Article on renovations at the Peabody, Yale

[ceratopsian]

An article from Yale News about progress on the Peabody's renovations, with quite a spotlight on Poposaurus.  Worth a read!

https://news.yale.edu/2020/11/11/mona-lisas-mesozoic-take-center-stage-renewed-peabody?fbclid=IwAR32MM-6xFUkKEZEm-MbHUQEBCSqDgWK0kreIicQK182OGnNNZilHkFzNSk

[Newt]

Ooh, nice! I hope I get to see that someday.

[ceratopsian]

I'd love to too - one day, if travel is ever an option once more for older people like me!

Ooh, nice! I hope I get to see that someday.

[Pachyrhinosaurus]

I can't say I'm looking forward to it. These types of overhauls take away much of the interest from older exhibits, in my opinion. They're over lit, less dense, and of course the classic models are taken off exhibit, as was done in the Smithsonian. I wanted to drive up there last year before they closed but unfortunately due to short notice didn't make it. Hopefully the new exhibit keeps a sense of character when it re-opens. I'm sure I'll go visit even if I do prefer the old hall.

[CityRaptor]

Well, they will obviously keep their most famous outdated thing, the iconic Age of Reptiles mural. And that's good.

[Pachyrhinosaurus]

Yes I am glad that's staying up. I believe the Age of Mammals mural will remain as well.

[Halichoeres]

I can't say I'm looking forward to it. These types of overhauls take away much of the interest from older exhibits, in my opinion. They're over lit, less dense, and of course the classic models are taken off exhibit, as was done in the Smithsonian. I wanted to drive up there last year before they closed but unfortunately due to short notice didn't make it. Hopefully the new exhibit keeps a sense of character when it re-opens. I'm sure I'll go visit even if I do prefer the old hall.

I also like densely packed displays of fossils, but from my time working in museums I think that most visitors find that somewhat foreign or even intimidating.

I also missed a chance to see the Peabody last summer because on my New England road trip I happened to be in New Haven on a Monday, when the museum is closed. Pretty disappointing.

[ceratopsian]

My experience from working in a museum (not fossils though) is similar.  If you overwhelm people with too much in the way of densely packed cases and exhibits, they tend to take less away from the experience (and often stay less time too).  I'm not advocating stripping back exhibits to virtually nothing of course - it's a question of finding a balance that will display and explain exhibits clearly.  It's always worth remembering that most people who visit public displays are not experts in whatever they're looking at.  The knack is trying to create an exhibition space where both the knowledgeable visitor and the one who is fresh to the subject will both be satisfied.

[Pachyrhinosaurus]

Interesting thoughts. As someone who likes to see everything an exhibit has to offer, I can see how more casual museum-goers get overwhelmed.  It is disappointing though when so many interesting exhibits are taken off display.

To me, this just looks more appealing than the renderings:

[ceratopsian]

I'm just like you when I visit an exhibition or gallery. Same with archaeological sites too. I always get left far behind by friends or husband because they pick and choose and skim, while I methodically work my way round in detail. Then when I come up for air, to my surprise my companion is nowhere in sight. They have been known to have taken refuge in the cafe!  I once found myself alone at the first major building at Persepolis when the IT colleague with me gave up waiting and wandered off. But I know that the vast majority of visitors are not like me!

Interesting thoughts. As someone who likes to see everything an exhibit has to offer, I can see how more casual museum-goers get overwhelmed.  It is disappointing though when so many interesting exhibits are taken off display.

To me, this just looks more appealing than the renderings:

[laticauda]

I totally agree that most people do not take the time to read the information that is presented.

I used to go to the museums in the area a lot with school groups and summer camp kids.  I always got a laugh at the fact that the other adults and kids were amazed at how much information I knew about each exhibit.  I love to say all my knowledge came from my own memory, but some of it came from the fact I just read the information on the plaque first before speaking about it with my group of kids.  None of the other teachers or adults did that.  I would hear some, shall we say, misinformation, as they would be talking out of their ...  All they had to do is take two seconds and read, then think over the information before opening their mouth.