Example of an effective museum

One particular museum that sticks in my mind as being particularly effective according to Weil’s criteria, is the Wenatchee Valley Museum and Cultural Center, located in Wenatchee, Washington. Weil says that in order for a museum to be effective, it must be “demonstrably able to accomplish the purposes they seek to accomplish”.

Now, although this museum does not have a mission statement explicitly written, the action words the museum uses to draw you in are quite apparent; explore, discover, enjoy, create, and experience. All of these action words are pertaining to education the public on the history of north central Washington; from the ice age to the present. This is the museums purpose, but in order for it to be “effective” the museum must be able to accomplish this.

The Wenatchee Valley Museum educates the public in a variety of ways. There are guided and self-guided tours which are open to those both young and old. There are hands on exhibits designed to teach patrons first hand about different eras; specifically the Clovis culture of the ice age, late 1800’s and 1900’s town life and industry, as well as the first trans-pacific flight which just so happened to land in Wenatchee, and much much more.

While providing exhibits and tours is certainly a good way to accomplish the museums goal of education patrons, it would only constitute performing the minimum. Now in order to go above and beyond, the museums provides materials for those people who wish to enjoy the museum but simply cannot make it in. There are “museum-to-you” boxes, which quite literally is an exhibit packed up and delivered to your door. Those employed by the museum will also make house calls to share stories and slideshows of many historic events, along with skits and role-playing done in full costume.

Because the Wenatchee Valley Museum and Cultural Center seems to go above and beyond achieving their purpose/goal of educating the public about the historical events that took place in and around the Wenatchee valley, I believe that the museum is indeed “effective” by Weis’ criteria.