Bringing Art to the People: A Brief History of Museum Tours
Perhaps one of the most important developments in democratising art, we take a look at the evolution of museums & tours up to the present day...
April 24, 2023
Museums have become a taken-for-granted part of our cultural landscape, but their history - specifically the way museums have interacted with the public - is less well known. In particular, we investigate how tours are a powerful, but surprisingly recent, device for the democratisation of art. Read on for a voyage through the history of museums and tours, and find out about an iconic London collection that embodies all that history, and more!
Museums as we know them seem like such a normal part of our everyday life that it is sometimes difficult to imagine a world without them. Nonetheless, the modern museum is a very recent invention, though one with roots going back thousands of years. From ancient Iraq, Greece and Egypt, remnants of 'museums' have made their way to us in different forms. The collection of princess Ennigaldi, dating from c.530 BCE at the end of the Neo-Babylonian empire, displayed items like a modern museum does today. Romans and Greeks, however, displayed their objects in temples, forums, gardens. Perhaps most memorably, the Library of Alexandria was connected to a Museum, the story of which has survived through time with the same gravitas as our museums today. Nonetheless, it is difficult today to imagine how exactly the 'general public' of ancient times interacted with these spaces - like many of the items in these spaces, the footsteps of the crowds did not survive the test of time.
A skip through time takes us to 17th Century Europe, where the private collections of wealthy individuals were the closest thing to what we would now recognise as a museum. These 'cabinets of curiosities' were a status symbol, showcasing the sprawl of knowledge and artefacts their owners possessed, most likely from their travels. A friend, family member or acquaintance of the owner may have been able to 'tour' the space, but these private collections were certainly not public spaces aimed at the education of the public (with certain notable exceptions).
In England, a 1753 Act of Parliament opened the first free, public museum - the British Museum. Although open to all in theory, the practice was a bit different. Following worries that crowds would damage the artefacts, a ticketing system was set up, where a potential visitor was to apply for a spot on one day, collect their ticket on a second day, and attend the tour at the appointment time on the ticket. This back and forth meant only those with free time could visit the collections; the tours were swift, and the space was not catered for large crowds.
This long history shows the increasingly large place ‘the public' has taken in museums - from no access, to some, to today practically being a condition of a museums’ existence (aside from research, which is also a key part of museums’ functions). Museum tours, specifically those catered to the public, highlight this evolution, as opposed to the much narrower options of the past: knowing the owner of a private collection or having free time during the day was the only way to access spaces like the British Museum.
Today, however, a museum or gallery cannot exist without its visitors, without finding its public. Touring is now at the core of museums’ activities, with free tours being a common offering at most museums. In small groups, these are a great way to receive an introduction to a collection. Tours are often led through a narrative - either a journey through time, or through the lens of a theme or character. This breaks down the massive collections and can make museums feel more accessible, building a visitor’s confidence to return, explore and appreciate the collections. It is worth noting that technology has played an increasingly important role in making museums more ‘tourable’. From the first use of audio guides in the 1950s reducing the need to have trained staff constantly present, to the use of virtual reality to bring artefacts to life, tours have become more personal and accessible.
The Wallace Collection embodies the history outlined above, going from a private home and collection to a fantastic museum, full of art, design and beautiful architecture. The Wallace Collection offers a free, daily, 1-hour tour of some highlights of the collection in which the visitors are taken on an introductory journey of the collection and its history, making the space more accessible and facilitating future visits. The bitesize information means a visitor may also be able to share this knowledge with their friends and family, expanding the reach of the tour and empowering the visitor.
Some highlights of the tour? From outside, the journey begins with a Wallace Fountain, transporting the visitor to Paris. Entering into the building, beautiful paintings line the walls. The history of the furniture and porcelain is also fascinating, featuring multiple examples of European attempts at recreating Chinese craft. A brief overview of the expansive collection of Dutch master paintings rounds off the memorable journey through time and space
The long history of museums, and its relation to the public’s place in them, highlights the key role tours have played and continue to play in our enjoyment of cultural spaces, making them more accessible and ‘human-sized’ and less like distant cultural sanctuaries. If you are looking for your next day out, why not discover the free tours proposed at the British Museum, the Tate Modern, the National Gallery of Ireland, the V&A or many, many more? Happy touring!
Be sure to check-in and collect your Yamos one the gowithYamo app with each exhibition you visit!
Museums have become a taken-for-granted part of our cultural landscape, but their history - specifically the way museums have interacted with the public - is less well known. In particular, we investigate how tours are a powerful, but surprisingly recent, device for the democratisation of art. Read on for a voyage through the history of museums and tours, and find out about an iconic London collection that embodies all that history, and more!
Museums as we know them seem like such a normal part of our everyday life that it is sometimes difficult to imagine a world without them. Nonetheless, the modern museum is a very recent invention, though one with roots going back thousands of years. From ancient Iraq, Greece and Egypt, remnants of 'museums' have made their way to us in different forms. The collection of princess Ennigaldi, dating from c.530 BCE at the end of the Neo-Babylonian empire, displayed items like a modern museum does today. Romans and Greeks, however, displayed their objects in temples, forums, gardens. Perhaps most memorably, the Library of Alexandria was connected to a Museum, the story of which has survived through time with the same gravitas as our museums today. Nonetheless, it is difficult today to imagine how exactly the 'general public' of ancient times interacted with these spaces - like many of the items in these spaces, the footsteps of the crowds did not survive the test of time.
A skip through time takes us to 17th Century Europe, where the private collections of wealthy individuals were the closest thing to what we would now recognise as a museum. These 'cabinets of curiosities' were a status symbol, showcasing the sprawl of knowledge and artefacts their owners possessed, most likely from their travels. A friend, family member or acquaintance of the owner may have been able to 'tour' the space, but these private collections were certainly not public spaces aimed at the education of the public (with certain notable exceptions).
In England, a 1753 Act of Parliament opened the first free, public museum - the British Museum. Although open to all in theory, the practice was a bit different. Following worries that crowds would damage the artefacts, a ticketing system was set up, where a potential visitor was to apply for a spot on one day, collect their ticket on a second day, and attend the tour at the appointment time on the ticket. This back and forth meant only those with free time could visit the collections; the tours were swift, and the space was not catered for large crowds.
This long history shows the increasingly large place ‘the public' has taken in museums - from no access, to some, to today practically being a condition of a museums’ existence (aside from research, which is also a key part of museums’ functions). Museum tours, specifically those catered to the public, highlight this evolution, as opposed to the much narrower options of the past: knowing the owner of a private collection or having free time during the day was the only way to access spaces like the British Museum.
Today, however, a museum or gallery cannot exist without its visitors, without finding its public. Touring is now at the core of museums’ activities, with free tours being a common offering at most museums. In small groups, these are a great way to receive an introduction to a collection. Tours are often led through a narrative - either a journey through time, or through the lens of a theme or character. This breaks down the massive collections and can make museums feel more accessible, building a visitor’s confidence to return, explore and appreciate the collections. It is worth noting that technology has played an increasingly important role in making museums more ‘tourable’. From the first use of audio guides in the 1950s reducing the need to have trained staff constantly present, to the use of virtual reality to bring artefacts to life, tours have become more personal and accessible.
The Wallace Collection embodies the history outlined above, going from a private home and collection to a fantastic museum, full of art, design and beautiful architecture. The Wallace Collection offers a free, daily, 1-hour tour of some highlights of the collection in which the visitors are taken on an introductory journey of the collection and its history, making the space more accessible and facilitating future visits. The bitesize information means a visitor may also be able to share this knowledge with their friends and family, expanding the reach of the tour and empowering the visitor.
Some highlights of the tour? From outside, the journey begins with a Wallace Fountain, transporting the visitor to Paris. Entering into the building, beautiful paintings line the walls. The history of the furniture and porcelain is also fascinating, featuring multiple examples of European attempts at recreating Chinese craft. A brief overview of the expansive collection of Dutch master paintings rounds off the memorable journey through time and space
The long history of museums, and its relation to the public’s place in them, highlights the key role tours have played and continue to play in our enjoyment of cultural spaces, making them more accessible and ‘human-sized’ and less like distant cultural sanctuaries. If you are looking for your next day out, why not discover the free tours proposed at the British Museum, the Tate Modern, the National Gallery of Ireland, the V&A or many, many more? Happy touring!
Be sure to check-in and collect your Yamos one the gowithYamo app with each exhibition you visit!
Museums have become a taken-for-granted part of our cultural landscape, but their history - specifically the way museums have interacted with the public - is less well known. In particular, we investigate how tours are a powerful, but surprisingly recent, device for the democratisation of art. Read on for a voyage through the history of museums and tours, and find out about an iconic London collection that embodies all that history, and more!
Museums as we know them seem like such a normal part of our everyday life that it is sometimes difficult to imagine a world without them. Nonetheless, the modern museum is a very recent invention, though one with roots going back thousands of years. From ancient Iraq, Greece and Egypt, remnants of 'museums' have made their way to us in different forms. The collection of princess Ennigaldi, dating from c.530 BCE at the end of the Neo-Babylonian empire, displayed items like a modern museum does today. Romans and Greeks, however, displayed their objects in temples, forums, gardens. Perhaps most memorably, the Library of Alexandria was connected to a Museum, the story of which has survived through time with the same gravitas as our museums today. Nonetheless, it is difficult today to imagine how exactly the 'general public' of ancient times interacted with these spaces - like many of the items in these spaces, the footsteps of the crowds did not survive the test of time.
A skip through time takes us to 17th Century Europe, where the private collections of wealthy individuals were the closest thing to what we would now recognise as a museum. These 'cabinets of curiosities' were a status symbol, showcasing the sprawl of knowledge and artefacts their owners possessed, most likely from their travels. A friend, family member or acquaintance of the owner may have been able to 'tour' the space, but these private collections were certainly not public spaces aimed at the education of the public (with certain notable exceptions).
In England, a 1753 Act of Parliament opened the first free, public museum - the British Museum. Although open to all in theory, the practice was a bit different. Following worries that crowds would damage the artefacts, a ticketing system was set up, where a potential visitor was to apply for a spot on one day, collect their ticket on a second day, and attend the tour at the appointment time on the ticket. This back and forth meant only those with free time could visit the collections; the tours were swift, and the space was not catered for large crowds.
This long history shows the increasingly large place ‘the public' has taken in museums - from no access, to some, to today practically being a condition of a museums’ existence (aside from research, which is also a key part of museums’ functions). Museum tours, specifically those catered to the public, highlight this evolution, as opposed to the much narrower options of the past: knowing the owner of a private collection or having free time during the day was the only way to access spaces like the British Museum.
Today, however, a museum or gallery cannot exist without its visitors, without finding its public. Touring is now at the core of museums’ activities, with free tours being a common offering at most museums. In small groups, these are a great way to receive an introduction to a collection. Tours are often led through a narrative - either a journey through time, or through the lens of a theme or character. This breaks down the massive collections and can make museums feel more accessible, building a visitor’s confidence to return, explore and appreciate the collections. It is worth noting that technology has played an increasingly important role in making museums more ‘tourable’. From the first use of audio guides in the 1950s reducing the need to have trained staff constantly present, to the use of virtual reality to bring artefacts to life, tours have become more personal and accessible.
The Wallace Collection embodies the history outlined above, going from a private home and collection to a fantastic museum, full of art, design and beautiful architecture. The Wallace Collection offers a free, daily, 1-hour tour of some highlights of the collection in which the visitors are taken on an introductory journey of the collection and its history, making the space more accessible and facilitating future visits. The bitesize information means a visitor may also be able to share this knowledge with their friends and family, expanding the reach of the tour and empowering the visitor.
Some highlights of the tour? From outside, the journey begins with a Wallace Fountain, transporting the visitor to Paris. Entering into the building, beautiful paintings line the walls. The history of the furniture and porcelain is also fascinating, featuring multiple examples of European attempts at recreating Chinese craft. A brief overview of the expansive collection of Dutch master paintings rounds off the memorable journey through time and space
The long history of museums, and its relation to the public’s place in them, highlights the key role tours have played and continue to play in our enjoyment of cultural spaces, making them more accessible and ‘human-sized’ and less like distant cultural sanctuaries. If you are looking for your next day out, why not discover the free tours proposed at the British Museum, the Tate Modern, the National Gallery of Ireland, the V&A or many, many more? Happy touring!
Be sure to check-in and collect your Yamos one the gowithYamo app with each exhibition you visit!
Museums have become a taken-for-granted part of our cultural landscape, but their history - specifically the way museums have interacted with the public - is less well known. In particular, we investigate how tours are a powerful, but surprisingly recent, device for the democratisation of art. Read on for a voyage through the history of museums and tours, and find out about an iconic London collection that embodies all that history, and more!
Museums as we know them seem like such a normal part of our everyday life that it is sometimes difficult to imagine a world without them. Nonetheless, the modern museum is a very recent invention, though one with roots going back thousands of years. From ancient Iraq, Greece and Egypt, remnants of 'museums' have made their way to us in different forms. The collection of princess Ennigaldi, dating from c.530 BCE at the end of the Neo-Babylonian empire, displayed items like a modern museum does today. Romans and Greeks, however, displayed their objects in temples, forums, gardens. Perhaps most memorably, the Library of Alexandria was connected to a Museum, the story of which has survived through time with the same gravitas as our museums today. Nonetheless, it is difficult today to imagine how exactly the 'general public' of ancient times interacted with these spaces - like many of the items in these spaces, the footsteps of the crowds did not survive the test of time.
A skip through time takes us to 17th Century Europe, where the private collections of wealthy individuals were the closest thing to what we would now recognise as a museum. These 'cabinets of curiosities' were a status symbol, showcasing the sprawl of knowledge and artefacts their owners possessed, most likely from their travels. A friend, family member or acquaintance of the owner may have been able to 'tour' the space, but these private collections were certainly not public spaces aimed at the education of the public (with certain notable exceptions).
In England, a 1753 Act of Parliament opened the first free, public museum - the British Museum. Although open to all in theory, the practice was a bit different. Following worries that crowds would damage the artefacts, a ticketing system was set up, where a potential visitor was to apply for a spot on one day, collect their ticket on a second day, and attend the tour at the appointment time on the ticket. This back and forth meant only those with free time could visit the collections; the tours were swift, and the space was not catered for large crowds.
This long history shows the increasingly large place ‘the public' has taken in museums - from no access, to some, to today practically being a condition of a museums’ existence (aside from research, which is also a key part of museums’ functions). Museum tours, specifically those catered to the public, highlight this evolution, as opposed to the much narrower options of the past: knowing the owner of a private collection or having free time during the day was the only way to access spaces like the British Museum.
Today, however, a museum or gallery cannot exist without its visitors, without finding its public. Touring is now at the core of museums’ activities, with free tours being a common offering at most museums. In small groups, these are a great way to receive an introduction to a collection. Tours are often led through a narrative - either a journey through time, or through the lens of a theme or character. This breaks down the massive collections and can make museums feel more accessible, building a visitor’s confidence to return, explore and appreciate the collections. It is worth noting that technology has played an increasingly important role in making museums more ‘tourable’. From the first use of audio guides in the 1950s reducing the need to have trained staff constantly present, to the use of virtual reality to bring artefacts to life, tours have become more personal and accessible.
The Wallace Collection embodies the history outlined above, going from a private home and collection to a fantastic museum, full of art, design and beautiful architecture. The Wallace Collection offers a free, daily, 1-hour tour of some highlights of the collection in which the visitors are taken on an introductory journey of the collection and its history, making the space more accessible and facilitating future visits. The bitesize information means a visitor may also be able to share this knowledge with their friends and family, expanding the reach of the tour and empowering the visitor.
Some highlights of the tour? From outside, the journey begins with a Wallace Fountain, transporting the visitor to Paris. Entering into the building, beautiful paintings line the walls. The history of the furniture and porcelain is also fascinating, featuring multiple examples of European attempts at recreating Chinese craft. A brief overview of the expansive collection of Dutch master paintings rounds off the memorable journey through time and space
The long history of museums, and its relation to the public’s place in them, highlights the key role tours have played and continue to play in our enjoyment of cultural spaces, making them more accessible and ‘human-sized’ and less like distant cultural sanctuaries. If you are looking for your next day out, why not discover the free tours proposed at the British Museum, the Tate Modern, the National Gallery of Ireland, the V&A or many, many more? Happy touring!
Be sure to check-in and collect your Yamos one the gowithYamo app with each exhibition you visit!
Museums have become a taken-for-granted part of our cultural landscape, but their history - specifically the way museums have interacted with the public - is less well known. In particular, we investigate how tours are a powerful, but surprisingly recent, device for the democratisation of art. Read on for a voyage through the history of museums and tours, and find out about an iconic London collection that embodies all that history, and more!
Museums as we know them seem like such a normal part of our everyday life that it is sometimes difficult to imagine a world without them. Nonetheless, the modern museum is a very recent invention, though one with roots going back thousands of years. From ancient Iraq, Greece and Egypt, remnants of 'museums' have made their way to us in different forms. The collection of princess Ennigaldi, dating from c.530 BCE at the end of the Neo-Babylonian empire, displayed items like a modern museum does today. Romans and Greeks, however, displayed their objects in temples, forums, gardens. Perhaps most memorably, the Library of Alexandria was connected to a Museum, the story of which has survived through time with the same gravitas as our museums today. Nonetheless, it is difficult today to imagine how exactly the 'general public' of ancient times interacted with these spaces - like many of the items in these spaces, the footsteps of the crowds did not survive the test of time.
A skip through time takes us to 17th Century Europe, where the private collections of wealthy individuals were the closest thing to what we would now recognise as a museum. These 'cabinets of curiosities' were a status symbol, showcasing the sprawl of knowledge and artefacts their owners possessed, most likely from their travels. A friend, family member or acquaintance of the owner may have been able to 'tour' the space, but these private collections were certainly not public spaces aimed at the education of the public (with certain notable exceptions).
In England, a 1753 Act of Parliament opened the first free, public museum - the British Museum. Although open to all in theory, the practice was a bit different. Following worries that crowds would damage the artefacts, a ticketing system was set up, where a potential visitor was to apply for a spot on one day, collect their ticket on a second day, and attend the tour at the appointment time on the ticket. This back and forth meant only those with free time could visit the collections; the tours were swift, and the space was not catered for large crowds.
This long history shows the increasingly large place ‘the public' has taken in museums - from no access, to some, to today practically being a condition of a museums’ existence (aside from research, which is also a key part of museums’ functions). Museum tours, specifically those catered to the public, highlight this evolution, as opposed to the much narrower options of the past: knowing the owner of a private collection or having free time during the day was the only way to access spaces like the British Museum.
Today, however, a museum or gallery cannot exist without its visitors, without finding its public. Touring is now at the core of museums’ activities, with free tours being a common offering at most museums. In small groups, these are a great way to receive an introduction to a collection. Tours are often led through a narrative - either a journey through time, or through the lens of a theme or character. This breaks down the massive collections and can make museums feel more accessible, building a visitor’s confidence to return, explore and appreciate the collections. It is worth noting that technology has played an increasingly important role in making museums more ‘tourable’. From the first use of audio guides in the 1950s reducing the need to have trained staff constantly present, to the use of virtual reality to bring artefacts to life, tours have become more personal and accessible.
The Wallace Collection embodies the history outlined above, going from a private home and collection to a fantastic museum, full of art, design and beautiful architecture. The Wallace Collection offers a free, daily, 1-hour tour of some highlights of the collection in which the visitors are taken on an introductory journey of the collection and its history, making the space more accessible and facilitating future visits. The bitesize information means a visitor may also be able to share this knowledge with their friends and family, expanding the reach of the tour and empowering the visitor.
Some highlights of the tour? From outside, the journey begins with a Wallace Fountain, transporting the visitor to Paris. Entering into the building, beautiful paintings line the walls. The history of the furniture and porcelain is also fascinating, featuring multiple examples of European attempts at recreating Chinese craft. A brief overview of the expansive collection of Dutch master paintings rounds off the memorable journey through time and space
The long history of museums, and its relation to the public’s place in them, highlights the key role tours have played and continue to play in our enjoyment of cultural spaces, making them more accessible and ‘human-sized’ and less like distant cultural sanctuaries. If you are looking for your next day out, why not discover the free tours proposed at the British Museum, the Tate Modern, the National Gallery of Ireland, the V&A or many, many more? Happy touring!
Be sure to check-in and collect your Yamos one the gowithYamo app with each exhibition you visit!
Museums have become a taken-for-granted part of our cultural landscape, but their history - specifically the way museums have interacted with the public - is less well known. In particular, we investigate how tours are a powerful, but surprisingly recent, device for the democratisation of art. Read on for a voyage through the history of museums and tours, and find out about an iconic London collection that embodies all that history, and more!
Museums as we know them seem like such a normal part of our everyday life that it is sometimes difficult to imagine a world without them. Nonetheless, the modern museum is a very recent invention, though one with roots going back thousands of years. From ancient Iraq, Greece and Egypt, remnants of 'museums' have made their way to us in different forms. The collection of princess Ennigaldi, dating from c.530 BCE at the end of the Neo-Babylonian empire, displayed items like a modern museum does today. Romans and Greeks, however, displayed their objects in temples, forums, gardens. Perhaps most memorably, the Library of Alexandria was connected to a Museum, the story of which has survived through time with the same gravitas as our museums today. Nonetheless, it is difficult today to imagine how exactly the 'general public' of ancient times interacted with these spaces - like many of the items in these spaces, the footsteps of the crowds did not survive the test of time.
A skip through time takes us to 17th Century Europe, where the private collections of wealthy individuals were the closest thing to what we would now recognise as a museum. These 'cabinets of curiosities' were a status symbol, showcasing the sprawl of knowledge and artefacts their owners possessed, most likely from their travels. A friend, family member or acquaintance of the owner may have been able to 'tour' the space, but these private collections were certainly not public spaces aimed at the education of the public (with certain notable exceptions).
In England, a 1753 Act of Parliament opened the first free, public museum - the British Museum. Although open to all in theory, the practice was a bit different. Following worries that crowds would damage the artefacts, a ticketing system was set up, where a potential visitor was to apply for a spot on one day, collect their ticket on a second day, and attend the tour at the appointment time on the ticket. This back and forth meant only those with free time could visit the collections; the tours were swift, and the space was not catered for large crowds.
This long history shows the increasingly large place ‘the public' has taken in museums - from no access, to some, to today practically being a condition of a museums’ existence (aside from research, which is also a key part of museums’ functions). Museum tours, specifically those catered to the public, highlight this evolution, as opposed to the much narrower options of the past: knowing the owner of a private collection or having free time during the day was the only way to access spaces like the British Museum.
Today, however, a museum or gallery cannot exist without its visitors, without finding its public. Touring is now at the core of museums’ activities, with free tours being a common offering at most museums. In small groups, these are a great way to receive an introduction to a collection. Tours are often led through a narrative - either a journey through time, or through the lens of a theme or character. This breaks down the massive collections and can make museums feel more accessible, building a visitor’s confidence to return, explore and appreciate the collections. It is worth noting that technology has played an increasingly important role in making museums more ‘tourable’. From the first use of audio guides in the 1950s reducing the need to have trained staff constantly present, to the use of virtual reality to bring artefacts to life, tours have become more personal and accessible.
The Wallace Collection embodies the history outlined above, going from a private home and collection to a fantastic museum, full of art, design and beautiful architecture. The Wallace Collection offers a free, daily, 1-hour tour of some highlights of the collection in which the visitors are taken on an introductory journey of the collection and its history, making the space more accessible and facilitating future visits. The bitesize information means a visitor may also be able to share this knowledge with their friends and family, expanding the reach of the tour and empowering the visitor.
Some highlights of the tour? From outside, the journey begins with a Wallace Fountain, transporting the visitor to Paris. Entering into the building, beautiful paintings line the walls. The history of the furniture and porcelain is also fascinating, featuring multiple examples of European attempts at recreating Chinese craft. A brief overview of the expansive collection of Dutch master paintings rounds off the memorable journey through time and space
The long history of museums, and its relation to the public’s place in them, highlights the key role tours have played and continue to play in our enjoyment of cultural spaces, making them more accessible and ‘human-sized’ and less like distant cultural sanctuaries. If you are looking for your next day out, why not discover the free tours proposed at the British Museum, the Tate Modern, the National Gallery of Ireland, the V&A or many, many more? Happy touring!
Be sure to check-in and collect your Yamos one the gowithYamo app with each exhibition you visit!
Museums have become a taken-for-granted part of our cultural landscape, but their history - specifically the way museums have interacted with the public - is less well known. In particular, we investigate how tours are a powerful, but surprisingly recent, device for the democratisation of art. Read on for a voyage through the history of museums and tours, and find out about an iconic London collection that embodies all that history, and more!
Museums as we know them seem like such a normal part of our everyday life that it is sometimes difficult to imagine a world without them. Nonetheless, the modern museum is a very recent invention, though one with roots going back thousands of years. From ancient Iraq, Greece and Egypt, remnants of 'museums' have made their way to us in different forms. The collection of princess Ennigaldi, dating from c.530 BCE at the end of the Neo-Babylonian empire, displayed items like a modern museum does today. Romans and Greeks, however, displayed their objects in temples, forums, gardens. Perhaps most memorably, the Library of Alexandria was connected to a Museum, the story of which has survived through time with the same gravitas as our museums today. Nonetheless, it is difficult today to imagine how exactly the 'general public' of ancient times interacted with these spaces - like many of the items in these spaces, the footsteps of the crowds did not survive the test of time.
A skip through time takes us to 17th Century Europe, where the private collections of wealthy individuals were the closest thing to what we would now recognise as a museum. These 'cabinets of curiosities' were a status symbol, showcasing the sprawl of knowledge and artefacts their owners possessed, most likely from their travels. A friend, family member or acquaintance of the owner may have been able to 'tour' the space, but these private collections were certainly not public spaces aimed at the education of the public (with certain notable exceptions).
In England, a 1753 Act of Parliament opened the first free, public museum - the British Museum. Although open to all in theory, the practice was a bit different. Following worries that crowds would damage the artefacts, a ticketing system was set up, where a potential visitor was to apply for a spot on one day, collect their ticket on a second day, and attend the tour at the appointment time on the ticket. This back and forth meant only those with free time could visit the collections; the tours were swift, and the space was not catered for large crowds.
This long history shows the increasingly large place ‘the public' has taken in museums - from no access, to some, to today practically being a condition of a museums’ existence (aside from research, which is also a key part of museums’ functions). Museum tours, specifically those catered to the public, highlight this evolution, as opposed to the much narrower options of the past: knowing the owner of a private collection or having free time during the day was the only way to access spaces like the British Museum.
Today, however, a museum or gallery cannot exist without its visitors, without finding its public. Touring is now at the core of museums’ activities, with free tours being a common offering at most museums. In small groups, these are a great way to receive an introduction to a collection. Tours are often led through a narrative - either a journey through time, or through the lens of a theme or character. This breaks down the massive collections and can make museums feel more accessible, building a visitor’s confidence to return, explore and appreciate the collections. It is worth noting that technology has played an increasingly important role in making museums more ‘tourable’. From the first use of audio guides in the 1950s reducing the need to have trained staff constantly present, to the use of virtual reality to bring artefacts to life, tours have become more personal and accessible.
The Wallace Collection embodies the history outlined above, going from a private home and collection to a fantastic museum, full of art, design and beautiful architecture. The Wallace Collection offers a free, daily, 1-hour tour of some highlights of the collection in which the visitors are taken on an introductory journey of the collection and its history, making the space more accessible and facilitating future visits. The bitesize information means a visitor may also be able to share this knowledge with their friends and family, expanding the reach of the tour and empowering the visitor.
Some highlights of the tour? From outside, the journey begins with a Wallace Fountain, transporting the visitor to Paris. Entering into the building, beautiful paintings line the walls. The history of the furniture and porcelain is also fascinating, featuring multiple examples of European attempts at recreating Chinese craft. A brief overview of the expansive collection of Dutch master paintings rounds off the memorable journey through time and space
The long history of museums, and its relation to the public’s place in them, highlights the key role tours have played and continue to play in our enjoyment of cultural spaces, making them more accessible and ‘human-sized’ and less like distant cultural sanctuaries. If you are looking for your next day out, why not discover the free tours proposed at the British Museum, the Tate Modern, the National Gallery of Ireland, the V&A or many, many more? Happy touring!
Be sure to check-in and collect your Yamos one the gowithYamo app with each exhibition you visit!
Museums have become a taken-for-granted part of our cultural landscape, but their history - specifically the way museums have interacted with the public - is less well known. In particular, we investigate how tours are a powerful, but surprisingly recent, device for the democratisation of art. Read on for a voyage through the history of museums and tours, and find out about an iconic London collection that embodies all that history, and more!
Museums as we know them seem like such a normal part of our everyday life that it is sometimes difficult to imagine a world without them. Nonetheless, the modern museum is a very recent invention, though one with roots going back thousands of years. From ancient Iraq, Greece and Egypt, remnants of 'museums' have made their way to us in different forms. The collection of princess Ennigaldi, dating from c.530 BCE at the end of the Neo-Babylonian empire, displayed items like a modern museum does today. Romans and Greeks, however, displayed their objects in temples, forums, gardens. Perhaps most memorably, the Library of Alexandria was connected to a Museum, the story of which has survived through time with the same gravitas as our museums today. Nonetheless, it is difficult today to imagine how exactly the 'general public' of ancient times interacted with these spaces - like many of the items in these spaces, the footsteps of the crowds did not survive the test of time.
A skip through time takes us to 17th Century Europe, where the private collections of wealthy individuals were the closest thing to what we would now recognise as a museum. These 'cabinets of curiosities' were a status symbol, showcasing the sprawl of knowledge and artefacts their owners possessed, most likely from their travels. A friend, family member or acquaintance of the owner may have been able to 'tour' the space, but these private collections were certainly not public spaces aimed at the education of the public (with certain notable exceptions).
In England, a 1753 Act of Parliament opened the first free, public museum - the British Museum. Although open to all in theory, the practice was a bit different. Following worries that crowds would damage the artefacts, a ticketing system was set up, where a potential visitor was to apply for a spot on one day, collect their ticket on a second day, and attend the tour at the appointment time on the ticket. This back and forth meant only those with free time could visit the collections; the tours were swift, and the space was not catered for large crowds.
This long history shows the increasingly large place ‘the public' has taken in museums - from no access, to some, to today practically being a condition of a museums’ existence (aside from research, which is also a key part of museums’ functions). Museum tours, specifically those catered to the public, highlight this evolution, as opposed to the much narrower options of the past: knowing the owner of a private collection or having free time during the day was the only way to access spaces like the British Museum.
Today, however, a museum or gallery cannot exist without its visitors, without finding its public. Touring is now at the core of museums’ activities, with free tours being a common offering at most museums. In small groups, these are a great way to receive an introduction to a collection. Tours are often led through a narrative - either a journey through time, or through the lens of a theme or character. This breaks down the massive collections and can make museums feel more accessible, building a visitor’s confidence to return, explore and appreciate the collections. It is worth noting that technology has played an increasingly important role in making museums more ‘tourable’. From the first use of audio guides in the 1950s reducing the need to have trained staff constantly present, to the use of virtual reality to bring artefacts to life, tours have become more personal and accessible.
The Wallace Collection embodies the history outlined above, going from a private home and collection to a fantastic museum, full of art, design and beautiful architecture. The Wallace Collection offers a free, daily, 1-hour tour of some highlights of the collection in which the visitors are taken on an introductory journey of the collection and its history, making the space more accessible and facilitating future visits. The bitesize information means a visitor may also be able to share this knowledge with their friends and family, expanding the reach of the tour and empowering the visitor.
Some highlights of the tour? From outside, the journey begins with a Wallace Fountain, transporting the visitor to Paris. Entering into the building, beautiful paintings line the walls. The history of the furniture and porcelain is also fascinating, featuring multiple examples of European attempts at recreating Chinese craft. A brief overview of the expansive collection of Dutch master paintings rounds off the memorable journey through time and space
The long history of museums, and its relation to the public’s place in them, highlights the key role tours have played and continue to play in our enjoyment of cultural spaces, making them more accessible and ‘human-sized’ and less like distant cultural sanctuaries. If you are looking for your next day out, why not discover the free tours proposed at the British Museum, the Tate Modern, the National Gallery of Ireland, the V&A or many, many more? Happy touring!
Be sure to check-in and collect your Yamos one the gowithYamo app with each exhibition you visit!
Museums have become a taken-for-granted part of our cultural landscape, but their history - specifically the way museums have interacted with the public - is less well known. In particular, we investigate how tours are a powerful, but surprisingly recent, device for the democratisation of art. Read on for a voyage through the history of museums and tours, and find out about an iconic London collection that embodies all that history, and more!
Museums as we know them seem like such a normal part of our everyday life that it is sometimes difficult to imagine a world without them. Nonetheless, the modern museum is a very recent invention, though one with roots going back thousands of years. From ancient Iraq, Greece and Egypt, remnants of 'museums' have made their way to us in different forms. The collection of princess Ennigaldi, dating from c.530 BCE at the end of the Neo-Babylonian empire, displayed items like a modern museum does today. Romans and Greeks, however, displayed their objects in temples, forums, gardens. Perhaps most memorably, the Library of Alexandria was connected to a Museum, the story of which has survived through time with the same gravitas as our museums today. Nonetheless, it is difficult today to imagine how exactly the 'general public' of ancient times interacted with these spaces - like many of the items in these spaces, the footsteps of the crowds did not survive the test of time.
A skip through time takes us to 17th Century Europe, where the private collections of wealthy individuals were the closest thing to what we would now recognise as a museum. These 'cabinets of curiosities' were a status symbol, showcasing the sprawl of knowledge and artefacts their owners possessed, most likely from their travels. A friend, family member or acquaintance of the owner may have been able to 'tour' the space, but these private collections were certainly not public spaces aimed at the education of the public (with certain notable exceptions).
In England, a 1753 Act of Parliament opened the first free, public museum - the British Museum. Although open to all in theory, the practice was a bit different. Following worries that crowds would damage the artefacts, a ticketing system was set up, where a potential visitor was to apply for a spot on one day, collect their ticket on a second day, and attend the tour at the appointment time on the ticket. This back and forth meant only those with free time could visit the collections; the tours were swift, and the space was not catered for large crowds.
This long history shows the increasingly large place ‘the public' has taken in museums - from no access, to some, to today practically being a condition of a museums’ existence (aside from research, which is also a key part of museums’ functions). Museum tours, specifically those catered to the public, highlight this evolution, as opposed to the much narrower options of the past: knowing the owner of a private collection or having free time during the day was the only way to access spaces like the British Museum.
Today, however, a museum or gallery cannot exist without its visitors, without finding its public. Touring is now at the core of museums’ activities, with free tours being a common offering at most museums. In small groups, these are a great way to receive an introduction to a collection. Tours are often led through a narrative - either a journey through time, or through the lens of a theme or character. This breaks down the massive collections and can make museums feel more accessible, building a visitor’s confidence to return, explore and appreciate the collections. It is worth noting that technology has played an increasingly important role in making museums more ‘tourable’. From the first use of audio guides in the 1950s reducing the need to have trained staff constantly present, to the use of virtual reality to bring artefacts to life, tours have become more personal and accessible.
The Wallace Collection embodies the history outlined above, going from a private home and collection to a fantastic museum, full of art, design and beautiful architecture. The Wallace Collection offers a free, daily, 1-hour tour of some highlights of the collection in which the visitors are taken on an introductory journey of the collection and its history, making the space more accessible and facilitating future visits. The bitesize information means a visitor may also be able to share this knowledge with their friends and family, expanding the reach of the tour and empowering the visitor.
Some highlights of the tour? From outside, the journey begins with a Wallace Fountain, transporting the visitor to Paris. Entering into the building, beautiful paintings line the walls. The history of the furniture and porcelain is also fascinating, featuring multiple examples of European attempts at recreating Chinese craft. A brief overview of the expansive collection of Dutch master paintings rounds off the memorable journey through time and space
The long history of museums, and its relation to the public’s place in them, highlights the key role tours have played and continue to play in our enjoyment of cultural spaces, making them more accessible and ‘human-sized’ and less like distant cultural sanctuaries. If you are looking for your next day out, why not discover the free tours proposed at the British Museum, the Tate Modern, the National Gallery of Ireland, the V&A or many, many more? Happy touring!
Be sure to check-in and collect your Yamos one the gowithYamo app with each exhibition you visit!
Museums have become a taken-for-granted part of our cultural landscape, but their history - specifically the way museums have interacted with the public - is less well known. In particular, we investigate how tours are a powerful, but surprisingly recent, device for the democratisation of art. Read on for a voyage through the history of museums and tours, and find out about an iconic London collection that embodies all that history, and more!
Museums as we know them seem like such a normal part of our everyday life that it is sometimes difficult to imagine a world without them. Nonetheless, the modern museum is a very recent invention, though one with roots going back thousands of years. From ancient Iraq, Greece and Egypt, remnants of 'museums' have made their way to us in different forms. The collection of princess Ennigaldi, dating from c.530 BCE at the end of the Neo-Babylonian empire, displayed items like a modern museum does today. Romans and Greeks, however, displayed their objects in temples, forums, gardens. Perhaps most memorably, the Library of Alexandria was connected to a Museum, the story of which has survived through time with the same gravitas as our museums today. Nonetheless, it is difficult today to imagine how exactly the 'general public' of ancient times interacted with these spaces - like many of the items in these spaces, the footsteps of the crowds did not survive the test of time.
A skip through time takes us to 17th Century Europe, where the private collections of wealthy individuals were the closest thing to what we would now recognise as a museum. These 'cabinets of curiosities' were a status symbol, showcasing the sprawl of knowledge and artefacts their owners possessed, most likely from their travels. A friend, family member or acquaintance of the owner may have been able to 'tour' the space, but these private collections were certainly not public spaces aimed at the education of the public (with certain notable exceptions).
In England, a 1753 Act of Parliament opened the first free, public museum - the British Museum. Although open to all in theory, the practice was a bit different. Following worries that crowds would damage the artefacts, a ticketing system was set up, where a potential visitor was to apply for a spot on one day, collect their ticket on a second day, and attend the tour at the appointment time on the ticket. This back and forth meant only those with free time could visit the collections; the tours were swift, and the space was not catered for large crowds.
This long history shows the increasingly large place ‘the public' has taken in museums - from no access, to some, to today practically being a condition of a museums’ existence (aside from research, which is also a key part of museums’ functions). Museum tours, specifically those catered to the public, highlight this evolution, as opposed to the much narrower options of the past: knowing the owner of a private collection or having free time during the day was the only way to access spaces like the British Museum.
Today, however, a museum or gallery cannot exist without its visitors, without finding its public. Touring is now at the core of museums’ activities, with free tours being a common offering at most museums. In small groups, these are a great way to receive an introduction to a collection. Tours are often led through a narrative - either a journey through time, or through the lens of a theme or character. This breaks down the massive collections and can make museums feel more accessible, building a visitor’s confidence to return, explore and appreciate the collections. It is worth noting that technology has played an increasingly important role in making museums more ‘tourable’. From the first use of audio guides in the 1950s reducing the need to have trained staff constantly present, to the use of virtual reality to bring artefacts to life, tours have become more personal and accessible.
The Wallace Collection embodies the history outlined above, going from a private home and collection to a fantastic museum, full of art, design and beautiful architecture. The Wallace Collection offers a free, daily, 1-hour tour of some highlights of the collection in which the visitors are taken on an introductory journey of the collection and its history, making the space more accessible and facilitating future visits. The bitesize information means a visitor may also be able to share this knowledge with their friends and family, expanding the reach of the tour and empowering the visitor.
Some highlights of the tour? From outside, the journey begins with a Wallace Fountain, transporting the visitor to Paris. Entering into the building, beautiful paintings line the walls. The history of the furniture and porcelain is also fascinating, featuring multiple examples of European attempts at recreating Chinese craft. A brief overview of the expansive collection of Dutch master paintings rounds off the memorable journey through time and space
The long history of museums, and its relation to the public’s place in them, highlights the key role tours have played and continue to play in our enjoyment of cultural spaces, making them more accessible and ‘human-sized’ and less like distant cultural sanctuaries. If you are looking for your next day out, why not discover the free tours proposed at the British Museum, the Tate Modern, the National Gallery of Ireland, the V&A or many, many more? Happy touring!
Be sure to check-in and collect your Yamos one the gowithYamo app with each exhibition you visit!
Museums have become a taken-for-granted part of our cultural landscape, but their history - specifically the way museums have interacted with the public - is less well known. In particular, we investigate how tours are a powerful, but surprisingly recent, device for the democratisation of art. Read on for a voyage through the history of museums and tours, and find out about an iconic London collection that embodies all that history, and more!
Museums as we know them seem like such a normal part of our everyday life that it is sometimes difficult to imagine a world without them. Nonetheless, the modern museum is a very recent invention, though one with roots going back thousands of years. From ancient Iraq, Greece and Egypt, remnants of 'museums' have made their way to us in different forms. The collection of princess Ennigaldi, dating from c.530 BCE at the end of the Neo-Babylonian empire, displayed items like a modern museum does today. Romans and Greeks, however, displayed their objects in temples, forums, gardens. Perhaps most memorably, the Library of Alexandria was connected to a Museum, the story of which has survived through time with the same gravitas as our museums today. Nonetheless, it is difficult today to imagine how exactly the 'general public' of ancient times interacted with these spaces - like many of the items in these spaces, the footsteps of the crowds did not survive the test of time.
A skip through time takes us to 17th Century Europe, where the private collections of wealthy individuals were the closest thing to what we would now recognise as a museum. These 'cabinets of curiosities' were a status symbol, showcasing the sprawl of knowledge and artefacts their owners possessed, most likely from their travels. A friend, family member or acquaintance of the owner may have been able to 'tour' the space, but these private collections were certainly not public spaces aimed at the education of the public (with certain notable exceptions).
In England, a 1753 Act of Parliament opened the first free, public museum - the British Museum. Although open to all in theory, the practice was a bit different. Following worries that crowds would damage the artefacts, a ticketing system was set up, where a potential visitor was to apply for a spot on one day, collect their ticket on a second day, and attend the tour at the appointment time on the ticket. This back and forth meant only those with free time could visit the collections; the tours were swift, and the space was not catered for large crowds.
This long history shows the increasingly large place ‘the public' has taken in museums - from no access, to some, to today practically being a condition of a museums’ existence (aside from research, which is also a key part of museums’ functions). Museum tours, specifically those catered to the public, highlight this evolution, as opposed to the much narrower options of the past: knowing the owner of a private collection or having free time during the day was the only way to access spaces like the British Museum.
Today, however, a museum or gallery cannot exist without its visitors, without finding its public. Touring is now at the core of museums’ activities, with free tours being a common offering at most museums. In small groups, these are a great way to receive an introduction to a collection. Tours are often led through a narrative - either a journey through time, or through the lens of a theme or character. This breaks down the massive collections and can make museums feel more accessible, building a visitor’s confidence to return, explore and appreciate the collections. It is worth noting that technology has played an increasingly important role in making museums more ‘tourable’. From the first use of audio guides in the 1950s reducing the need to have trained staff constantly present, to the use of virtual reality to bring artefacts to life, tours have become more personal and accessible.
The Wallace Collection embodies the history outlined above, going from a private home and collection to a fantastic museum, full of art, design and beautiful architecture. The Wallace Collection offers a free, daily, 1-hour tour of some highlights of the collection in which the visitors are taken on an introductory journey of the collection and its history, making the space more accessible and facilitating future visits. The bitesize information means a visitor may also be able to share this knowledge with their friends and family, expanding the reach of the tour and empowering the visitor.
Some highlights of the tour? From outside, the journey begins with a Wallace Fountain, transporting the visitor to Paris. Entering into the building, beautiful paintings line the walls. The history of the furniture and porcelain is also fascinating, featuring multiple examples of European attempts at recreating Chinese craft. A brief overview of the expansive collection of Dutch master paintings rounds off the memorable journey through time and space
The long history of museums, and its relation to the public’s place in them, highlights the key role tours have played and continue to play in our enjoyment of cultural spaces, making them more accessible and ‘human-sized’ and less like distant cultural sanctuaries. If you are looking for your next day out, why not discover the free tours proposed at the British Museum, the Tate Modern, the National Gallery of Ireland, the V&A or many, many more? Happy touring!
Be sure to check-in and collect your Yamos one the gowithYamo app with each exhibition you visit!
