Storytime

It’s the stories about the artifacts that make this ‘old stuff’ interesting

Once upon a time, down in city hall storage, all packaged up tight, a Mayor found his town’s past buried from sight. Ideas came quickly; he knew what to do. This town needs a place to put these items on view. “I know just the spot, I’ll do it up right. Our town’s new museum will fill folks with delight.”

With the hard work behind him, his project complete, the Mayor opened the doors out to the street. He called to the towns’ folk to join him inside. Yet no crowds appeared, no interest he spied. What makes a museum, the town Mayor wondered? What am I missing, where have I blundered? I set up the pieces I thought all should see, yet the only one seeing them right now is me. Perhaps I need donations, from folks here in town. I will ask them to bring a few items around.

The Mayor put out the call and the towns’ folk came. They came with packed trucks and trailers. They came with stu„ed boxes and bags. They brought old handmade quilts, clothing and shoes. They brought stacks of old papers and rusty old tools. From pictures to postcards and hardcover books, donations filled up all the crannies and nooks.

The Mayor set to work, unpacking the lot. He shu‡ed the furniture, just to make room to walk. On the beds and benches, he stacked the old quilts. He hung up the clothes and lined up the old shoes. With the donations arranged into place, it left not an inch of empty museum space.

Then with his work, once more complete, the Mayor opened the doors out to the street. He called to the towns’ folk to join him inside. Still no crowds appeared, no interest he spied. What makes a museum, the town Mayor wondered? What am I missing, where have I blundered? I set up the pieces they brought here to me, yet no one comes into the building to see. The Mayor looked at displays, while scratching his head.

“Is there more to these objects that I’ve left unsaid?” The Mayor spoke to the towns’ folk, collecting their tales. He logged all their stories in the greatest detail. Ideas came quickly; he knew what to do. The mounds of donations he had to sort through. He packed up the clutter and stored the excess. As the town’s past unfolded, he felt sure of success.

“Perhaps it is not about old things, put out on display. Perhaps a museum needs stories about yesterday.”