Harrison Smith Museum of Military History Summer Internship Blog Post 4

Similarly to last week 3, week 4 of my internship with the Museum of Military History was completed remotely because I contracted Covid 19. As of today (June 10, 2022) I have tested negative but cannot return to the institution until 2 weeks after my initial positive test as per museum policy. This week focuses primarily on research and label making for items within the First World War exhibition. Since I was unable to work onsite, I used photographs taken in prior weeks to begin making labels for notable items with the museum’s World War I section. As mentioned previously the museum has a fantastic World War I era collection and the exhibition has a great “flow”; which allows museum visitors to easily move between each display case. However, many of the items within the cases don’t have labeling that gives context to the items. Many of the major themes and items found when researching World War I including trench warfare, poison gas, barbed wire, artillery blitzkerg, etc. are missing from the museum’s exhibition.

Due to this, this past week was research and planning intensive into the common themes and items found in World War I. My goal as mentioned previously is to provide mock labels and exhibition pamphlets to Mathus and Chris for approval. One of my primary goals is to create a labeling system that doesn’t overcrowd the display cases found within the First World War exhibition. I began reading Beverly Serell’s Exhibit Labels: An Interpretive Approach to gain some insight into what actually makes an effective and productive label that doesn’t give museum goers “cognitive fatigue” over time. Some of the tips and tricks found in the early chapters of this work should aid me in creating labels for the First World War exhibition. It is my hope that through effective labeling making, and an exhibition pamphlet that museum visitors will be able to get historical context on all items within the exhibition, but still have the choice of learning from labels attached to notable items within the display cases or use an exhibition pamphlet while visiting a more efficient educational experience.

Besides label making, and historical research I also conducted additional genealogical research on Lt. Col. Ambrose. A majority of the information I have uncovered is already known by the museums because the donor (who was a family member of Ambrose) provided much of this information. However, I was able to find a couple of photos of Ambrose’ unit during the Second World War era. I am continuing my search to find additional photos and unknown information that could contribute to an upcoming display on Lt. Col. Ambrose planned by Mathus and Chris. I will be returning to the institution next Tuesday and presenting my mock labels and exhibition pamphlet to Mathus and Chris. I provide updates on their responses to my mock labels and pamphlet and provide insights into any additional projects I work on next Friday.