The Questions Was About Impact. I Got Revisionist History Fears.

We all know we live in, well, interesting times. Especially when it comes to history, identity, and inclusion.

These interesting times are opening up fears and challenges in ways that are sometimes unexpected. Such as in the 2018 Annual Survey of Museum-Goers.

This survey didn't focus history specifically. Or inclusionary interpretation and practices. Or social justice.  (If you are looking for that audience research, stay tuned … I'm deep in analysis of new research fielded this fall.)

But the survey did ask about the impact of museums, and a handful of respondents took the opportunity to share their thoughts about these topics, likely because it was on their mind and this was an opportunity to do so.

So I did what every good researcher does: I flagged them. Clearly, this is something important that we need to know about.

Let's start, however, by backing up and considering history specifically.

No museums = no history

For many museum-goers (and the broader population as well), museums are repositories of history. Since museums house the tangible remainders of the past, they embody history. Just look at the sense of loss and national identity in Brazil after the catastrophic fire at their National Museum.
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Similarly, when I asked museum-goers last winter to consider their community (or the world) without museums, many suggested that, without museums, history and identity would be lost:

"Museums are a depository for all sorts of items, art work, literature, etc. that are so important to the history of the world we live in. Who would protect these precious artifacts if it were not for museums. How much of ourselves would be lost without them?"  - Respondent, 2018 Annual Survey of Museum-Goers

Given that heavy responsibility (and opportunity) for museums, perhaps it shouldn't be a surprise then that presenting more inclusive history stirs a response.

Revisionist history fears (the unsolicited comments)

Since the survey didn't ask about history methodology, inclusive history practices, or social justice, only a handful of respondents spontaneously brought up these topics. That should be absolutely clear, as these comments are not representative of all museum-goers. But there were enough of them to suggest that the concerns they raise (as well as the appreciation some expressed) are more widespread.
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The majority of comments I flagged did not care for history being "changed." Examples include:

"This past year I was saddened to see the culture from the south wiped away - statues removed - building names changed … removing and hiding them is not the answer." - Respondent, 2018 Annual Survey of Museum-Goers

"Best if [museums] promote positive American values, put negatives into context of times rather than to try to impugn the entire American experience. We tire of the fashionable 'critical theory of history.'" - Respondent, 2018 Annual Survey of Museum-Goers

​Some seemed both critical and contradictory at the same time:

"To learn about the past. Do not try to bring social justice issues into the museums." - Respondent, 2018 Annual Survey of Museum-Goers
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​"Museums are history preservers and never should become political or politically correct. Point of history is to learn from mistakes." - Respondent, 2018 Annual Survey of Museum-Goers

To be honest, I'm not sure how history can be presented in ways that we both learn from the past and not touch on politics and/or social justice and/or other difficult history.

And while no one actually used the term "revisionist history," it was a lurking undercurrent. There was a clear sense that history as they felt it should be presented was the appropriate history, and likely aligned with the type of history many museums presented throughout most of the twentieth century: white history. Similarly, there seemed to be a lack of awareness that other stories, voices, and perspectives of the past are equally valid, illuminate history more clearly, and sometimes give a more accurate and complete account of the past.

The cynic in me would also like to point out that most museum-goers, and the broader population, also think museums should present all perspectives of the past. Apparently, for some, what they want in theory (all perspectives) isn't what they want in reality if they are crying foul when those more inclusive perspectives are actually shared.

Frustrating, isn't it?

How we handle this, however, matters deeply. 81% of Americans trust the information presented by history museums and historic sites. But in this age of alternative facts and divisive opinions, that trust is fragile. And while I don't have specific recommendations right now (… analyzing fresh research on the topic now), failing to present a more complete, inclusive history perpetuates a greater wrong to the real truth of history, and all that that means.
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I'll leave you, however, with a far more hopeful comment that I also flagged for similar, yet totally different, reasons. I'll let it speak for itself.

"As a Native woman, I appreciate museums that are actively aware of the (post)colonialist implications of museums and their representation of cultures and history. Some museums make me feel better about that, because I can see how hard museum staff are working to equalize the representation and improve the ethics of museums … And because museums are a touchpoint between cultural representation and the general public, I appreciate and value museums that do this difficult work." - Respondent, 2018 Annual Survey of Museum-Goers

There's still time to join the 2019 Annual Survey of Museum-Goers!!

Do you value this research? Does it help you in your work at your museum? Do you want it to continue to help you and our field?
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If so, consider how useful it would be to know how your museum's stakeholders feel about your museum, lifelong learning in museums, and more. By enrolling your museum in the 2019 Annual Survey of Museum-Goers, you can easily benchmark the visitation rates, motivations, attitudes and preferences, and demographics of your stakeholders. Additionally, you can compare your results to your peers, begin to track them over time, and gain far more contextual information through your custom results and report. The fee for 2019 is only $1,000 per museum.