Collecting trees

The Museum is reviewing how we collect objects. We have a Victorian encyclopaedic collection but how do we make this collection and future acquisitions relevant in the 21st century and to present and future audiences?

We are looking at piloting a thematic collecting programme rather than a ‘filling the gaps’ way of collecting and have chosen the theme of trees. As trees have been important to the environment and human culture throughout the ages, this theme fits well to the two key aims of the Manchester Museum which are to promote understanding between cultures and to promote the development of a sustainable world. We plan to collect not only physical museum objects, but also information and photographs which tell the stories surrounding objects.

If you have something to say then we wold love to hear it, whether you want to tell us about your favourite tree, recommend objects for us to collect or to comment on our collecting programme. These are the questions we are asking people:

Any initial thoughts or comments?
What additional information should we collect with the objects?
What do you think the museum should be collecting for future audiences, visitors and researchers?
Would you like to see this theme running throughout the gallery exhibitions or just a framework that we use to collect?
Do you think this theme would be relevant to local audiences or do you have any suggestions for other themes?

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