Edison and Ford Winter Estates, Ft Meyers, FL
Object
: Share the famous homes, inventions, and histories of Thomas Edison and Henry Ford.
Idea
: A separate arrival center (located across the street) provides parking, orientation, and a narrative overview, explaining how these two famous men and their families came to become neighbors and innovative colleagues. Their houses and workshop buildings are open to the air: the doors and windows swung wide open, and viewing the interiors is achieved through low and transparent barriers.
An audio-wand program facilitates the self-guided tours and recalls many of the memories of living at the estates and humanizes these larger-than-life men and their families. Clear walkways and a good map keep visitors from wandering too much and impacting the historic integrity of the site.
The Strong and National Museum of Play, Rochester, NY
Object
: Be a national museum but serve a mostly local visitorship.
Idea
: Many of the exhibits are playful, adventurous, and highly interactive – like a children’s museum.
Kids can come often and let their imaginations run. An ambitious program of changing exhibitions and a living butterfly house ensure there’s always something emerging. Then there is the National Toy Hall of Fame — a collections-based display of popular playthings ranging from Lincoln Logs to Barbie Dolls to sticks-turned-fishing poles, slingshots, and marshmallow roasters. Commonly heard from young and old at the Toy Hall of Fame: “Hey! I played with that!”
Micanopy Museum, Micanopy, Florida
Object
: Attract museum visitors who have been lured close to the museum by nearby shopping.
Idea
: Seek a pittance donation for entry. Be located on the beaten path. Promote perusal, touching, and comparing – a true shopping experience. And then “merchandise the museum” by focusing on charismatic objects interpreted through simple, browsable fact, legend and lore.
Object
: Be as relevant as you can all the time.
Idea
: Anchor the museum with a thematic and chronological gallery of object-based exhibitions with richly appealing displays of real things. Create beautiful moments of respite. Offer encounters with artifacts, history, and art: the things people think of when they hear the word “museum.” Season the authentic experience with interactive simulation elements and audiovisual media. Juxtapose this experience with a highly ambitious program of flexible displays. We saw an exhibit about the anniversary of a great wildfire, one on the Day of the Dead (during our October visit), and one on the legacy of John Muir.
Peabody Essex Museum, Salem, MA
Object
: Keep the locals coming.
Idea
: Make the museum free for all residents who share the museum's zip code. Lure them time and time again with dynamic programs and events — something new every 6 months. Feature world-class exhibitions. Have a kick-butt gift shop and good food.