Here are more thoughts --

I like the idea of an exhibit on work-- occupations, trades, labor. Possibly
explore the way work and industry are tied to geography. And on the flip
side, how 'bout an exhibit on recreation -- looking at the health movement
of the nineteenth century, the development of public parks, organized
sports, could even get into the political phenomenon of the soccer mom.

I also think an exhibit on celebrations would be fun. I vaguely remember
seeing an exhibit on the Rites of Passage(?)in the mid 90s(?). I think it
was in Philadelphia. Anyway, the exhibit looked at ways different cultures
celebrated milestone events.

Cheers,

Jean Wortman
Program Officer
Maryland Humanities Council
108 West Centre Street
Baltimore, MD 21201-4565
Phone: 410-685-4187
Fax: 410-685-0795
[log in to unmask]
www.mdhc.org



-----Original Message-----
From: Museum on Main Street [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of
Michelle Quisenberry
Sent: Wednesday, May 30, 2007 3:27 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: MoMs possible exhibits..

Hello Everyone,

Here's my two cents' worth regarding exhibition ideas for the MoMS program.
As Gregory suggested, I believe too that an exhibit showing immigration
patterns and their effects would be an ideal way of showing what
contributions immigrants have made at every level (national, state and
local) of American life, as well as some of the problems and
tensions created by immigration.   It's not just a cliche, but the U.S.
really IS a nation of immigrants, from well before the recorded history
right up to the present day.  Everywhere we look we can see the traces of
each wave of immigration, and each and every region could have its own part
of the story.  And the exhibit could refer back to the origins of each
immigrant group and the reasons for their leaving, whether it be forced or
voluntary, or for economic, religious or political reasons.
Until recently, the immigrant story has centered on successive waves of
Europeans coming through Ellis Island, but the most dramatic new wave, as
you know, is coming up from the south, from Mexico and Central America, not
to mention less publicized movements of people from Africa and Asia.  Of
course, the saga really began with America's native peoples crossing the
land bridge from Asia in ancient times.  This would be a very ambitious
undertaking, but maybe it could be broken down into more manageable parts.

Somewhat related and maybe not as contentious, but really more about
internal migration in the United States, could be an exhibit called "Ghost
Towns", communities that have been bypassed by "progress",  towns where the
mine closed or the military base shut down or were forgotten by the railroad
or the superhighway.  Did they just dry up and blow away?  Or did they come
up with some creative or enterprising response?
This kind of exhibit could be not only of historical interest, but might
have some useful lessons for today.

I very much like the idea too of the American Workday for an exhibit that
could include the history of organized labor from its inception to how they
operate today and the impact they have had on the workplace.

Ciao!

K. Michelle Quisenberry
New Mexico Humanities Council
Program Officer