A museum is a not-for-profit institution that collects, preserves, researches, interprets and exhibits tangible and intangible heritage in service to society. It is an educational, recreational and cultural space open to all, where learning takes place in a variety of ways, from hands-on exploration to scholarly research. Museums also contribute to social and economic development, foster community engagement and support diversity.
Museums come in many shapes and sizes, from urban art galleries to rural ecomuseums. Some are famous for their spectacular architecture, while others are renowned for their transcendent exhibitions that make you think differently about the world. Museums are also at the forefront of bringing history to life for young people, introducing them to cultures that might otherwise remain invisible to them.
The word museum originated in Europe in the 17th century to describe collections of curiosities, such as Ole Worm’s collection in Copenhagen and John Tradescant’s in Lambeth (now a London borough). By the 19th century the term was being used for museums in general, referring to an institution dedicated to the preservation of cultural materials and made available to the public.
Today’s museums are more than just places to look and learn; they are vibrant centres of research, education and innovation that are changing the world. Many are finding new ways to tell the stories of their collections and reach audiences beyond their doors, through augmented reality apps, virtual tours, online trails and digital downloads.
While some museums struggle to be relevant in our modern world, others are thriving and making the most of the opportunities that technology presents. The top 10 most-visited museums are testaments to the fact that visitors are looking for more than just historical preservation.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art in Manhattan and the National Museum of China in Beijing rank first and second in terms of overall visitor numbers, according to Statista. The Museum of Fine Arts in Boston and the National Museum of Natural History in Washington round out the top five.
Some of the most visited museums in the world are rethinking their purpose and how they engage with their audiences. The National Museum of African American History and Culture, for example, recently removed a noose from its exhibit on the history of Jim Crow lynchings after the museum’s former director said it was a “symbol of extreme violence against black Americans.”
While the decision to remove the noose has been met with widespread disapproval, the museum is standing by its decision to highlight an important part of America’s past. The museum’s new chief curator says it is committed to telling all of its complex and sometimes uncomfortable stories, even if those stories cause controversy. Those stories are just as necessary to tell now as ever.