Museums in Motion: An Introduction to the History and Functions of Museums

by Edward P. Alexander, Mary Alexander

In 1979, Edward P. Alexander's Museums in Motion was hailed as a much-needed addition to the museum literature. In combining the history of museums since the eighteenth century with a detailed examination of the function of museums and museum workers in modern society, it served as an essential resource for those seeking to enter to the museum profession and for established professionals looking for an expanded understanding of their own discipline.

Now, Mary Alexander has produced a newly revised edition of the classic text, bringing it the twenty-first century with coverage of emerging trends, resources, and challenges. New material also includes a discussion of the children's museum as a distinct type of institution and an exploration of the role computers play in both outreach and traditional in-person visits.

Genres: Nonfiction, Museums, Museology, History, Art, Anthropology, Reference

366 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 1978

About the author

Edward Porter Alexander was a famed museum administrator, historian and educator. Born in Keokuk, Iowa, he earned degrees at Drake University, the University of Iowa, and Columbia. After spending a decade working at various state historical societies, he served from 1946 to 1972 as a vice-president for interpretation at Colonial Williamsburg. He moved on to found the Museum Studies program at the University of Delaware, and to author several books on the history and function of the museum in America.

Reviews

[John]

I will admit to reading this book with a feeling of trepidation. The first edition, published in 1979, is a classic in the museum studies literature, and by far the best single book about museums ever written. Although the original was outdated, there is always a huge risk when you mess with a classic. But have no fear, Mary Alexander has done a fantastic job of updating her father's book. The new Museums in Motion remains the single best book about museums, a terrific introduction for neophytes, and a wonderful refresher for experienced museum professionals. M. Alexander has kept her father's voice and lively style throughout the book, making it also an excellent book to had out to board members and the general public who wish to better understand museums. It is not a comprehensive history of museums, nor a how-to guide, but rather an explanation of what museums are and how they function. The "Challenges" sections that M. Alexander has added to each chapter provide simulating points for discussion at any level of museum expertise or interest. Museums in Motion is both informative and charming, easy-to-read and stimulating.

[Tracy Pham]

A great textbook to start off with to understand the basic fundamentals and functions of a museum. However, I do wish there were more historical information included about some of the museums that were mentioned that way readers can have a mental timeline of which museum institutions were established.

I also love how the textbook included what Challenges museums go through and are striving to improve in those areas. There are many big name museums that are doing financially well that seem immune to some struggles yet there are some problems that they may face just the same as smaller museums.

[Carla Barroso]

It's been a while since I've read a whole book! Since September all I seem to be reading are articles for my master's degree. Well, this one was also for studying but still... a book!

This book is subtitled "An introduction to the History and Functions of Museums" and it does just that. In 13 chapters, divided in two parts, the authors present the history of different types of museum, from art museums to zoos, as well as the functions and how they are pursued in different institutions. It mostly dwells on American examples but it's still interesting to learn a more about the subject.

[KT]

The book gives a basic overview of some functions of the museum. Unfortunately, most of the book is comprised of example after example without actually discussing the concept. For instance, when speaking of memorial museums the authors did not give an explanation of what these types of museums were. Instead, they provided paragraphs worth of examples of memorial museums.

[Nat Baldino]

Read for Introduction to Museum Studies, my professor's father wrote the book.

[caroline]

Seriously dated.

[Dan]

Read this for a museums seminar. Sprinkled with post-modern malarkey, but still a valuable aid for understanding the processes and inner workings of museums.

[William Dwiggins]

I read the third edition for a class. It changed a lot about my outlook on the purpose of Art and Museums. Even if you're not an academic, it's worth checking out.

[Brian Hutzell]

Your basic textbook: informative but dry. Still, a nice resource to have around for anyone interested in museums.

[Lacey In The Library]

Museums in Motion came to my attention as it was required reading for a course that I took (Introduction to Museums through Arizona State University). Due to that fact, I had not read any reviews or had any recommendations regarding it and didn't know what to expect.

The information in the book is good. For the most part the chapters are relevant to the topic and provide insightful material. I actually learned quite a bit. However, there are a large number of examples given in each chapter that are very detailed. While this is probably helpful to some, I found that it bogged down the progress of learning as I felt as if I were wading through a sea of details when all I really needed was the main point and perhaps a few light examples. Most of the bulk of this work could be relocated to a glossary in a highly edited revision.

This book could be a useful resource and functioned well enough as a textbook, but as much as I derive pleasure from educational reading, I would not recommend this book for casual reading.

[Skuli Saeland]

I liked how the Alexanders write about what museums do and the problems they face in the future. The first part of the book was all right as an introduction to the beginnings and how the museums began to evolve but I did not find the connection between the first and second part of the book smooth. Actually they felt like two totally different books.

[Meredith]

I liked the historical overview of different types of museums and the broad inclusion of categories. Decent coverage of many issues, with examples from both European and US museums. Some aspects a bit dated, but I was reading the first edition. I'd be interested to see what changed in later editions.

[Lucy]

An interesting history of the museum as an institution, investigating the various different types of museums and some of the more famous/more celebrated of each. A bit outdated now, but still a good introduction.

[MK]

Half history book, half manual, all comprehensive.

[Karin]

A great complement to Alexander's "Museum Masters". A must-read for anyone trying to understand the evolution of museology.

[Timothy]

Nice introduction to museum studies.

[Shay McCoy]

Absolutely cannot wait to have a career in the museum profession <3