Ed,

We actually are doing somewhat that type of thing now here at SUNY 
Potsdam. Rather than being a museum in the sense of being opened and 
closed at particular times, ours is a type of thing that is in an open 
space of one of our large classroom buildings, and thus it can be viewed 
anytime the building is open. There will be many permanent displays, 
with opportunities to expand the history, as it happens, with computer 
stations, where "online exhibits" will allow for future expansion, 
without having to redo the whole exhibit, as well as allow for 
highlighting of information in more detail for things already 
represented in the exhibit. We also expect to have some audio buttons 
etc. where excerpts from historical performances of the Crane School of 
Music can be heard, as well as other kinds of things.

Our exhibit designer is Peter Shrope, who designed the Maryland Science 
Center in Baltimore. We were extremely fortunate that he happens to be 
in our area, and that he was willing to work with our particular 
staffing situation. The college has done a fundraiser to help fund the 
cost of this project, but most of the actual research, writing, etc. is 
being done by a large number of volunteers, which include alumni, 
faculty, and staff. Although there are some down sides to relying on 
volunteers and a large number of them, things have gone actually quite 
well. Many have done an outstanding job, and there have been fewer holes 
to fill in than we expected. It has been a plus in some ways to have so 
many people in and using our archives, and many have become addicted to 
learning more about the college's history. Some of the researchers have 
passed on much useful information to me, compiling useful information in 
a useable form from their hours of examining documents, yearbooks, the 
college newspaper, etc.

Our physical plant is renovating the physical space this summer, and an 
area BOCES is also involved in the project, with their students (under 
direction of Peter Shrope and our physical plant staff) constructing all 
of the columns to be used for all the exhibit panels.


The planning involved for the project took about a year, the research 
phase and additional planning has taken most of this academic year, and 
we are now in the production phase of the actual exhibit panels. We are 
planning the grand opening for Alumni Weekend in early July 2007.

The plan for use of this space is multiple - for alumni and their 
gatherings, for admissions tours, for events, etc. It is also planned as 
a comfortable space for students, faculty, and staff to relax in, and 
parts of the space will include tables and chairs. The tables will have 
checkerboards on them, encouraging chess and checker games.

Jane Subramanian
SUNY Potsdam College Archivist

 Edward Galvin wrote:

>I've looked over our archives but have not had any luck finding
>information on this issue.
>
>Syracuse University is looking into creating a permanent museum on
>campus that would highlight the history of the university from 1870 to
>the present.  I am wondering if anyone knows of any other
>college/university that has done this?  I'm not talking about a library
>gallery, a temporary display or exhibit, but a real
>wander-through-and-learn interactive museum that would be of interest to
>returning alumni or prospective students.
>
>Thanks in advance for the help.
>
>Ed Galvin
>
>Edward L. Galvin, Director
>Archives and Records Management
>Syracuse University
>6th Floor,  E. S. Bird Library
>Syracuse, NY  13244-2010
>315-443-9760
>315-443-4053 (fax)
>[log in to unmask]
>http://archives.syr.edu/
>
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-- 

Jane M. Subramanian                  Phone: (315) 267-3326
F.W. Crumb Library                     Fax: (315) 267-2744
SUNY Potsdam                          E-mail: [log in to unmask]
Potsdam, N.Y. 13676

A posting from the Archives & Archivists LISTSERV List sponsored by the Society of American Archivists, www.archivists.org.
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