Making History: Makerspaces for Museums and Historic Sites

Makerspace in Museums: Hands-On History in Museums and Historic Sites highlights the importance of the Maker Movement for museums and historic sites, offering a roadmap to building, planning, researching, and using a makerspace alongside traditional museum programming. It calls for a revitalization of living history through makerspaces and the maker movement, creating sustainable makerspaces that will help museums and historic sites reach new audiences and create growth.

Format: Hardback
Length: 134 pages
Publication date: 15 May 2023
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield

The maker movement in libraries and schools has gained significant momentum in recent years, but it has largely remained outside of the museum world. However, Makerspace in Museums: Hands-On History in Museums and Historic Sites highlights the importance of the Maker Movement for these institutions and provides a roadmap for building, planning, researching, and using a makerspace alongside more traditional museum programming.

One of the key reasons why museums and makerspaces are a natural fit together is that they both share a passion for hands-on learning and creativity. Makerspaces provide a space for individuals to explore their interests and create tangible objects, while museums offer a wealth of historical artifacts and knowledge. By combining these two elements, museums can create immersive and interactive experiences that engage visitors of all ages and backgrounds.

To organize and create a makerspace in a museum of any budget, it is important to start by identifying the specific needs and interests of the community. This can be done through surveys, focus groups, and community meetings. Once the needs have been identified, it is important to develop a budget and plan for the space. This plan should include the cost of equipment, materials, and staff, as well as the space itself.

Creating a makerspace and culture of making that is inclusive and for the entirety of the community is essential. This can be done by providing a variety of tools and materials that are accessible to everyone, regardless of their background or skill level. It is also important to provide training and support to individuals who are new to making.

Strategies for researching historic making techniques and adapting them to the modern world are also important. This can be done by visiting museums and historic sites, reading books and articles, and attending workshops and conferences. By adapting these techniques to the modern world, museums can create new and exciting exhibits that will engage visitors.

Creating meaningful makerspace-centered programming is also essential. This can be done by offering workshops, classes, and events that focus on making. These programs can be designed for a variety of ages and skill levels, and can be tailored to the specific interests of the community.

The processes and methods explored in this book will help produce a sustainable makerspace that will help the museum or historic site that adopts it reach new audiences, creating growth and new museums stakeholders. Likewise, through calling for a recalibration of living history through the language of the makerspace, this project calls for new approaches to living history.

In conclusion, the maker movement in libraries and schools has gained significant momentum in recent years, but it has largely remained outside of the museum world. Makerspace in Museums: Hands-On History in Museums and Historic Sites highlights the importance of the Maker Movement for these institutions and provides a roadmap for building, planning, researching, and using a makerspace alongside more traditional museum programming. By creating a makerspace and culture of making that is inclusive and for the entirety of the community, museums can create immersive and interactive experiences that engage visitors of all ages and backgrounds. Additionally, by researching historic making techniques and adapting them to the modern world, museums can create new and exciting exhibits that will engage visitors. Finally, by creating meaningful makerspace-centered programming, museums can reach new audiences and create growth and new museums stakeholders.

Weight: 367g
Dimension: 237 x 158 x 16 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781538169018