Museum

Museum

A Museum is an institution that conserves, collects, and displays a collection of artifacts and other objects of artistic, cultural, historical, or scientific importance. Many public museums make these items available for public viewing through exhibits that may be permanent or temporary. The largest museums are located in major cities throughout the world, while thousands of local museums exist in smaller cities, towns, and rural areas.

History

The word museum comes from the Ancient Greek Mouseion, which denotes a place or temple dedicated to the Muses (the patron divinities in Greek mythology of the arts). The museums of ancient times, such as the Museum of Alexandria, were private and only available to the public on a very limited basis.

Types of Museums

Museums vary in their nature and the types of collections they hold, ranging from large art museums such as the Louvre Museum in Paris to small history museums in towns and villages worldwide. Some museums focus on a specific subject, such as the American Museum of Natural History, which focuses on natural history collections and exhibits.

Art Museums

An Art museum or art gallery is a space for the exhibition of art, usually in the form of art objects from the visual arts, primarily paintings, illustrations, and sculptures. Collections may also include other types of works, such as decorative arts, textiles, costumes, and historical artifacts.

History Museums

History museums cover the knowledge of history and its relevance to the present and future. Some cover specific national history, some cover regional history, some may be about a specific historical event, and others may be about an aspect of cultural history.

Science Museums

Science museums and technology centers revolve around scientific achievements, and marvels and their history. They are designed to promote interest in science and are typically geared towards children and young adults.

Functions of Museums

Museums have various functions, including collecting, preserving, researching, and displaying objects of interest for the purposes of education or entertainment. They also serve as important research sites for scholars and researchers.

See Also

• List of museums
• Museum education
• Virtual museum
• Museum of Alexandria