A Wealth of Objects
Why do museum collections often include objects that visitors never see? Although I’m a devotee of museums from nationally known art institutions to small town historical societies, from assemblages of farm tools to medical curiosities, the question didn’t dawn on me until by happenstance I saw eight nineteenth century parlor stoves in the attic of the Connecticut Historical Society (CHS). Bequeathed to the organization in 1945, I was told by the chief curator that they had never been on display and would likely never be exhibited. I was intrigued.
Like the venerable CHS, many museums have attics, basements, and closets stuffed with materials in racks, on shelves, occupying floor space, or even hanging from the ceiling. Some have such abundance as to require offsite storage. No doubt many museums have more objects stowed away than on display.
Of course, public gallery space is precious and of limited capacity, and a surplus of artifacts allows for changing exhibits. Permanently stored materials may also include items that are damaged, can’t be authenticated, or were acquired so long ago their provenance remains a mystery to current staff, volunteers, and trustees. There may also be mission relevant items worthy of safekeeping even if they don’t rise to level of public display. The presence of such stranded or orphaned objects only amps my curiosity. What is hidden away?
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