For the theme of the 2007 conference, we return to the core, the heart and soul of the museum mission. There are between 500 and 1,300 museums in New England, depending on whom you ask—and whether or not you include historical societies and lighthouses. A working definition of “museum” would seem to be in order!

For many of us who work in the museum field, collecting and preserving material objects is what sets us apart. Thus museums function as a pause, even a coda, amidst the rushing stream of time, change, loss, and disintegration. Preservation is essential to our mission. And yet the tremendous diversity of the museum field, which includes children’s museums, science centers and all manner of non-collecting institutions, challenges this single defining trait.

Museums are also defined by the direct interaction they provide with objects, images and ideas. This interface takes place in a controlled setting outside the home—virtual experiences don’t qualify. The museum experience is also a public experience, distinguishing museums from private collections. There is a specific place set aside for the museum and socializing with others in the same space is an integral part of the museum experience.

Museums’ commitment to education that meets high standards of interpretation rounds out their mission to operate in the public trust. So the essence of the museum is the integration of four characteristics: objects, education, interaction, and a place that functions as a public square.

To those who revel in museums’ diversity, the matter of their definition may seem irrelevant. But our common challenges and needs are real. Experience tells us that to deliver a powerful presentation of our needs, make a successful case for the value of museums, and garner support for our institutions, it is critically important that museums convey a constant message through certain crucial, key qualities.

Join us in Portland in 2007. Deepen your understanding of our collective mission; learn how to improve upon what we do; and explore new ways of demonstrating to your audiences, donors and the general public What Makes the Museum.