A Museum is a place where you can see, learn, and enjoy a collection of artifacts. These objects may be historic or culturally important. Most public museums make these items available for public viewing, and exhibits are sometimes temporary or permanent. There are many different types of museums. You can visit the ones in your area to learn about the history of your region.
The concept of a museum is as old as mankind itself, tracing its history to ancient Greek and Roman civilizations. Greek pinakothekes housed paintings dedicated to the gods. Romans also had public displays of art. The great Museum of Alexandria was built by Ptolemy I Soter in the 3rd century bce. It resembled more of a prototype university than a museum. But in the 15th century, the word “museum” was revived and used to describe Lorenzo de’ Medici’s collection in Florence. It was used to convey a sense of completeness.
The ICOM definition of a museum refers to a non-profit, public institution that acquires, preserves, interprets, and communicates the intangible cultural heritage of a society. In some cases, a museum may be used as a community facility to attract tourism to a region or a city. It can also serve as an institution to spread civic pride and nationalistic values. It can even be used to promote overtly political ideas. Although the definition of a museum varies by country and region, the goal is the same: to preserve and interpret a material aspect of society’s cultural consciousness.
A museum is typically run by a director. A curatorial staff organizes exhibits and cares for museum objects. Large museums may also have education and research departments.