Museums are permanent institutions in the service of society and of its development. Museums are one of the world’s best methods of preserving history for the public as a whole to see. The items or knowledge in a museum does not necessarily need to be tangible. It can also include representations of the intangible. For an example, artwork and wall paintings depicting the gods of Egypt, would count as a representation of the intangible. Museums do not necessarily have to host ancient history, either. It can be a collection of modern works, such as found in science museums around the world.

While many people associate priceless artworks as what is found in museums, there are thousands of other items that can be found, ranging from pottery to mummies and spacecraft. In some ways, Zoos even classify as living museums for species that are close to the brink of extinction.

There are hundreds upon hundreds of museums around the world. They communicate and exhibit the tangible and intangible heritage of humanity and its environment, for the purposes of education, study, and enjoyment. Among them are the Smithsonian, the National Gallery of London, the Czartoryski in Krakow, the National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C., as well as the Virtual Museum of Canada. The Virtual Museum of Canada is an excellent example of museums that specialize in the intangible.

Museums often cooperate to sponsor joint, often traveling, exhibits on particular subjects when one museum may not by itself have a collection sufficiently large or important. These exhibits have limited engagements and often depend upon an additional entry fee from the public to cover costs.

There are many guides available detailing the display items for the visitors. As well, there are also schedules for when famous works of art will be displayed. The Egyptian mummies are a great example of famous heritage pieces that travel the world, as are the Dead Sea Scrolls. Museums that host famous pieces like these are also places with some of the finest security in the world. From highly trained security guards to electronic monitoring systems, many of these high end museums have security systems that rival the most secured banks and vaults around the world.

If you are looking for activities for your family, museums are often a popular choice. There are a range of children’s museums that display history and science that is interesting to both children and adults alike. Admission fees for museum for children tend to be cheaper for children and often have family packs if the whole family is going to the museum. Museums serve children and their families while inspiring children to learn about themselves and the culturally diverse community we live in through the arts, literacy, and childhood education.

Museums collect and care for objects of scientific, artistic, or historical importance and make them available for public viewing through exhibits that may be permanent or temporary.

Peter S. Museer

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