Insights from Another Savvy Museum Visitor
Museums in Detroit, England, Turkey, and More
While I think of myself as a savvy museum visitor, having visited 100s of museums in multiple countries, today’s interview with another savvy museum visitor, has outdone me!
Lindsey, who lives in Ohio, visits many museums, especially when traveling, and is very thoughtful about each visit. Here, she shares about favorite museums and what has impressed her about each, along with other museum and travel insights.
What’s your favorite museum?
It’s hard for me to name just one. Instead, I came up with favorites among different categories of museums and historic sites.
For art museums, I selected the Detroit Institute of Arts being that I’m from the Detroit area, and because I love the Diego Rivera murals. I’ve also added the Rijkuseum in Amsterdam due to its wide variety of art, and my love of the Night Watch. It’s enormous and I can’t imagine painting something that size.
I also have two favorite churches. York Minster in England, is one. I enjoyed the magnificent stained glass and the undercroft crypts that speak to the history of the church.
Salisbury Cathedral, also in England, is on my list, too. I visited shortly after the poisoning of two Russians. The church, as well as the whole town, was displaying origami doves that were floating over the main aisle. And I was impressed with the baptismal font that’s very contemporary, located in the center of the sanctuary.
As for historic homes and castles, I’m fond of Anne Hathaway’s cottage in Stratford-upon-Avon that shows how people lived during Shakespeare’s time. And, Windsor Castle, west of London, is breathtaking!
When it comes to museums and historic sites that focus on history, I love Greenfield Village, outside Detroit, because of the diversity of buildings, the hands-on exhibits, and a bit because it’s a hometown icon. I also put the Archeological Museum of Athens on my list. The history is amazing and seeing artifacts that are 4000 years old or more is mind boggling!
As to ancient civilizations, I have two favorites. One is the Mexican Mayan pre-Columbian city of Chichen Itza. I was especially impressed by the snake shadow cast on the side of the staircase, and the vernal and autumnal equinoxes. In addition, I was moved by Ephesus, also known as the House of the Virgin Mary, in Turkey. Ephesus was a surprisingly large ancient city. Paul, from the Bible, took Mary, the mother of Jesus, to Ephesus to live out her last years. Many visitors have experienced physical healing after walking through her house. There is also a spring that is said to have holy healing water.
My last favorite category is what I refer to as historical experiences. In both the Anne Frank Museum in Amsterdam, and the Underground Railroad Museum in Cincinnati, I walked around with clenched fists over the inhumanity documented in both.
What's one thing that you look for in nearly all your museum visits? It might be something you want to see, to learn, to feel, or something else.
I look for something that teaches me or moves me with beauty, history, scientific knowledge, or spirituality. Every museum has things that grab me, some more than others!
When you go to a new town, how do you pick which museum(s) to visit?
I usually look for the “must see” museum(s) and then go on from there. Sometimes if we have time to wander, we will encounter museums that are tucked away that we are delighted to explore. Upcoming in London this spring, we are doing Kensington Palace, Hyde Park, Tower of London, Westminster Abbey, the Houses of Parliament, St. Paul’s Cathedral, the V&A, and the British Museum. As part of an organized tour, we are going to Bletchley Park, Churchill’s War Rooms, the Imperial War Museum, and the Normandy Beaches from D-Day. From there we go to Paris and Rouen on a river cruise.
What's one thing that you wish museums did differently?
Because we tend to have very packed days it’s always appreciated when there is enough seating to take a rest! I also really enjoy labels that give me more than the basics. Give me the history or details about the piece.
What was your first museum experience?
I think it was either the Detroit Institute of Arts or Greenfield Village. Although it might have been a museum in NYC but we moved back to Michigan just after I turned six so I don’t have clear memories of that.
Travel note
When Lindsey visits England, she and her husband often spend time on a canal boat, meandering from town to town through the British canals.
Thank you, Lindsey! I appreciate all that you shared!
Readers, have you been to any of the museums that Lindsey has been to? Did her museum experiences remind you of any museums or historic sites you’ve been?
Oh !!!! I want to go back to England !!
great post and some fabulous places visited,we share the love of museums and galleries and onarrowboats...I live on one!!