H-Net Review Publication: Woodall on Hill, 'Museums and Biographies: Stories, Objects, Identities'

Well son. I'm sure you're throughly enjoying the snow and skiing and the camaraderie of the Oxbridge group at the moment. So perhaps this email isn't particularly pertinent at the moment or even later. 

This was an interesting perspective. That museum are nothing but biographies. Fascinating concept eh? I love museums. They offer a potted history of so many things. Having seen museums in so many countries this is right. Together they are biographies of humans and mankind. 

Somebody told me that I live in a museum. Yes. Quite possibly. Both mentally and physically. Lol. I collect books. Palm leaf books. Interesting bank notes. Cufflinks. Horological instruments. Interesting photographs. Collect experiences. Degrees and PhDs and certificates. And friends. It's nothing but a biography. 

As you know I'm a trustee at an animal home. We get legacies from people who have died and gifted things or money to us. And several times I've got to sign for the receipt of full house contents of people who died with a wish to donate everything to us. People collect the strangest things son. Buttons. Newspapers. Plastic bags. Matchbox covers. Condoms. Food items. Stamps. You name it. And sometimes I wonder what it says about you. 

Everybody collects son. I'm not making a judgement. But I'm just interested to know. So the small thought experiment would be for you son, ask your friends what do they collect? And why do they collect what they do? And what does it tell you about them? I'm sure it will help you understand them a bit more son. People love to talk about their hobbies and collections. And that will give you some amazing insights into people. 

Love

Baba

Begin forwarded message:

From: H-Net Staff <revhelp@mail.h-net.msu.edu>
Date: 8 December 2014 07:34:19 GMT
To: H-REVIEW@H-NET.MSU.EDU
Subject: H-Net Review Publication:  Woodall on Hill, 'Museums and Biographies: Stories, Objects, Identities'
Reply-To: H-Net Staff <revhelp@mail.h-net.msu.edu>

Kate Hill, ed.  Museums and Biographies: Stories, Objects,
Identities.  Heritage Matters Series. Suffolk  Boydell and Brewer,
2012.  x + 338 pp.  $99.00 (cloth), ISBN 978-1-84383-727-5; $34.95
(paper), ISBN 978-1-84383-961-3.

Reviewed by Alexandra Woodall (University of Leicester, School of
Museum Studies)
Published on H-Material-Culture (December, 2014)
Commissioned by Marieke Hendriksen

Museums and Biographies: Stories, Objects, Identities