#N.A.R. Station Museum

[rabbitcruiser]

International Museum Day

According to the International Council of Museums (ICOM), a museum is "a non-profit, permanent institution in the service of society and its development, open to the public, which acquires, conserves, researches, communicates and exhibits the tangible and intangible heritage of humanity and its environment for the purposes of education, study and enjoyment." International Museum Day, founded and organized by the ICOM, aims to raise awareness that "museums are an important means of cultural exchange, enrichment of cultures and development of mutual understanding, cooperation and peace among peoples."

International Museum Day got its start in 1977 when a resolution was adopted at the ICOM General Assembly in Moscow to create an annual event "with the aim of further unifying the creative aspirations and efforts of museums and drawing the attention of the world public to their activity." The number of museums participating in the day has increased in the decades since. Since 1992, there has been a unique theme each year that is devoted to an issue that deals with the role of museums in the development of society and is at the forefront of the global museum community. There has been an official poster for the day since 1997, and in 2011 online resources were expanded.

Participating museums plan events and activities related to the year's theme, engage with the public, and "highlight the importance of museums as institutions that serve society and its development." All museums around the world can take part, with equal access to museums for everyone being a value of the day. Events may last the day, for a weekend, or for the whole week.

How to Observe International Museum Day

Observe the day by visiting a museum! Check the International Museum Day interactive map for official events near you and the International Museum Day Facebook page for up-to-date information about the day. If you are associated with a museum, organize free events that promote the role of museums in society and are related to the year's theme. Posters, information about the theme, and a communications kit can be found on the day's official webpage. You could hold your event today, on the weekend, or throughout the whole week. Make sure to list your event on the day's interactive map.

Source

[esquimaltnanaimo]

Hello again, everyone! I apologize once again for not posting for the past few days, but we've essentially been traveling non-stop since Halifax, and we've been busy since we arrived here! We're in Edmonton, Alberta now, the final stop on our trip before returning home to Vancouver.

The Mun played a board game with some other passengers called Catan, and they managed to build what I believe is a trans-continental railway! Their pieces are the orange ones in the photo. They ultimately didn't win the game, but they came close second!

As we arrived in Edmonton, we passed through CN's large railyard, right past the ready tracks and storage sidings. An old, retired SW1200RS switcher, with her number scrawled messily over a black patch and missing some parts, rested beside some stored SD75i engines. Despite her condition, she certainly looked friendly - I wish I could have met her, but we were behind two layers of coach window glass. We exchanged smiles, at least. There was also a GMD1, like Greg in Winnipeg, operating as a switcher in the same yard. The Geep next to him was also running, leaving the yard with two of their siblings on a short mixed freight train. I must say, it's wonderful to see these older diesels being given an extension on their lives here - you'd never see them on the mainline anymore, as everything is run by the big General Electrics and newer Electro-Motives, but it's still great to see these old diesels soldiering on. It reminds me of my days as a mixed traffic engine, when diesels were first introduced.

Anyway, speaking of older locomotives, we also visited the Alberta Railway Museum just north of the city. It was wonderful! So many old diesels, plenty of Northern Alberta Railway artifacts and memories, and two of my older Montreal steamie cousins! I'll post another photo set of the rest of the engines there; they're all very friendly, and they have lots of stories to share. In particular, Chief, the N.A.R. GMD1, was quite imposing for a road switcher. He certainly takes after his namesake, Chief Moostoos of the Woods Cree First Nation.

After the museum, we relaxed as the mun re-packed their bags, until we heard fireworks and dashed outside. It was Klondike Days in Edmonton, a large annual fair with rides and live music, and a nightly fireworks display. The finale was spectacular, as can be seen in the final GIF!

Anyways, we're at the station now, awaiting the arrival of a very late westbound Canadian to take us home to Vancouver. We're almost done on this incredible journey - I can hardly believe it!

~Gloria

[rabbitcruiser]

International Museum Day

Visit a local museum and learn about anything from art to ancient history to aerospace. Many museums also offer virtual tours online, if you can’t get out.

Few places in our world are more educational than museums. After all, where else could we hope to see so many pieces of actual history that tell so many stories about our ancestors?

Education is important, so days like International Museum Day should be something to get yourself and your young ones excited for. After all, while there will be children filling their heads with nonsense, you have the ability to fill your children with knowledgey goodness!

How to Celebrate International Museum Day

Visit a Local Museum

There is no better way to celebrate International Museum Day than to take a trip down to a nearby museum, either alone, with friends, or even your children if you feel they are old enough to appreciate the place.

Depending on where you live, the museums you might be closest to could be ones connected with anything from farming to fashion, from astronomy to archaeology, from art to natural history.

Road Trip to a Museum

If it turns out that the museums in your immediate area are not ones that would interest you, maybe you could consider a day trip to a nearby city to visit a museum better suited to your interests? Carpooling with a friend or two will make the trip cheaper and very possibly more interesting.

Another thing to think about is how well you tolerate crowds. International Museum Day is an increasingly popular worldwide event, so it is quite probable that many of the larger and better-known museums will be pretty crowded on this day, especially since many museums do not charge an entrance fee then.

Make Plans in Advance

If you do not feel like standing in long lines to see every single thing or having to maneuver your way through crowds of people, paying more attention to not stepping on anyone’s shoes than the objects on exhibition, you may want to visit the museum of your choice a few days before or after International Museum Day.

On weekdays, museums are often quiet places where one can come to study our ancestors’ lifestyles and contemplate what motivated them to behave and develop as they did.

However you decide to celebrate Museum day, don’t let this opportunity to find out about the history of the human race go to waste!

Why Celebrate International Museum Day?

From prehistoric spears to Egyptian mummies, from ancient Greek sculptures to medieval armor, and from the first radio to the first planes used in war during WWI, museums have it all. Unfortunately, there are millions of people with direct access to museums that have never even visited one.

There are many possible reasons for this–perhaps they think just looking at old things would be boring, or perhaps they are unaware just how different the world was in the past and see no reason to take an interest.

Whatever the reason for not taking advantage of the incredible amount of tangible knowledge museums offer, and regardless of age, International Museum Day is the time to invest in education in its most fascinating form!

History of International Museum Day

The International Council of Museums (ICOM) created International Museum Day in 1977. The organization chooses a different theme for the day and coordinates every year. Some of the themes include globalization, indigenous peoples, bridging cultural gaps, and caring for the environment.

Every year since 1977, all of the museums in the world are invited to participate in this day to promote the role of museums around the world, by organizing enjoyable and free activities around the year’s theme.

International Museum Day has become steadily more popular since its creation, with International Museum Day 2009 being participated in by 20,000 museums in over 90 countries. In 2012, the number of participating museums had jumped to 30,000 in 129 countries.

As the years have gone by, we have been blessed to live in a society where while technology seems to want to take over, there have been certain things that are now considered cool that were once reserved for a very target demographic.

While the numbers of participants were slowly climbing almost a decade ago, over the last five years, the numbers are climbing at an even more rapid rate. When we look at this, we may ask ourselves why, and the truth is simple, history is now something that is classed as cool.

Yes, we may live in a technology-driven society, but it seems that the more technology has reigned over the world, people have started to gravitate towards the things that connect them to a world they are scared of losing.

Today, there are more visitors to museums all over the world than ever before, and more than this, there are now more people studying history at degree level than at any point in history.

Now, it may be possible that this is just a point where geek chic is in, and students want to seem more cultural and in touch with the world, but if we stop for a brief moment, could it not be possible that International Museum Day has played a small role in helping entire new generations fall in love with history once again?

The truth may, in fact, be both, but one thing we must remember is that While it may not be as popular as some days, International Museum Day is something that should be held in high importance.

The further we move forward, the more we leave behind, and with all of the things that are now long behind us, we need something to help us remember where we have been, that way, we can take the journey ahead of us with more confidence.

International Museum Day FAQs

Did museums exist in ancient times?

Yes, the concept of museums dates back thousands of years. The Ennigaldi-Nanna’s museum, established in 530 BCE in ancient Mesopotamia, is the earliest known museum.

It housed artifacts from earlier civilizations, showcasing a deep interest in history even then.

What quirky museums are perfect for an unconventional celebration?

The Icelandic Phallological Museum houses the world’s largest collection of animal penises, while the Kansas Barbed Wire Museum explores the history of fencing.

Visiting these on Museum Day adds a playful twist to traditional museum visits.

Are all museum pieces authentic?

Not always! Many museums use replicas to preserve original artifacts. For example, Tutankhamun’s treasures on display are often reproductions, with the originals kept safe due to their fragility.

How do some indigenous cultures use museums to preserve their heritage?

Museums in indigenous communities often combine education with activism. The U’mista Cultural Centre in Canada showcases potlatch treasures to tell stories of resilience and fight for cultural revival.

What’s a fun fact about museum security?

The Mona Lisa is protected by bulletproof glass, infrared sensors, and a team of guards. This level of security makes it nearly impossible to replicate heists seen in movies.

Why do some museums ban flash photography?

Flash photography can damage delicate artifacts over time. For example, ancient manuscripts and textiles are highly sensitive to light and may degrade with repeated exposure.

How do museums handle massive collections?

Most museums only display a fraction of their items. The British Museum stores millions of artifacts in off-site warehouses and rotates exhibits regularly.

What are some unusual ways museums celebrate Museum Day?

In Germany, some museums host “Night of Museums,” where visitors explore exhibits after dark. Live music, performances, and food stalls add to the unique experience.

Is there a museum you can visit entirely underwater?

Yes! The Museo Atlántico in Lanzarote features sculptures submerged in the ocean. Divers can explore the exhibits while surrounded by marine life.

What’s a common myth about museums?

Some think museums are all quiet, solemn places. However, interactive science centers like the Exploratorium in San Francisco prove they can be lively and hands-on for all ages.

Source

[rabbitcruiser]

To the Door

What do you think about my pic?