U.S. Museum Histories and the Politics of Interpretation: Never Neutral

The first collection to examine the history of museums in the United States through the lens of the political and ideological underpinnings at the heart of exhibitions, collecting, and programming. It argues that museums have always been embedded in the politics and culture of their time, whether reifying or challenging hegemonic notions of race, gender, and progress. Contributions probe the political nature of collection and interpretation, and museum work as both reflective of and contributing to the politics and circulation of power in different historical moments.

Format: Hardback
Length: 276 pages
Publication date: 08 December 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

The first collection to examine the history of museums in the United States through the lens of the political and ideological underpinnings at the heart of exhibitions, collecting, and programming, U.S. Museum Histories and the Politics of Interpretation explores the complex relationship between museums and the broader social, cultural, and political landscape. Including contributions from historians, art historians, anthropologists, academics, and museum professionals, the book argues that museums have always been embedded in the politics and culture of their time, whether that means a reification of hegemonic notions of race, gender, and progress or a challenge to those normative structures. Contributions probe the political nature of collection and interpretation as concept and practice, and museum work as both reflective of and contributing to the politics and circulation of power in different historical moments. As a whole, the volume provides detailed readings of museums that demonstrate the ways in which these trusted cultural institutions have intervened in shifting concepts of nation, community, indigeneity, race, citizenship, inclusion, identity, localism, and memory.

U.S. Museum Histories and the Politics of Interpretation makes arguments about the historically and politically rooted nature of cultural production in museums that apply to institutions across the globe. It is essential reading for students and scholars of museum studies, public history, cultural history, art history, and memory.

Weight: 698g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032204505