Do you like Museums?

[Damien]

Do you like Museums?

I have come to the conclusion that I detest them, I was in the British Museum today and I simply couldn't comprehend why people were fascinated.

I like history but everything in there seemed so stale, devoid of context and emotion. Just old objects sitting there. It's hard bring the history to life when it's simply the objects and not the people and events....

[Mick Fisher]

I visited The British Museum once as a boy many years ago with my Father. I can't remember much about it now but I remember feeling exactly as you describe.

[Uncle Peter]

Yes but only for areas of specific interest, ie: Roman, Egyptian and Anglo Saxon periods. Wandering up and down aisles of dead butterflies and birds nailed to a board for example really doesn't interest me.

[Halcyon]

It depends on the museum and the different things the museum has in it.

[danielf]

I misread the title. Thought it said: 'Do you like muslims'. I then wondered if Damien had morphed into Gary...

To answer the question: It depends on the museum. Some are great, some are boring, depending on your interests.

[wigro]

I like museums now my children have grown up , it used to be twenty mins rushing round the displays then an hour in the gift shop .

[Cobbydaler]

As people have said, it depends on the museum.

National Media Museum is great as is the V&A.

One thing I do hate is museums with interactive exhibits that are broken. It seems all too prevalent...

[idi banashapan]

unfortunately, the objects are the only things we have, as the people and events have long since gone in most cases. personally, I love museums, as does my daughter. I find it facinating reading about what things were, how and why they came to be and what influences they have had on us all. I love the Natural History Museum and the Science Museum in London. Been to them many a time. the life of the museum does have to be supplied by yourself some of the time. it makes it easier when you have a child with you, because you can get them excited and interested in the artifacts. I love giving my daughter a brief history or description of things and watching her eyes light up as she begins to think about the objects for herself. Young minds are amazing - the amount of information they take in. there's nothing nicer than teaching her something new and different outside of the confinds of school walls. Museums are a fantastic catalyst for that.

[rogerdraig]

hmm they can seem like that but i think its because most try to see the museum as a whole place where really to be interesting it needs to be about what you are already interested in

for example my mum cares little for cars but if your a petrol head really interested in old viechles then going to a car museum may well be your idea of heaven your imagination and knowledge bring to life those still bits of metal

with the bigger museums i think people tend to go and try and find something interesting there is where it can be very disapointing

[Maggy J]

Depends on what your interests are Damien.

Maybe you should go and look and the Design Museum not far from Tower Bridge..It's technology section might suit you...

Myself I tend to visit specific exhibitions at the V&A and at the various art galleries and museums..because my passion is Art.Loved the National Portrait Gallery last year as I discovered the portrait below of Pompey's most well known fan...

However I did enjoy my visit to the Design Museum..investigated touch screen PCs there about 25 years ago..

I also enjoyed my visit to the Bramah Tea and Coffee Museum but then I'm a potter as well and making teapots that work and are beautiful is an art..That's on the opposite side of the Thames to the Design Museum.

I suppose you are too old for the London Dungeons Museum though. But you might like Bletchley Park

[superbiatch]

Originally Posted by Halcyon

It depends on the museum and the different things the museum has in it.

Precisely.

Two favourites of mine are the Science Museum (London) and the Museum of Film and Photography (Bradford, partly because my uncle is a curator there).

[Uncle Peter]

Imperial War Museum Duxford

Anyone from the plane spotter thread or remotely interested in militaria it's a no brainer. We go every year, sometimes twice a year.

Midland Air Museum near Coventry is well worth a visit. Where else can you pop inside a Vulcan bomber for a look around

RAF Museum at Cosford is also excellent. Their Cold War exhibition is definitely the highlight.

[Stuart]

Originally Posted by superbiatch

Precisely.

Two favourites of mine are the Science Museum (London) and the Museum of Film and Photography (Bradford, partly because my uncle is a curator there).

Agreed. It does depend on the museum. One thing I like about the Science Museum is it has a lot of interactive exhibits, some of which make good use of modern technology to get their point across, and maybe make the person looking at the exhibit think..

I went to the National History Museum a few times on Saturdays while I was at boarding school & joined in some of the workshops they ran - it was great fun & really interesting - almost like a 'treasure hunt' researching specific topics using the museum's resources.

They still do stuff like that, afaik ..

[haydnwalker]

My wife and I went to the British Museum in June - and it had some nice looking stuff in it, but it was so busy, but I'm not interested in the history, and would have much rather gone to the Science Museum. But alas it was the closest within walking distance