“Those who don’t learn from history are doomed to repeat it.” George Santayana. This quote sums up the core mission of historical societies and museums across every city down to the small towns in Canada. Most people in the world want nothing to do with relics from the past and are obsessed with what’s new. After all, why would you want to learn about some old guy that died long ago or look at old furniture? Well, there’s plenty to learn from observing the past that could have a significant impact on your future. Here are a few ways museums and historical societies help their local communities.
Preserving Local Heritage
Out with old in with the new! Is what most people have been saying since the dawn of time. However, there’s a lot to learn from viewing the way things worked in the past. This information could even help you with current challenges and in the future. Such organizations collect old records, photos and artefacts for by-gone eras. They also facilitate educational tours and round the table discussions on the local communities’ past that could influence the future.
Tourist Attractions
Tourists come for the attractions but stay a little longer for the culture. Local museums provide them with an opportunity to observe and absorb culture more effectively than any other attraction. Such venues allow them to see their destination’s rich history and learn from the experience. They also get to have fun while exploring, and they even buy souvenirs made by local artists to take home. They carry not just their memories but a piece of your town’s history as well.
Supporting Local Art Programs
Aside from displaying and selling local artist’s works, such organizations can have an impact on future artists. The arts have taken a back foot to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics). Governments are providing less money for school art programs. This gap leaves many future artists at risk of drifting aimlessly through life. Museums could give kids exposure to art, culture and history. This fills the growing gap left by school art programs.
They Connect People
Historical societies and museums conduct community outreach programs to get more information. These include facilitating community discussions, artistic collaborations and excursions to various sites. This allows diverse groups of people to work together towards a common goal. Such activities also connect us to our ancestors because we get to learn about how they lived and made it through impossible odds. Visitors also get a personal connection to the local heritage.