin Martin
Programs Director
Museum of World Treasures
Wichita KS
------------------------------

Cops: You need human surveillance with authority to arrest, plus video recordings to offer as evidence in court. Sounds as if you have a new operational cost.

------------------------------
Bruce Geyman
National Museum Curator
U.S. Geological Survey
Reston,VA
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 04-18-2018 02:24 PM
From: Kristin Martin
Subject: Destruction of Exhibits

We've been struggling with increased destruction bordering on vandalism in our exhibits of late. Of course, we all expect some level of this, even some people who are intentionally destructive. However, the incidences have increased enough we're starting to focus on the problem a little more closely.

For example, we have a wall with fossil casts screwed onto it with brackets. We've had several people straight up pull them out of the wall. Recently, one piece was pull off the wall, cracked, and the iron bar on the inside was bent. Clearly not the work of a small child.

We've had thick jute twine on toy fishing poles *snapped*. Not ravelled. Snapped.

We've had people flaking pieces and pulling knobs off of a replica desk that people can sit and take pictures at.

We too are trying to think of a witty sign we can put around that encourages positive play. Anyone have any new ideas?

------------------------------
Kristin Martin
Programs Director
Museum of World Treasures
Wichita KS
------------------------------

Thank you for sharing your story. We also see many extreme examples of vandalism. We offer a warranty and it is difficult to know where the line is on vandalism versus durability. With our clients we notice it is worse when there is no supervision or oversight in the gallery. It is also worse when sites are used as day cares and kids are allowed to roam without parents or guardians. Maybe that needs to be a requirement? I think video cameras are a good and inexpensive idea too. Would love to know what becomes effective for you to advise others.

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Betty Brennan
President
Taylor Studios, Inc.
Rantoul IL
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 04-18-2018 02:24 PM
From: Kristin Martin
Subject: Destruction of Exhibits

We've been struggling with increased destruction bordering on vandalism in our exhibits of late. Of course, we all expect some level of this, even some people who are intentionally destructive. However, the incidences have increased enough we're starting to focus on the problem a little more closely.

For example, we have a wall with fossil casts screwed onto it with brackets. We've had several people straight up pull them out of the wall. Recently, one piece was pull off the wall, cracked, and the iron bar on the inside was bent. Clearly not the work of a small child.

We've had thick jute twine on toy fishing poles *snapped*. Not ravelled. Snapped.

We've had people flaking pieces and pulling knobs off of a replica desk that people can sit and take pictures at.

We too are trying to think of a witty sign we can put around that encourages positive play. Anyone have any new ideas?

------------------------------
Kristin Martin
Programs Director
Museum of World Treasures
Wichita KS
------------------------------

Original Message------

We've been struggling with increased destruction bordering on vandalism in our exhibits of late. Of course, we all expect some level of this, even some people who are intentionally destructive. However, the incidences have increased enough we're starting to focus on the problem a little more closely.

For example, we have a wall with fossil casts screwed onto it with brackets. We've had several people straight up pull them out of the wall. Recently, one piece was pull off the wall, cracked, and the iron bar on the inside was bent. Clearly not the work of a small child.

We've had thick jute twine on toy fishing poles *snapped*. Not ravelled. Snapped.

We've had people flaking pieces and pulling knobs off of a replica desk that people can sit and take pictures at.

We too are trying to think of a witty sign we can put around that encourages positive play. Anyone have any new ideas?

------------------------------
Kristin Martin
Programs Director
Museum of World Treasures
Wichita KS
------------------------------

I would love to hear what other museums are doing.  We too have experienced this in our exhibits.
In an effort to stop this, we have begun discussing rules with all of our visitors as they walk in the door. We are talking in more detail about the rules with families or those that seem rowdy.  This has stopped some of the damage, though not all.  We also have staff trying to monitor all of the different rooms and activities, encouraging good behavior.
I look forward to hearing about other ideas.


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Jean Nels
Executive Director
Mt. Shasta Sisson Museum
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 04-18-2018 02:24 PM
From: Kristin Martin
Subject: Destruction of Exhibits

We've been struggling with increased destruction bordering on vandalism in our exhibits of late. Of course, we all expect some level of this, even some people who are intentionally destructive. However, the incidences have increased enough we're starting to focus on the problem a little more closely.

For example, we have a wall with fossil casts screwed onto it with brackets. We've had several people straight up pull them out of the wall. Recently, one piece was pull off the wall, cracked, and the iron bar on the inside was bent. Clearly not the work of a small child.

We've had thick jute twine on toy fishing poles *snapped*. Not ravelled. Snapped.

We've had people flaking pieces and pulling knobs off of a replica desk that people can sit and take pictures at.

We too are trying to think of a witty sign we can put around that encourages positive play. Anyone have any new ideas?

------------------------------
Kristin Martin
Programs Director
Museum of World Treasures
Wichita KS
------------------------------

Do you charge for admission? Museum exhibits often get more wear and tear on free days.
Do your visitors value their experience? It sounds like a general lack of respect for the place. 
Do you label replicas differently that the real thing? If visitors are treating exhibits like playgrounds, maybe more durability is an answer.

------------------------------
Beverly Serrell
Director
Serrell & Associates
Chicago IL
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 04-18-2018 02:24 PM
From: Kristin Martin
Subject: Destruction of Exhibits

We've been struggling with increased destruction bordering on vandalism in our exhibits of late. Of course, we all expect some level of this, even some people who are intentionally destructive. However, the incidences have increased enough we're starting to focus on the problem a little more closely.

For example, we have a wall with fossil casts screwed onto it with brackets. We've had several people straight up pull them out of the wall. Recently, one piece was pull off the wall, cracked, and the iron bar on the inside was bent. Clearly not the work of a small child.

We've had thick jute twine on toy fishing poles *snapped*. Not ravelled. Snapped.

We've had people flaking pieces and pulling knobs off of a replica desk that people can sit and take pictures at.

We too are trying to think of a witty sign we can put around that encourages positive play. Anyone have any new ideas?

------------------------------
Kristin Martin
Programs Director
Museum of World Treasures
Wichita KS
------------------------------

Original Message------

Do you charge for admission? Museum exhibits often get more wear and tear on free days.
Do your visitors value their experience? It sounds like a general lack of respect for the place. 
Do you label replicas differently that the real thing? If visitors are treating exhibits like playgrounds, maybe more durability is an answer.

------------------------------
Beverly Serrell
Director
Serrell & Associates
Chicago IL
------------------------------

​First, thank you for posting this!  I have been working in museums since the 1990s and over the last three years felt like there was an upswing in these issues.  I am currently at a railroad museum and had been putting this down to visitor's assuming steel was indestructible and sometimes confusing our rail cars with playground climbing structures (we have a lot of young families who visit).  However, things are breaking and disappearing more than at any site I had previously worked.

To address this, I have:

• worked on making cases more secure , getting cameras in the galleries and yard
• considered line of sight in gallery design - making sure people are seen by other visitors makes them much less likely to behave poorly
• put a hiatus on borrowing objects until we have better control over our space
• worked with the collections curator to ensure stolen items are reported
• created a great expectations sheet that lists museum manners and is sent as part of our tour confirmation email and then gone over again orally at the beginning of each school visit

I will be reading everyone's ideas avidly to see what more I can be doing!  Thank you again!

Elizabeth Nosek
Curator of Education & Exhibits
Colorado Railroad Museum

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Elizabeth Nosek
Curator of Education & Exhibits
Colorado Railroad Museum
Golden CO
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 04-18-2018 02:24 PM
From: Kristin Martin
Subject: Destruction of Exhibits

We've been struggling with increased destruction bordering on vandalism in our exhibits of late. Of course, we all expect some level of this, even some people who are intentionally destructive. However, the incidences have increased enough we're starting to focus on the problem a little more closely.

For example, we have a wall with fossil casts screwed onto it with brackets. We've had several people straight up pull them out of the wall. Recently, one piece was pull off the wall, cracked, and the iron bar on the inside was bent. Clearly not the work of a small child.

We've had thick jute twine on toy fishing poles *snapped*. Not ravelled. Snapped.

We've had people flaking pieces and pulling knobs off of a replica desk that people can sit and take pictures at.

We too are trying to think of a witty sign we can put around that encourages positive play. Anyone have any new ideas?

------------------------------
Kristin Martin
Programs Director
Museum of World Treasures
Wichita KS
------------------------------