The evolution of museums can be traced back to ancient Egypt, where private collectors gathered objects and displayed them in wonder rooms. One of the earliest museums known to exist was that of Ennigaldi-Nanna, a woman in 530 BC in the state of Ur. She collected Mesopotamian artifacts and displayed them to a select group of people. She even fashioned her own museum memorabilia by hand, complete with clay labels in three languages. The history of museums is not yet complete, however. Some of the most important museums opened during the 18th century, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York and the LDS Church History Museum in Utah.
Another museum founded in the 19th century is the National Institute of Art, which opened its doors on 18 April 1881. Its history goes back to the beginnings of the British Museum. The museum was named for Sir Hans Sloane, who had traveled the world as a high society physician and collected a large collection of cultural artifacts and natural history specimens. Sir Sloane’s will allowed Parliament to buy the collection at a cost well above its value, and the museum was built to display the collection.
The London Museum of Natural History is one of the oldest in the world, with some of the most fascinating specimens on display. Extinct animals, like the ostrich and the dinosaurs, were first observed here. The Museum of Natural History holds the first specimen of Archaeopteryx, which is the oldest bird-like creature in existence. The Museum also houses a cast model of this dinosaur in its Birds gallery. This exhibit provides a glimpse into the evolution of life on Earth.
As mentioned, early museums began as private collections. These collections were largely unpublicized at the time, and the public was only allowed access if the owner had granted permission. In the 17th century, the British Museum was founded and opened its doors to the public. The British Museum’s initial collection came from Sir Isaac Sloan’s personal collection. The Uffizi Gallery in Florence was opened to the public in 1765. Its history is incredibly interesting.
The evolution of museums in the United States followed the development of museums in Europe. The mid and late nineteenth centuries saw an intense growth in museum construction, which has come to be known as “The Museum Period.” At this time, many American museums focused on North American discoveries and artistic developments, and many of them resembled their European counterparts in a number of ways. There was even a museum in New York City that featured an artifact from the Revolutionary War.
In ancient Greece, the museum was connected to the Muses, and was sometimes used as a place of worship, but in most cases, it was a place where artists were trained and studied. Over time, the word “museum” grew to mean an educational institution. Today, the history of museums has become a specialty field in its own right. In the years since, many museums have expanded into renowned landmarks. There are many aspects to the history of the museum.
