Digest

Allie Ward pays tribute to her friend and museologist, Ronnie Klein, who passed away earlier that morning. The episode then delves into the world of museology with Ronnie, who oversees 22 museums for the California Department of State Parks. They discuss the origins of the word "museum" and its connection to the Greek muses. Ronnie shares his first museum experience and his journey to becoming a curator, highlighting the importance of experience and volunteering. He describes his day-to-day life as a museologist, including the challenges of managing collections, dealing with insurance paperwork, and the recent wildfires in Sonoma. Ronnie explains the difference between museology and archaeology, emphasizing the focus of museologists on the museum itself and the scientific background of archaeologists. They engage in a rapid fire Q&A session, answering questions from listeners about museum evolution, haunted artifacts, favorite exhibits, and the challenges of working with museum visitors. Ronnie offers advice on how to tackle visiting museums when short on time, suggesting focusing on one specific artifact or exhibit. He also introduces the concept of "Museum Sage," a program that guides visitors to a specific object based on their personal questions. Ronnie shares his experiences with haunted artifacts, specifically mentioning the Vallejo home in Sonoma, where his wife is said to haunt the house and dislike English speakers. He also recounts a strange experience with music and voices while filming a video at the Tuscano Hotel. Ronnie discusses artifacts that will likely never be displayed in museums due to their sensitive nature, including Native American ceremonial objects and a shrunken head. He also mentions the prevalence of human hair artifacts, particularly from the Victorian era. Ronnie explains the process of creating exhibit panels and the role of interpreters in museums. He also discusses the most annoying things visitors do, such as touching artifacts and taking selfies over velvet ropes. Ronnie shares his least favorite aspect of his job, which is the paperwork involved in loan agreements. He also reveals his favorite part: arriving at work before sunrise and being the first one to open the door to his building. Allie and Ronnie discuss the unique smell of museums and old books, exploring the scientific explanation behind the scent. Ronnie shares his future goals as a museologist, which include updating exhibits to be more inclusive and representing diverse perspectives. He encourages listeners to follow his Instagram account to see his work and meet his rescue pup, Granny. The episode concludes with Allie sharing a personal secret about shoplifting a Cliff bar and playing a voicemail from Ronnie, recorded last summer, where he talks about Tom Broca, an 84-year-old journalist with the same cancer as Allie's father.

Outlines

00:00:00

Remembering Ronnie Klein and Exploring Museology

Allie Ward shares a heartfelt tribute to her friend and museologist, Ronnie Klein, who passed away earlier that morning. She expresses her sadness and shock, and shares a fun memory of their time together. They then discuss the origins of the word "museum" and its connection to the Greek muses.

00:04:30

Ronnie's Journey into Museology

Ronnie shares his first museum experience and his journey to becoming a curator, highlighting the importance of experience and volunteering. He describes his day-to-day life as a museologist, including the challenges of managing collections, dealing with insurance paperwork, and the recent wildfires in Sonoma.

00:36:28

Museology vs. Archaeology and Museum Etiquette

Ronnie explains the difference between museology and archaeology, emphasizing the focus of museologists on the museum itself and the scientific background of archaeologists. They engage in a rapid fire Q&A session, answering questions from listeners about museum evolution, haunted artifacts, favorite exhibits, and the challenges of working with museum visitors. Ronnie offers advice on how to tackle visiting museums when short on time, suggesting focusing on one specific artifact or exhibit. He also introduces the concept of "Museum Sage," a program that guides visitors to a specific object based on their personal questions.

00:45:20

Haunted Artifacts and Museum Controversies

Ronnie shares his experiences with haunted artifacts, specifically mentioning the Vallejo home in Sonoma, where his wife is said to haunt the house and dislike English speakers. He also recounts a strange experience with music and voices while filming a video at the Tuscano Hotel. Ronnie discusses artifacts that will likely never be displayed in museums due to their sensitive nature, including Native American ceremonial objects and a shrunken head. He also mentions the prevalence of human hair artifacts, particularly from the Victorian era.

00:52:16

The Role of Exhibit Panels and Museum Etiquette

Ronnie explains the process of creating exhibit panels and the role of interpreters in museums. He also discusses the most annoying things visitors do, such as touching artifacts and taking selfies over velvet ropes. Ronnie shares his least favorite aspect of his job, which is the paperwork involved in loan agreements. He also reveals his favorite part: arriving at work before sunrise and being the first one to open the door to his building.

00:55:56

The Smell of History and Ronnie's Future Goals

Allie and Ronnie discuss the unique smell of museums and old books, exploring the scientific explanation behind the scent. Ronnie shares his future goals as a museologist, which include updating exhibits to be more inclusive and representing diverse perspectives. He encourages listeners to follow his Instagram account to see his work and meet his rescue pup, Granny.

00:58:21

A Personal Secret and a Voicemail from Ronnie

Allie shares a personal secret about shoplifting a Cliff bar and expresses her guilt. She then plays a voicemail from Ronnie, recorded last summer, where he talks about Tom Broca, an 84-year-old journalist with the same cancer as Allie's father.

Keywords

Q&A

• What is the difference between a museologist and an archaeologist?

  A museologist focuses on the museum itself, while an archaeologist works in the field, often with a science background. Museologists may specialize in collection care, while archaeologists study past cultures through excavation and analysis of artifacts.

• What are some of the challenges of being a museum collections manager?

  Museum collections managers face challenges like managing large and diverse collections, ensuring proper preservation and storage, dealing with insurance paperwork, and controlling pests that can damage artifacts.

• How do museums evolve and what changes can we expect in the future?

  Museums are evolving to be more inclusive and represent diverse perspectives. They are moving away from Eurocentric narratives and incorporating the voices of marginalized communities. This includes re-evaluating historical interpretations and presenting a more objective view of the past.

• What are some tips for visiting museums when short on time?

  Focus on one specific artifact or exhibit that interests you. Use online resources like Instagram and Yelp to research the museum beforehand. Consider participating in programs like "Museum Sage" that guide you to a specific object based on your personal questions.

• What are some of the most annoying things visitors do in museums?

  Touching artifacts, taking selfies over velvet ropes, and disregarding museum etiquette can be frustrating for museum staff. It's important to respect the museum's rules and guidelines to ensure the preservation of artifacts and a positive experience for everyone.

Show Notes