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European arms and armor collections in North America

  • 1.  European arms and armor collections in North America

    Posted 02-10-2020 02:50 PM
    Edited by Michael Lamble 02-10-2020 04:13 PM
    Hello, all!  My name is Michael Lowry Lamble, and I am a second year student in the University of Washington's Museology Graduate Program.  At the moment, I am working on my thesis research, which is a study of how trying on armor impacts the educational experiences of visitors to arms and armor galleries.  I am providing replica armor for the "trying on" portion of the study, but I am searching for museums with sizable European arms and armor collections where I can conduct interviews with visitors to said galleries.  So far, I have reached out to:
    • The Walters Art Museum
    • The Art Institute of Chicago
    • The Metropolitan Museum of Art
    • The Glenbow
    • The Worcester Art Museum
    • The Cleveland Museum of Art
    • The Philadelphia Museum of Art
    • The Saint Louis Art Museum
    • The Minneapolis Institute of Art
    Luckily, I have scheduled a weekend to conduct interviews at the Walters, but I am hoping to collect data at three museums.  As such, it feels like a good idea to cast a wide net.  Are there other museums in the US or Canada that have relatively sizable collections of European arms and armor (armor is the crucial part, but the two tend to be grouped together) that I have missed?  Thanks!

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    Michael Lamble
    Museology Graduate Program - University of Washington
    Seattle WA
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  • 2.  RE: European arms and armor collections in North America

    Posted 02-11-2020 09:47 AM
    Hi Michael,

    I seem to recall the Frazier Museum in Louisville, KY having a good collection of armor. Plus, it's a great town to visit anyway.

    Best,
    Suzanne

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    Suzanne McGarraugh
    Exhibit Design Specialist
    Mountmaking & Installation
    San Antonio, TX
    ------------------------------

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  • 3.  RE: European arms and armor collections in North America

    Posted 02-25-2020 09:12 AM

    Unfortunately, most of the armor at the Frazier was a large loan from the Royal Armouries at Leeds. That loan ended a few years back. 

    Related, the Frazier has nearly completely rebranded, removing almost all weapons references (when it opened 15 years ago, it was THE best firearms exhibit - American, technology, and social history all told through the use/development of firearms). 

    They now focus on Kentucky history, although they still have elements of the original design. 



    ------------------------------
    David Kennedy
    Curator of Collections and Exhibits
    US Marshals Museum
    Fort Smith, AR
    ------------------------------

    Original Message
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  • 4.  RE: European arms and armor collections in North America

    Posted 02-28-2020 01:55 PM

                    Firearms are a big part of this countries history, you would think that a museum with such an amazing collection would want to keep it in tact for all to see. Any particular reason as to why they decided to phase out there firearms?

     

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Ken Barrett

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    National Gallery of Art                  




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  • 5.  RE: European arms and armor collections in North America

    Posted 02-28-2020 03:56 PM

    Ken, 

    A decent history of the organization (with some nods to the reasons behind the change) is on the Wikipedia article for the Frazier. 

    Much of the reason behind the rebrand and the de-emphasis of the arms collection was money. There was a large expectation that school visits would be a solid revenue stream. This did not come to be as the focus on firearms led many school districts to be wary of visits to "a gun museum." 

    As much of a concern this has been to a number of us, the museum remained open during that period solely on annual giving on the part of the founder and namesake. After his passing, it became obvious that changes needed to be made in order for the organization to continue. 

    It is still a fine museum. 

    Dave K 



    ------------------------------
    David Kennedy
    Curator of Collections and Exhibits
    US Marshals Museum
    Fort Smith, AR
    ------------------------------

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  • 6.  RE: European arms and armor collections in North America

    Posted 02-28-2020 04:29 PM



           Dave,

         Looking at the financial aspect of the museum and i can see why it would be completely justified for with change, adding in the " field trip" factor and I can see your point. I am sure it is still a fine museum. I am a fan antique arms, so it give me a touch of tunnel vision. The financial need and a basic need to stay in touch with the times can decide if the doors stay open. I to appreciate the reply. I watched the Newseum, just across the street from us close their doors after only a few years partially due to a few mentioned reasons.

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    Kenneth Barrett
    National Gallery of Art
    Washington DC
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  • 7.  RE: European arms and armor collections in North America

    Posted 02-24-2020 11:48 AM

    Hi Michael,

    Although I'm not sure how your'e defining 'sizable,' but I've always enjoyed the Detroit Institute of Art's collection. 

    Best,

    Marc



    ------------------------------
    Marc Levitt MLS
    Archivist
    National Naval Aviation Museum
    NAS Pensacola FL
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  • 8.  RE: European arms and armor collections in North America

    Posted 02-27-2020 02:26 PM
    Marc,
          Good thought!  I contacted the DIA, and although they found it an interesting project they were concerned about actually having people putting on armor in the galleries, and so could not host me.  Still, I am glad to have been given that lead.  Thanks!

    ------------------------------
    Michael Lamble
    Museology Graduate Program - University of Washington
    Seattle WA
    ------------------------------

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  • 9.  RE: European arms and armor collections in North America

    Posted 02-27-2020 12:47 PM
    I wanted to suggest (in line with your active trying on and wearing work) to review the many renaissance faire (fair) shows. The one we have here in Charlotte is massive as the Carolina Rennaissance Faire and contains hundreds of thousands of dollars in full armor. Much of it is hand-made. The fixed assets at this site are on the level of Disney (large buildings and castle parapets, etc.) and are not "just a few hundred tents they set up."  

    Additionally, although they are for-profit museums and experiences, a number of the "castles" (live joust shows and feasting) built across the USA offer full combat and jousting with small museums of displays. Coincidentally, they also sell a number of items for guests to take home and use/wear.


    ------------------------------
    Thank you, from Marti

    Martin CJ Mongiello, MBA, MA, MCFE.

    CEO and CMO at The United States Presidential Service Center Foundation Trusts and US Presidential Culinary Museum. White House Military Office badge number 14592, 301 Cleveland Avenue, Grover, NC 28073
    001 (704) 937-2940 

    www.PresidentialServiceCenter.org

    www.PresidentialCulinaryMuseum.org

    GM of The Inn of the Patriots country inn www.TheInnofthePatriots.com

    "Enjoy a night at the museum!"
    ------------------------------

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  • 10.  RE: European arms and armor collections in North America

    Posted 02-28-2020 02:48 PM
    This is an important and under-researched topic. I've always wondered about the private displays of arms in manors and castles, mostly in Europe, where the arms are formed into floral and other shapes. What was the purpose of the shaping?

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    Amy Levin PhD
    De Kalb IL
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  • 11.  RE: European arms and armor collections in North America

    Posted 03-02-2020 08:00 PM
    One need only go to the Governor's Palace in Colonial Williamsburg or to Inverary Castle in Scotland, pictured below (and many other European castles and great houses) to understand that great displays of arms and armor were intended as a statement of wealth and power. The ornate exhibition of swords, pistols, pole arms and muskets in arches, circles and other flourishes was intended to intimidate the caller by giving them a sense of military might and political power. Indeed the Royal Armouries in Leeds, UK have exhibited many of their collections in this manner as a nod to the historical display of arms and armour in the great historic castles, fortified towers and great homes of Europe.


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    Courtney Wilson
    Retired Executive Director
    Baltimore MD
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