A workbook for Local Museums Piloting of the local museum workbook at Tohmajärvi Iiris Heino Curator North Karelian Museum 5.6. 2010 The house of pharmacist Nyman, built in 1874
Tohmajärvi 1800 4060 1920 10 927 1960 11 892 2010 5057
The museum locations of the Tohmajärvi Society Tohmajärvi-seura ry (the Tohmajärvi Society) is an active association with approximately 40 active members The society maintains a museum area in central Tohmajärvi, comprising the Nyman house with its surroundings and the Pitäjä (Parish)) museum consisting of several buildings. In addition, there is a hydroelectric power plant museum in the village of Saario. The exhibition facilities are the in the buildings themselves. The museums are open from midsummer to the beginning of August, 30 hours a week.
The museum locations of the Tohmajärvi Society In recent years, visitor numbers have fluctuated between around 300 and a little more than 400 visitors. All museum buildings are owned by the Tohmajärvi Society. The land of the museum area and the Nyman house is owned by the municipality of Tohmajärvi. Part of the objects exhibited in the Nyman house are also owned by the municipality. The Pitäjä (Parish) museum objects and part of the Nyman objects belong to the Tohmajärvi Society. The society also takes care of the municipality s museum objects.
The workbook and the museum area development project A development project is about to start in the museum area: 1. Converting a farm hands cottage into a café and exhibition space
2. Toilet facilities, at least one disabled toilet
3. Replacement of the roof of the granary
4. Renovation of the garden
5. Acquisition of advertisement/direction signs, preparation of a brochure 6. Moving an old building that is to be used as a storage space by the museum 7. Seating and car park for the summer theatre 8. Increasing the utilisation rate of the entire museum and summer theatre area; increased visitors
Filling in the workbook, 20 May 2010 Four people participated: the chairperson of the Tohmajärvi Society; the secretary; a new member interested in museum work; and a local museum advisor The local museum advisor read through the workbook, clarified some parts of it and made notes The workbook had not been sent beforehand to the members of the society As the buildings and environs had already been gone through in the museum area development project, they were not considered Because of the project, section 1.2 of the workbook was given special attention
1.2. Transmission of cultural heritage The purpose of the project is to increase the use and visitor numbers of the museum, but the methods had not been specified except for in the case of outdoor signboards Here, the workbook only includes the things that this museum area will need from the visitor s viewpoint There are many deficiencies, but it is positive that the society has funding through the project for the development ideas that arose: signs giving directions from the highway; an outdoor signboard for the area; a general brochure about the area, including in foreign languages (English, Russian) Many realistic development ideas arose here
Comments from the Tohmajärvi Society members Anna-Maija, new member of the Tohmajärvi Society: - I have already received a lot of information about the museum - It s good to think about these things together and to record our thoughts on paper - It s good to receive immediate feedback from a professional Liisa, chairperson of the Tohmajärvi Society: - Some of the terms are too professional must be translated into ordinary language - The division is good and concrete - Many of the things have been discussed at meetings, but they are hard to find in the minutes; here we have a concentrated overview on the museum matters, which makes them easy to find.
Comments from the Tohmajärvi Society members Ritva, secretary of the Tohmajärvi Society: - It s good to have all the different sides of the museum in one place - This will be distributed to all the board members! - Own work copies to all members; makes it easier to remember - A good tool The living room of Nyman s house
My own comments - With the workbook, you yourself learn a lot about the museum location - Sufficient time is needed; we began to tire towards the end - An entire visit should be devoted solely to the workbook - Practical and flexible: you can pick the things that are important for each location - A good tool all around; helps in going through the museum s fields of operation in a concentrated way - Transcribe the loose notes as soon as possible! There is a lot of talk, and not all of it can be taken down
This is the end result Tavoite Suoritustaso Huomioita ja muistiinpanoja Kehittämisideoita 1. Museon perusnäyttely on ajan tasalla Sisältö vastaa museon toiminta-ajatusta Näyttelyn uusimisen tarvetta on arvioitu Sisällössä on otettu huomioon erilaisten kävijöiden tarpeet Tietosisältö on riittävä Sisältöjä on tuotu esiin myös toiminnallisin ja elämyksellisin keinoin - ok, kyseessä hieno kokonaisuus - kyllä -aika vähän - voisi olla enemmänkin - ei juuri -nukkeja, joilla Nymanien asuja - pieni vaihtuva näyttely myös Nymanien taloon, koska aineistoa on. Esim. tänä vuonna apteekin 150 v juhla huomioitu -lapsille jotakin omaa, vaikka vanhan ajan leluja 2. Perusnäyttely on yleisöystävällinen (museon saavutettavuus): Näyttelyrakenteet ovat siistit Näyttelyrakenteet ovat turvalliset Valaistus on riittävä Tekstitykset ovat luettavat ja siistit Näyttelyssä on havainnollisia valokuvia tai kuvasuurennoksia Esineet ovat näyttelykuntoisia ja kelpoisia Näyttelyyn on valittu näyttelyn sisällön kannalta olennaisimmat/kertovimmat esineet Näyttelytilan säännöllisestä siivouksesta on huolehdittu Vähän ja pienet ok ok voidaan uusia
Thank you