Museums are more than just buildings; they are keepers of time. By collecting specimens and objects, museums preserve moments of history for study today and for important discoveries many years from now.
But you don’t need to be a scientist or a historian to be a curator. Most of us are already collectors at home! Whether you have a closet full of sports jerseys, a shelf of unicorn stuffies, a massive Lego collection, or a jar of unique rocks and shells, we all surround ourselves with things that bring us joy and hold special meaning.
Since we are all spending more time at home, why not turn those treasures into your own exhibit? Here is how you can become a Museum Maker.
Step 1: Create Your Exhibit
The first step in "museuming" is organization. Gather your collection in one space and prepare it for a guided tour.
- Display with Care: Make sure each piece can be easily seen. Leave space between objects so they don't look crowded. A classic museum trick is to place larger objects behind smaller ones so nothing is hidden.
- The Accession Process: When a museum gets a new object, it is accessioned. This means it’s given a unique number to keep things organized. This number often includes the date it was collected.
- Write Your Labels: Use small pieces of paper to create labels for each object. Write down what the object is, where it came from, and its new accession number.
Step 2: Build a Museum Diorama
If you want to take your exhibit to the next level, try building a diorama. Natural History Museums use these to recreate scenes from nature, like a prehistoric dinosaur landscape or a local forest filled with deer and birds.
- Set the Stage: Find a cardboard shoebox, a cereal box, or an old tissue box to reuse as your museum display case.
- Create the Background: Decide on your scene. Is it under the sea? In a busy city? Use colored paper, markers, or even cut-outs from old magazines to decorate the back and sides of your box.
- Place Your Characters: You can draw and color plants and animals to glue inside. Pro tip: Leave a 2 cm tab of paper at the bottom of your drawing, fold it back, and tape it to the floor of the box to make your figures stand upright. You can also use Lego figures, toy animals, or action figures to populate your scene!
Step 3: Give the Grand Tour
Once your display is set and your diorama is complete, you are ready for your visitors! You can give a tour to a family member in person or host a virtual tour for friends. As you lead your guests through the "galleries," consider sharing:
- Why you started this specific collection.
- Which object is your absolute favorite and why.
- What you look for when you are choosing a new piece to add.
- Where you usually keep these items when they aren't on display.
Show Us Your Work!
We want to see your museum-quality displays! Share your dioramas and collections on social media by tagging us or using the hashtag #MuseumMaker.
Happy collecting and have fun building!