Date of Award
6-1997
Degree Name
Master of Arts
Department
Anthropology
First Advisor
Dr. Erika Loeffler
Second Advisor
Dr. Ann Miles
Third Advisor
Dr. Art Helweg
Access Setting
Masters Thesis-Open Access
Abstract
This study investigates the interrelationship between the museum, its mission, and its visitors. The history of museums in general and the Kalamazoo Valley Museum in particular shows how the mission developed in relationship to culture, community, and individuals. Observations and ethnographic interviews of visitors and staff, as well as drawings made by school children who had visited the museum were used to identify viewers' perceptions of the museum and its mission. The museum is guided by an official stated mission as well as various staff and administrative interpretations of the mission. Although the museum and its mission have changed through time according to changing contexts, visitors understand the museum by bringing exhibits into their own personal framework of experiences and expectations. This work contributes to other research in the area of museum and visitor studies and offers feedback to the Kalamazoo Valley Museum as to the success of its efforts.
Recommended Citation
King, Lynnette Z., "History, Mission, and Visitors at the Kalamazoo Valley Museum in Kalamazoo, Michigan: A Study of the Museum as Cultural Practice" (1997). Masters Theses. 3468.
https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/masters_theses/3468