Open Forum

Dear All

What is the best small museum you have visited or worked for?  I ask as someone who did there internship at a small museum. The museum is a medical history museum about the eye. I look forward to learning of places I do not now of yet.

Thanks,

Rachel

------------------------------
Rachel Alschuler
Museum Education/ Visitor Experience
San Francisco CA
------------------------------

I love small museums. Perhaps that's why I founded my own (Brooklyn Seltzer Museum). But in NYC it's definitely MMuseumm (in an elevator shaft). And in the country the umbrella cover museum on a small island in Maine.

------------------------------
Barry Joseph
Founder
Brooklyn Seltzer Museum
Brooklyn NY
------------------------------

The Isle of Wight County Museum in Smithfield, Virginia gets my nod. Why? It houses the world's largest edible ham and the world's oldest peanut. It's very educational while also having a sense of humor about itself. When I visited several years ago, the ham was sadly off view due to facility repairs. But they were kind enough to screen for me (an audience of one) their video documenting the creation of the world's largest ham biscuit. As community volunteers tossed ham slices onto a room-sized biscuit, the footage shifted to slo-mo and the soundtrack cut to "Chariots of Fire." Heaven. 

------------------------------
REBECCA JONES
Virginia Museum of Fine Arts
Richmond VA
------------------------------

Dear All

I enjoy all of your responses and taking a look at a museum that I have not herd of. I enjoy discovering something I did not know about or learning more. I hope to visit many a museum.

Thanks,

Rachel

------------------------------
Rachel Alschuler
Museum Education/ Visitor Experience
San Francisco CA
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 05-20-2025 10:15 AM
From: Lynda Kennedy
Subject: What is the best small museum you have visited or worked for?

I was very impressed by the updated Lewis Latimer House Museum – they did a great job of integrating the STEM, the history and even the connection to artistic creativity. https://www.lewislatimerhouse.org/

 

Lynda

 

Lynda Kennedy, MSEd, PhD

VP Education & Evaluation

Intrepid Museum

Cell: 917-324-0151

 

Help support the Museum and make a gift today!

Facebook // Twitter // Instagram

 

 

 

I don't work here but volunteer at Champaign County History Museum. It is located in the Cattle Bank at Champaign near the Amtrak Train Station. It features alot of cool artifacts based on local history with artifacts from newspapers, to old clothing, to artwork, and so much more. It is a cool place to visit. 

------------------------------
Myles Jude
------------------------------

It's hard to choose a single museum, so I am going to mention two small museums.

The first being the Spartanburg Art Museum in Spartanburg, South Carolina. I volunteered there throughout my entire undergraduate career. The staff were incredibly kind and welcoming! I initially assisted with the front desk and moved on to assisting with their permanent collection  I learned the importance of the vitality of visitor interactions and perceptions about current and future exhibits. I also gained experience with deinstalling and installing exhibitions as well! My first real introduction into the field of collections! 

The second small museum I will mention is the Cotton Club Museum and Cultural Center in Gainesville, Florida. During my first year of graduate school at the University of Florida, I interned at the museum. I conducted exhibition research and co-curated Treasures from Africa at the Cotton Club Museum and Cultural Center alongside two fellow Museum Studies classmates. We researched and displayed the collection of a local art collector. The exhibit featured Eastern and Western African wooden sculptures from the Ivory Coast, Tanzania, and Mozambique. In addition to prints by Margaret Taylor Burroughs and John Thomas Biggers. It was truly a wonderful experience! 

------------------------------
Solana Rostick
M.A. Candidate Museum Studies
University of Florida
Gainesville, FL
------------------------------

Dear All

Great, So many different places and all important. 

Thanks,

Rachel

------------------------------
Rachel Alschuler
Museum Education/ Visitor Experience
San Francisco CA
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 05-20-2025 02:56 PM
From: Solana Rostick
Subject: What is the best small museum you have visited or worked for?

It's hard to choose a single museum, so I am going to mention two small museums.

The first being the Spartanburg Art Museum in Spartanburg, South Carolina. I volunteered there throughout my entire undergraduate career. The staff were incredibly kind and welcoming! I initially assisted with the front desk and moved on to assisting with their permanent collection  I learned the importance of the vitality of visitor interactions and perceptions about current and future exhibits. I also gained experience with deinstalling and installing exhibitions as well! My first real introduction into the field of collections! 

The second small museum I will mention is the Cotton Club Museum and Cultural Center in Gainesville, Florida. During my first year of graduate school at the University of Florida, I interned at the museum. I conducted exhibition research and co-curated Treasures from Africa at the Cotton Club Museum and Cultural Center alongside two fellow Museum Studies classmates. We researched and displayed the collection of a local art collector. The exhibit featured Eastern and Western African wooden sculptures from the Ivory Coast, Tanzania, and Mozambique. In addition to prints by Margaret Taylor Burroughs and John Thomas Biggers. It was truly a wonderful experience! 

------------------------------
Solana Rostick
M.A. Candidate Museum Studies
University of Florida
Gainesville, FL
------------------------------

THe best museum I wasa volunteer Docent at is the "American Space Museum" in Titusville Florida. For a small museum they pack in a lot of space artifacts and have a daily Podcast called "Stay Curious" that is popuar with all. They are 10 miles from Kennedy Space Center and easy to visit while you are in town visiting a launch.

------------------------------
James Sowell PhD
Aerospace Historian and College Professor
U.S. Space Walk of Fame Museum
Titusville FL
------------------------------

Dear All

I am really enjoying this and all your responses. Keep um coming.

Thanks,

Rachel

------------------------------
Rachel Alschuler
Museum Education/ Visitor Experience
San Francisco CA
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 05-21-2025 11:19 AM
From: James Sowell
Subject: What is the best small museum you have visited or worked for?

THe best museum I wasa volunteer Docent at is the "American Space Museum" in Titusville Florida. For a small museum they pack in a lot of space artifacts and have a daily Podcast called "Stay Curious" that is popuar with all. They are 10 miles from Kennedy Space Center and easy to visit while you are in town visiting a launch.

------------------------------
James Sowell PhD
Aerospace Historian and College Professor
U.S. Space Walk of Fame Museum
Titusville FL
------------------------------

Best I ever worked for? No contest: the Pember Museum of Natural History in Granville NY. https://thepember.org/index.php/the-museum/

Best I ever visited? There are some many fine ones, in the US and elsewhere.  Best one-room museum I've visited? Probably the Mutter Museum at the College of Physicians of Philadelphia, PA. If you haven't seen it before now, it may soon be unavailable. https://muttermuseum.org/visit

------------------------------
James Bryant
Consultant, SOJOURN Science-Nature-Education
Santa Fe NM
------------------------------

Dear All

I wanted to mention one more museum, the Veterans Memorial Commission Museum in Cedar Rapids. 

Thanks,

Rachel

------------------------------
Rachel Alschuler
Museum Education/ Visitor Experience
San Francisco CA
------------------------------

Another element that makes a museum great- no matter what the size- is it’s successful and creative mission driven public and community offerings in an organization where staff and volunteers a are valued and treated with respect. It is a comfortable place to do meaningful work that benefits its communities.
It is a place with engrained joy and empathy. It is inclusive and ever growing in good research and creative expression and sharing of ideas.
It strives to meet professional standards as laid out in the self study materials published by AASLH.

And all of these qualities can wax and wane over the lifetime of a museum- small or large. But it’s situation is immediately in evident in smaller organizations. Maintaining these qualities depends heavily on the actions and attitudes of the governing body and lead staff and volunteers.

I have worked in or with organizations that met these conditions and standards and it was a real pleasure to be part of the team. However, those conditions can change as the leadership changes. Sadly, such places slip from being a joyful and productive organization. There is an exit of staff, board members and volunteers. Community engagement and interest wanes.

Only a lot of visionary and dedicated renewal work bring those organizations back to their potential of being among the best. It is possible. It takes time and dedication.

Katie Boardman
PO Box 666
Cooperstown, NY 13326
607-435-4568


Original Message:
Sent: 5/23/2025 1:42:00 PM
From: Rachel Alschuler
Subject: RE: What is the best small museum you have visited or worked for?

Dear All

I wanted to mention one more museum, the Veterans Memorial Commission Museum in Cedar Rapids. 

Thanks,

Rachel

------------------------------
Rachel Alschuler
Museum Education/ Visitor Experience
San Francisco CA
------------------------------

Dear Katie

Thanks, for the insight and I agree.

Rachel

------------------------------
Rachel Alschuler
Museum Education/ Visitor Experience
San Francisco CA
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 05-26-2025 06:05 AM
From: Kathryn Boardman
Subject: What is the best small museum you have visited or worked for?

Another element that makes a museum great- no matter what the size- is it's successful and creative mission driven public and community offerings in an organization where staff and volunteers a are valued and treated with respect. It is a comfortable place to do meaningful work that benefits its communities.
It is a place with engrained joy and empathy. It is inclusive and ever growing in good research and creative expression and sharing of ideas.
It strives to meet professional standards as laid out in the self study materials published by AASLH.

And all of these qualities can wax and wane over the lifetime of a museum- small or large. But it's situation is immediately in evident in smaller organizations. Maintaining these qualities depends heavily on the actions and attitudes of the governing body and lead staff and volunteers.

I have worked in or with organizations that met these conditions and standards and it was a real pleasure to be part of the team. However, those conditions can change as the leadership changes. Sadly, such places slip from being a joyful and productive organization. There is an exit of staff, board members and volunteers. Community engagement and interest wanes.

Only a lot of visionary and dedicated renewal work bring those organizations back to their potential of being among the best. It is possible. It takes time and dedication.

Katie Boardman
PO Box 666
Cooperstown, NY 13326
607-435-4568



Original Message:
Sent: 5/23/2025 1:42:00 PM
From: Rachel Alschuler
Subject: RE: What is the best small museum you have visited or worked for?

Dear All

I wanted to mention one more museum, the Veterans Memorial Commission Museum in Cedar Rapids. 

Thanks,

Rachel

------------------------------
Rachel Alschuler
Museum Education/ Visitor Experience
San Francisco CA
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 5/23/2025 1:42:00 PM
From: Rachel Alschuler
Subject: RE: What is the best small museum you have visited or worked for?

Dear All

I wanted to mention one more museum, the Veterans Memorial Commission Museum in Cedar Rapids. 

Thanks,

Rachel

------------------------------
Rachel Alschuler
Museum Education/ Visitor Experience
San Francisco CA
------------------------------

Dear

Lana

Thanks I am enjoying this.

Rachel

------------------------------
Rachel Alschuler
Museum Education/ Visitor Experience
San Francisco CA
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 06-01-2025 05:10 PM
From: Lana Lane-Underwood
Subject: What is the best small museum you have visited or worked for?

The Arizona Copper Art Museum in Clarkdale, AZ.

Beautiful small museum with a large copper collection with a great deal of variety in the exhibits. 

You will be astounded and can spend a decent amount of time in here. 

www.copperartmuseum.com

Lana Lane-Underwood

Lead Guest Experience Associate 

 

Arizona Museum of Natural History

53 N. Macdonald  Street

Mesa, AZ 85201

Web: www.azmnh.org

 

 

 

Original Message:
Sent: 5/23/2025 1:42:00 PM
From: Rachel Alschuler
Subject: RE: What is the best small museum you have visited or worked for?

Dear All

I wanted to mention one more museum, the Veterans Memorial Commission Museum in Cedar Rapids. 

Thanks,

Rachel

------------------------------
Rachel Alschuler
Museum Education/ Visitor Experience
San Francisco CA
------------------------------

Hello all!

The Backstreet Museum in New Orleans, Treme neighborhood, as well as the Petit Jazz Museum are both excellent. They both explore the music and culture of the city and specifically the neighborhood of Treme. The Backstreet focuses on street culture, Social Aid and Pleasure Clubs' second line culture, and Mardi Gras Indian culture. The Petite Jazz Museum focuses on music of the African Diaspora and transformative nature New Orleans' music traditions. Enjoy!

------------------------------
Cassandra Erb
Independant Curator
New Orleans LA
------------------------------

Dear Cassandra

Thanks for telling me about the museum. It looks intriguing to me. I like to learn about new things.

Rachel

------------------------------
Rachel Alschuler
Museum Education/ Visitor Experience
San Francisco CA
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 05-28-2025 11:03 AM
From: Cassandra Erb
Subject: What is the best small museum you have visited or worked for?

Hello all!

The Backstreet Museum in New Orleans, Treme neighborhood, as well as the Petit Jazz Museum are both excellent. They both explore the music and culture of the city and specifically the neighborhood of Treme. The Backstreet focuses on street culture, Social Aid and Pleasure Clubs' second line culture, and Mardi Gras Indian culture. The Petite Jazz Museum focuses on music of the African Diaspora and transformative nature New Orleans' music traditions. Enjoy!

------------------------------
Cassandra Erb
Independant Curator
New Orleans LA
------------------------------

I am biased... but have to recommend the Harwood Museum of Art in Taos New Mexico.  I believe we do a good job of staying true to our mission, relevant to the unique artistic story of the region while hitting Local, National and International relevance.  We also have the renowned Agnes Martin Gallery designed by the artist herself.  Check is out https://harwoodmuseum.org/

------------------------------
Juniper Leherissey
Executive Director
Harwood Museum of Art
Taos NM
------------------------------

Dear Juniper

Thanks, the museum looks good and the art  varied and interesting.

Rachel

------------------------------
Rachel Alschuler
Museum Education/ Visitor Experience
San Francisco CA
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 06-04-2025 01:43 PM
From: Juniper Leherissey
Subject: What is the best small museum you have visited or worked for?

I am biased... but have to recommend the Harwood Museum of Art in Taos New Mexico.  I believe we do a good job of staying true to our mission, relevant to the unique artistic story of the region while hitting Local, National and International relevance.  We also have the renowned Agnes Martin Gallery designed by the artist herself.  Check is out https://harwoodmuseum.org/

------------------------------
Juniper Leherissey
Executive Director
Harwood Museum of Art
Taos NM
------------------------------

I'm definitely biased, but the museum that I volunteer for, the National Museum of World War II Aviation in Colorado Springs, is amazing. We're currently #8 in the nation on Trip Advisor attractions, and we're operated entirely by volunteers.

Our volunteers are what make our museum great. They're passionate about the subject and love talking to our guests about WWII and aviation in general.

We also have 29 operational WWII aircraft that we fly for the public every summer, so that helps.

____________________

Crystal Ross

Volunteer & Membership  Coordinator

National Museum of World War II Aviation

------------------------------
Crystal Ross
Volunteer and Membership Coordinator
National Museum of World War II Aviation
Colorado Springs CO
------------------------------

Dear Crystal

Thanks, I am glad to know the museum is out there. I have been to an an aviation museum in Arizona. It was good but yours covers a part of history that changed the world in so many ways. 

Rachel

------------------------------
Rachel Alschuler
Museum Education/ Visitor Experience
San Francisco CA
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 08-11-2025 06:07 PM
From: Crystal Ross
Subject: What is the best small museum you have visited or worked for?

I'm definitely biased, but the museum that I volunteer for, the National Museum of World War II Aviation in Colorado Springs, is amazing. We're currently #8 in the nation on Trip Advisor attractions, and we're operated entirely by volunteers.

Our volunteers are what make our museum great. They're passionate about the subject and love talking to our guests about WWII and aviation in general.

We also have 29 operational WWII aircraft that we fly for the public every summer, so that helps.

____________________

Crystal Ross

Volunteer & Membership  Coordinator

National Museum of World War II Aviation

------------------------------
Crystal Ross
Volunteer and Membership Coordinator
National Museum of World War II Aviation
Colorado Springs CO
------------------------------