Why Do Museums Display Objects in Glass Cases?

The new Greenough Museum is a more hands-on experience. We actually encourage people to touch. However, there are some objects that need to be encased because of their significance to Greenough and their fragility. One such object is the Royce rockinghorse.

With support from the City of Greater Geraldton, a perspex case was made to place over this toy. When the perspex case arrived it was partially covered in brown paper, and a decision was made to leave that paper on so that visitors could write their comments about why this toy was encased.

This has been popular with both children and adults. Some of the comments written include:-

Very important to preserve, part of our history and can’t be replaced – Janice

Sometimes glass is appropriated but it diminishes the ‘real’ experience of being a part of history. Prefer no glass.

Why is it in a cage?

 Why not it is old and we have to keep memories – Jayga.

But memory is a thought, isn’t that enough? Let things die.

Nasty.

Yes, because when I was young we had a rocking horse and my aunt sold it as she didn’t value it. I’m 67 and still miss it.

An old-fashioned rose.

Last year, we were given 2 cuttings of a climbing rose, that came from a plant growing behind the Walkaway Hotel. Being a very vigorous grower, it soon covered the archway leading to the Vegie Garden. Now it has bloomed for the first time, and it's a beauty.

 

Not knowing its proper name, we refer to it as the "Tibradden Rose". This is because there is a  suggestion that this rose, also found growing on neighbouring pastoral properties to the east of Geraldton, could have been brought out from Ireland in the 1850s by the people who established those properties.

Preserving Objects

Elizabeth Maley was noted for her ability to preserve fruits and vegetables grown in her garden.
We are continuing that tradition, but with a new twist. So as to make smaller objects from the collection accessible to visitors, we are placing those objects in Fowlers preserving jars.

Free Book Exchange

As part of our commitment to make this museum more friendly to community and visitors, we have now installed a free book exchange just inside the front gate. This delightful little structure was made for us by The Menshed Geraldton and can hold approximately 14 books. So if you have a book you want to exchange come in and see what we have available.