Using Museums for Historical Research

Written in Art, Historical Fiction, Research and Writing
3 Comments - Leave a comment!

By Melissa Luttmann

Every reader loves juicy historical details, and kids are no exception. Descriptions of unfamiliar foods, interesting objects, or everyday activities are a great way to establish your setting and to interest young readers.

But how do you discover these specific historical tidbits? You can uncover them in books, of course, but I’ve found that an even better way is to head to a museum.

I’m not talking about the Smithsonian here, although you could certainly find some great information there. Instead, your best bets are likely to be small museums with very specific focuses. I’ve been road tripping in New England this past week, and I’m amazed by the wealth of information you can find if you know where to look.

If you’re searching for in-depth coverage of early American furniture, Russian icons, or African-Americans in World War II, you might want to consider heading up this way. These museums aren’t known on a national scale, but they’re some of the best resources for the areas they cover.

Museums are filled with objects you can examine all you like (though you generally can’t touch them), which is incredibly helpful when you want to write a description of one. In addition, they feature knowledgeable staff who are more than happy to answer your questions.

I’ve found that these people tend to be very passionate about their area of expertise and will often give you much more information than you asked for. But that’s okay, because you can never do too much research…right?

DISCUSSION:

What do you think about using museums to research historical fiction?

Are there any that you’ve found to be especially amazing?

Melissa Luttmann is the YA Editorial Assistant for Wonders and Marvels. You can read more about her here: Editorial Staff.

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3 Comments - Leave a comment!
  • http://historywithatwist.blogspot.com Vicky Alvear Shecter

    Hi Melissa, in my situation, my ‘go-to’ museum is the Michael C. Carlos Museum of Antiquities at Emory University. It’s an awesome place, known as a “little jewel” in the field. I have certainly interviewed curators but the coolest thing about working with a museum attached to a university is the wealth of professors available to answer questions. I couldn’t imagine doing the research without this access (not to mention the access to a university library!).

  • Pamela Toler

    I’m a big fan of doing research at museums. I love seeing the stuff, and the place. I love talking to the curators. And it’s amazing how many of them have little specialized research libraries attached.

  • Audra

    Hands down, one of the most breathtaking museums I’ve been to is the Isabella Stewart Gardner in Boston. Until visiting it, it never occurred to me that one could experience art and history without neat categories and tiny placards; but standing in one of the gorgeous ISG rooms, I felt absolutely sure I understood art the way Mrs Gardner did. Turning a corner, seeing a Sargent in a nook or a Titian tucked away, I felt like I had discovered something. It was really quite incredible.