Great History Exhibits

I wish to register vigorous disagreement with Peter Rebernik's line, 'It should not be the task of a museum scientist to write the inscriptions [labels?], not even to do the exhibition at all.' In the first place, I reject that kind of didacticism. I get a little tired of having people placed in narrowly defined pigeonholes, and hearing rules that occupations shouldn't be allowed to deviate from predetermined roles. This flies in the face of the vaunted teamwork which is supposed to prevail in institutions such as museums nowadays. In the first place, there are 'museum scientists,' curators, and other specialists who are fine writers and communicators, and there is no reason they should be discouraged from writing exhibition labels. The simple expedient of review by a professional editor can ensure that exhibit text is reasonably comprehensible to anticipated audiences and of reasonably consistent style, no matter who writes the first draft. I have seen so much incorrect, inept writing about my field by non-experts

Thank you, David. Well said.

At 11:06 AM 12-05-98 -0400, David Haberstich wrote: Anne T. Lane Curatorial Assistant Museum of York County 4621 Mount Gallant Road Rock Hill, SC 29715 803-329-2121, ext 104

Thank you David Haberstich.

The co-operative/collaborative models with which scientists (Scandinavian models) work, are formulated to ensure scholarship and to prevent errors and 'gaffes'. The team approach to exhibition design in all is aspects, should be an example of that co-operative/collaborative model, which does include the experts. David, you get my vote.

Dave Wells Quinault National Museum Project Olympia WA