Open Forum

This is a pretty common problem I think, and I am not sure any of us have figured it out. Just yesterday, we had someone play our piano that has a sign on it that says do not play. They open doors that say don't open, they move stanchions to touch (and break!) our house model. 

We are a bit less picky about what people touch than other spaces, but I sure would love to figure out how to stop people from touching things we are sensitive about. I have been looking into those anti-touch sensors I have seen at other museums, but haven't found them yet. 

We very much had this problem (it particularly galled me when it was opening 18th c. tall clocks!!!)... and being on a high school campus didn't help.  But honestly, it was the adults that were the worst.  In the end, we installed security cameras now unbiquitous to contemporary life.  Depending on your wifi system, you should be able to acquire the wireless type.  Then your admissions/reception staff can monitor.  Because we had limited wireless capacity (long story) we even stuck up some very inexpensive "dummy" cameras as deterents.  We posted a discrete but noticeable sign at our admissions desk...

Hi Hannah! I'd like to congratulate you and your org on your visitation growth. It is clear your space is offering something of value to your patrons, so here is a guest-centric perspective.

The first step is to discover why the 1% are engaging with your artifacts in ways that are undesirable.

*Is it because they are curious? If so, what ways can you position content or interpreters to help satisfy the curiosity and keep the objects safe?

*Is it because they don't know or understand the difference between "touch this and not that"? If so, that is a different problem to solve. In this case you might consider the ways you can use spatial guidelines and/or trained staff and volunteers to help clarify the difference. 

I also encourage you to get curious about who is doing the undesirable touching. What are their needs? What opportunities are available?

How do you cue guest behavior in clear, but welcoming ways? Rather than a list of "don't do's," can you have some clear graphic signage of "can do's" and share why its safe to handle that object, but not the rest.

I have much more I can say, but the best place to start is by framing the challenge as an opportunity for a new kind of welcome. Reach out if you want more ideas!

Hi Hannah!

I'm in the same situation - an open air living history museum with lots of things visitors can touch...and a few things they can't. In some of our more fragile spaces we did put up signs that say "Help us Preserve the Past...by Not Touching or Sitting on the Historic Furniture!" 

Krista mentioned "don't do" signage and like she said, that's unwelcoming. We chose language that we hoped invited visitors to be part of something bigger than themselves - preserving history. Obviously, it's not a perfect deterrent but I feel like it's helped some and helped start conversations with visitors when they ask why they can't touch that item or sit on that chair. We also have put them up sparingly.

Great question and helpful answers coming in, thank you!
Claire