Museums are More Than Vaults of the Past

Photo by M. Paula Barquero

I have worked at a museum for some time now, and from my experience these places are often seen as vaults of the past. However, museums are far more than just containers of old objects. They are places that constantly help us understand the past, they make us feel present and even imagine the future.

In a museum time blends together, it is a place where ancient meets modern, from a fossil from thousands of years ago to a digital exhibit. These objects do not just show us what happened millions of years ago, they ask us to connect them to our lives today. They make us reflect on the objects on display, where they come from, what they mean and at least for me, how they shape our understanding of the world.  

Museums are also spaces of inspiration. When we step inside one, we are not just seeing artifacts of the past, we are connecting with new thoughts and ideas while exploring history, art and creativity. They are a constant reminder that history is not just something behind us, it is something we carry with us. As my literature teacher Luz Ortega said, “People that don’t know their history tend to repeat it.”

To get more insight on this topic, I reached out to Director Daniel Carey-Whalen of the Centennial Museum and Chihuahuan Desert Gardens, who shared his opinion on the importance of museums. 

“The role of museums in society is becoming more important, especially in an age of divisiveness, fragmentation and digital inundation,” Carey Whalen said. “Traditionally, museums have been a trusted institution, praised for conveying the truth and displaying real, tangible objects. As museums transition to become more accessible to a larger number of people, this integrity will enable us to include more people's histories and their relationships with the environment into our collective stories. That's what it is all about,sharing a wider variety of stories and healing the divisiveness of our current situation.”  

Carey-Whalen’s perspective captures perfectly the importance of museums. They are no longer just preserving ancient artifacts, they are  places where people can come together and share stories. They remind us that history is alive and crucial for understanding who we are and where we came from. In this world where so much feels uncertain, museums help us ground ourselves.

So, are museums really just vaults of the past? No, It is in these spaces that we learn not only from our ancestors, but about ourselves.

About Me

M. Paula Barquero is a contributor at Women In Media and may be reached at mpbarquero@miners.utep.edu