Speaker: Richard introduced our guest speaker. Lillian Scales is a fashion and textile historian and the Administrative & Fund Development Assistant at the Colchester Historeum. She is a graduate of Mount Allison University, and earned her masters degree in Dress and Textile Histories in 2017 from the University of Glasgow in Scotland, where she also completed a work placement at the Victoria & Albert Museum in London, UK. She is a Peer Reviewer for the Museum Scholar (an online journal), and is currently completing a Professional Specialization Certificate in Collections Management from the University of Victoria. Lillian has been a member of our club since Sept 2019.

 

Lillian gave an excellent presentation on the workings of museums and on how artifacts are accepted, conserved and displayed.  She provided insights into museums via an FAQ.  For example; Why are some items accepted for collection and others are not?  She explained that each museum has a defined mandate for it's collection and that if an item is outside that mandate, or a duplicate of what they already have, it may not be accepted.

 

The Colchester Historeum is concerned with the life and times of the local area and an item that did not have a local connection, would not likely be found in their collection.  It may be valuable elsewhere.. just not for this purpose.

 

When it comes to exhibits Lillian explained that the process for deciding on and preparing an exhibition is long term.  It is at least a 5 year cycle for major exhibits. During that time society can change and what was once considered acceptable to exhibit can now seem insensitive, raciest or have elements of social appropriation that create controversy. The whole issue of artifact repatriation is now a major topic for large as well as small museums.   

 

The final area of museums that Lillian touched on is conservation of the artifact.  The best conservation is one that is invisible to those viewing the object and this takes skill and money.  Most small museums do not have full time professional conservators but practice preservation conservation trying to maintain objects in as good a condition as possible using techniques such as using climate control, wrapping in acid free paper and wearing proper gloves when handling.

  

While programs at the Historeum are currently on pause and the building is closed to visitors, some work continues inside and once the situation stabilizes, the club is invited to a behind the scenes tour of the workings of the museum. 

 

After several excellent questions Lillian was thanked by the chair.

Happy Mug: There were a number of Happy Rotarians.  Remember that if you express a happy thought, you are on the honour system (4 Way Test) and should track what you owe and make a payment to the club when you have accumulated an amount that seems right to you. Just send your payment to etrct0949@gmail.com and indicate in the comment field that it is for the Fun Fines.

Closing: With no further business the meeting closed at 1:02pm