Museums

Mary Ann

From the beginning of civilizations, humans have been hoarders or to say in a kinder way, packrats.  Luckily, it has been a blessing, and we have museums all over the world to prove it.  The Pharaohs took everything with them for the afterlife.  Instead, it has given us today a view of what life was like for the select few in ancient times.  Thank you, King Tut!

We all know the big museums like the Smithsonian museums, The Metropolitan or Nature History Museum in NYC, The British Museum in London, or the Louvre in Paris.  We all want to see the Mona Lisa at the Louvre – surprise, it was kind of small.  I walked by the Rosetta Stone at the British Museum several times until I asked a guard where it was.  It was also small.  How could several languages be on such a small slab of stone?  I thought it should be the size of a wall with such information.  Wrong again.  Then there are the dinosaur exhibits which are so prevalent at the world’s museums.  I have always loved seeing dinosaurs.  I think that most people do.  The dinosaur halls are always jammed and not only with children. 

One of the gifts of travel is the chance to see museums that are around the world, and those museums connect us to each other and our common humanity.  I remember years ago going to the Hellenic National Archaeological Museum in Athens, Greece.  They had a newly opened Children’s Museum. It was about children rather than for children.  It was fascinating to see how much in common today’s children had with children from 4000 years ago.  They had potty chairs and sippy cups.  The children played with small animals and balls that were captured in sculptures of the time.  Children remain the same.  A good lesson for us all – basically, we haven’t changed much.  

Museums can move you emotionally in both sad and joyous ways.  Anne Frank’s House in Amsterdam is an example.  I was surprised to find how big the attic space was.  As I read Anne’s diary, I had pictured the families in just a couple tiny rooms.  They were more spacious than imagined, but it was still confining to live silently for years.  You can only feel that by standing in the exact rooms.  Visiting Auschwitz in Poland, there is a solemn atmosphere surrounding the camp.  Walking into the showers and seeing the ovens stays with you.  How could humans treat other humans in such brutal ways?  Museums help us to remember.

As sad as some of the museums are, there are many more that brings great joy!  What could be better than looking at Monet waterlilies in the L’Orangeries in Tuileries Gardens in Paris.  Giant waterlilies!  It is breathtaking!  The Musee Marmottan Monet is on a quiet street in Paris, and it houses the largest collection of Monets in the world.  It is not a busy museum so you can take your time sitting and soaking in the masterpieces. By now you know that I love Monet.  Throughout the world, there are many museums that focus on the work of one artist.  You learn so much visiting each one, and you will be ready for the next game of Jeopardy!

Then there are outdoor museums like the ones in Scandinavia where you can see anything from a baby moose to handicrafts and replicas of ancient dwellings.  You get to walk around outside learning about the various cultures. There are sculpture gardens, and as you walk on winding paths through the woods, you see great works of art nestled into the landscape.  I have been to Millesgarden in Sweden and Grounds for Sculpture in New Jersey.  All fun!

However, my favorite museums are the quirky ones throughout the world. I am always looking for them when traveling.  In England there was a dog collar museum in Leeds, England – the kind that a big Mastiff might wear with pointed metal “teeth”.   A favorite was the Mummified Crocodile Museum in Egypt (featured below).  The Egyptians mummified crocodiles to honor the god Sobek.  The pharaohs took everything with them and maybe even the kitchen sink.  I guess they thought they would need crocodiles in the afterlife??  Drum roll!!! The most unique museum I ever found was The Icelandic Phallological Museum in Reykjavik.  Yes, a penis museum! It is like you have finally seen everything.  So, I am wishing you some great discoveries as you visit museums around the world. You never know what you might find along the way.  Maybe even a Pharaoh’s kitchen sink?