What is the Value of a Museum?

What is the worth of a museum and ultimately is there any value in having and preserving a museum? Perhaps, before that question can be fully answered, the definition of what a museum is should be fully understood.

The original meaning of a museum came from the Greeks and meant an edifice connected to the Muses. This was to be place of learning and for the arts, where the cultivation of education, especially in the arts, was encouraged and enhanced. To understand the kind of education and learning that the Greeks had in mind, one should remember that math was at one time considered part of the arts.

Today there are many different kinds of museums. Some examples are museums that feature natural history, or science and technology, history, or art collections. Some museums are considered multidisciplinary and feature a variety of displays in arts, culture, and sciences. The University of Oxford was the first organization to establish a public museum in the tradition that we are now familiar with. This started a trend of displaying private collections of outstanding artwork to the public.

In modern times, museums have become known for their educational qualities as well as sources of beauty and information.

In today’s world of fast information and economic uncertainty, there are those that question why money should be spent for museum upkeep when one can find information so readily on the Internet. Is a museum really worth the cost in manpower and continual diligence and upkeep?

The answer to these questions is the fact that although the Internet is a valuable tool, it cannot take the place of real life experience. There is no way to see what a real Van Gogh actually looks like; it can only be experienced in person.

It is said that Irish Monks saved Western Civilization by keeping detailed records. An outstanding museum may someday do the same.