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Why is the Museum on the Web?

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 July 2017

Judith Scotchmoor
Affiliation:
University of California Museum of Paleontology Berkeley, CA 94720-4780
Claus Hedegaard
Affiliation:
University of California Museum of Paleontology Berkeley, CA 94720-4780
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Extract

The Classic usage of the term museum implies a collection of objects, not a display, though this has been the common usage since the late 19th century. The University of California Museum of Paleontology (UCMP) is predominantly a museum in the classic sense. In this case the collection of objects is a research and study collection of fossil and Recent organisms. Visitors will find a few display cases, a very impressive Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton accompanied by a Pteranodon ingens flying overhead, a couple of dinosaur skulls, and plans for expansion. However, the overwhelming part of the collections is not usually accessible to the public. Nonetheless it is the mission of UCMP “…to facilitate the understanding of the history of life through service to research to education, and to the public.” It is the use of technology that has allowed us to more effectively reach the public sector.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © 1996 by The Paleontological Society 

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