(Mis)representations of History: Displays of Difficult History in Oregon Community Museums
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Date
2018-06-06
Authors
Engel, Isabel
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Abstract
In Oregon, the vast majority of community museums are history museums focusing on local
history. According to the Oregon Museums Association, of the 58 museums registered with
them, 52 of those museums are focused on local and regional history. These museums have
largely focused on pioneer history and display how white Europeans settled the land. While
this is one aspect of Oregon history, many Oregon community museums fail to display
difficult histories, or history that recalls trauma, oppression and/or violence. With current
museology focusing on the diversification of exhibits through the inclusion of difficult
histories, there is an apparent disconnect between this research and actual practice in
Oregon museums. In this research project, I critically analyze visual representations at eleven
(11) Oregon community history museums through site observations, document analysis and
with three (3) of the museums, through interviews of curators and/or museum directors. I
argue that as important sites of history and community outreach, these museums miss
opportunities to educate the public and include minorities that have largely been left out of
the Oregon narrative.
Description
75 pages
Keywords
Difficult knowledge, Museology, Oregon, Exhibits, Critical inquiry, Observations, Interviews, History museums, Difficult histories