As an historian and someone who loves studying the past, museums are some of my favourite places. Whenever I travel, I make it a point to visit as many as I can. I’m that odd person who contacts museums months and years after my visit, asking questions about the exhibitions that I saw. However, like many of us, museums and historical sites are having a bit of a rough go right now. Many have moved online but no longer have the incoming ticket income and everything else that comes with visitors. So, today I’m sharing how to support museums from home (and historical sites), so that we have them to return to!
We all love visiting museums and take time out of our evenings, weekends, and vacations to enjoy them (or even plan trips around them). However, they are in their major time of need, and its time for us to do what we can to help them out! So, how can we support museums from home?
1) Donations
Obviously donations are massively helpful to museums, but even more when they can’t have any visitors to purchase tickets, buy things from the shop or cafe, or anything. Not everyone does, but if you have the funds, consider donating to one of your favourite museums or historical sites. Many already have donation forms available through their website, but I’ve seen several others that have set up crowdfunding pages to try and make ends meet. Most museum staff have been laid off or furloughed, and many museums cannot continue to keep paying their rent/bills/remaining wages with the little money that they have coming in. It doesn’t have to be $1000 or anything- any amount can help them. If there is a museum that has been particularly interesting, engaging, or memorable for you, consider making a donation to help them do the same for someone else. (Or for a museum or site that you plan to visit in the future!)
2) Write Reviews
This is not limited to right now, but go and write some reviews of your favourite sites and museums. Those reviews help bring in new visitors, and can make a real difference. Whether you write them on Google, Yelp, Instagram, your own blog, or anywhere else, they are a powerful tool in attracting new people. If you really enjoyed an exhibition, no matter when it was, share your favourite pieces/items on Instagram or Twitter. They don’t need to be an essay, but even 4-5 sentences on why you enjoyed your time there can make a difference. I know many, many people (myself included) who are planning trips and visits for when we are allowed to roam free again, so plant the seed in our minds now!
3) Purchase From the Shop
If the museum’s shop is still open, now is the time to make an online (or phone order) from the gift shop. I know that a lot of museums do have a small number of staff in, who are fulfilling orders to mail out. There are also several that I’ve seen who are taking orders now to fulfill when everything is open again. If you can afford to make a purchase and have been looking at something, maybe order it now! (Let’s be honest, it’s not food or medication- you don’t need it RIGHT NOW.) I’ve noticed that many people are advocating for independent book shops, which is wonderful, but there are also many museum shops that could use your support as well!
4) Plan Your Next Museum Visits
Get started planning your next visits, whenever they may be! You will be giving their website(s) traffic, which might generate ad revenue for them (at no cost to you). If you have any questions, you can always reach out to the site or museum- in a lot of businesses, people are needing to show that there is work for them to do. Your inquiries could help keep people employed. (However, do not take it personally if they cannot answer quickly- they may be doing the jobs of 3-4 people at once now.) Get ready to spend some money there (it doesn’t need to be an inheritance worth) when the world finds its new normal, and that they will need our help as much as we need help.
Note: It also can be a real pick-me-up when you are stuck in your house for the millionth day in a row, to imagine you are wandering a museum instead of sitting in the same room again.
5) Follow Them on Social Media
Finally, find your favourite museums and historical sites, and follow all of their social media. That can actually be very helpful, as pretty much all forms of social media show your followers who else you are following. (It will also be helpful when you are tagging them in those reviews and memories, right?)
This is slightly self-serving, also- pretty much every museum I follow is putting out some amazing content. Older exhibitions and documentaries that aren’t available otherwise. Behind the scenes access on restorations, things in storage, and rare acquisitions. And the ability to ask curators and researchers pretty much any question you’ve ever wanted through Twitter chats, Instagram stories, and Facebook Lives. Even though they are going through the same stress and worry and difficulties that we are, they are going above and beyond in giving us amazing content. A simple follow seems small in comparison!
PS. I didn’t realise until after writing this post that this is a hashtag that is setting out to help smaller museums everywhere- #saveourheritage! Head to the hashtag on Instagram for more ideas on how you can help after you finish this post!
Looking for online historical content to keep you busy while you are trapped at home? My post rounds up all of the exhibitions, collections, and tours to enjoy from your home!
And I’ve also got all of your online culture options, for your ballet, theatre, and Broadway/West End needs!
How to support museums from home- what will you be doing?
Cheers,
The Historian
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