Introduction

Museum of Slavonia, Toy Collection, Artistic Crafts Department, car toy Bing
Museum of Slavonia, Toy Collection, Artistic Crafts Department, car toy Bing
Museum of Slavonia

Museums hold museum objects, often classified by museum departments and museum collections. The objects are taken care of by museum staff, mostly curators and restorers. But how do museums come about? For example, in the east of Croatia, in the city of Osijek, there is the Museum of Slavonia, which has existed since 1877. The Museum of Slavonia was founded on February 17, 1877 as the Museum of the Free and Royal City of Osijek, on the basis of a donation from the numismatic collection of the merchant from Osijek, Franjo Sedlaković. Mr. Franjo was an avid collector and lover of antiques of money, numismatic literature, medals, archaeological objects, birds and butterflies, porcelain and weapons. How to start collecting items/artifacts and creating a private collection? Each of us has an interest in a particular type of value. Some of us are interested in collecting postcards or art paintings and others are in expensive cars. We can collect items according to categories such as arts and crafts. Within the category of arts and crafts can be various collections such as furniture collection, ceramics collection, collection of clothing or fashion accessories, collection of packaging and advertising or decorative items, collection of toys, watches, pictures and frames, musical instruments, jewelry, while in technical materials may include typewriters and calculators, photographic apparatus, telephones, radio and television receivers, turntables, sewing machines, small and large household appliances, etc. Artifacts need to be taken care of to remain preserved and, of course, sometimes presented to our family, friends or visitors to the museum for many years.

Task

Sony Play Station SCPH-1002, Musuem of Slavonia, Osijek, Croatia
Sony Play Station SCPH-1002, Musuem of Slavonia, Osijek, Croatia
Museum of Slavonia

Every item we want to document has documentary value. The documentary value of the item is created as long as the item is in use. Museum experts agreed that there are four basic characteristics of the object, which are material (raw material, shape, construction and technology), history (description of purpose and use), environment (space in which the object was) and importance of the object (emotional and psychological) often significant to private collectors). In museums, the basis of the object's museality is precisely its documentary value. In private collections, as in museums, the subject becomes a witness to family and social events, and this is its fundamental documentary value as an item that is part of the family collection.

Process

Start inventing a collection of personal, valuable items. Inventory can be done by writing in an inventory notebook or digitally entering data into an Excel spreadsheet. See the documents for more detailed instructions.

 

Conclusion

Part of preserving family history is certainly documenting information on valuable items to which we are attached. Items from family collections tell a story that family members will appreciate. Imagine a photo album. Some of the photos feature our ancestors we've never met and the information on the back of the photo can tell a lot about who is in the black and white photo. Now imagine an edited collection of photographs of the immediate and wider family that can be digitized and turned into a family tree for all future generations to explore!

Evaluation

Learning Outcomes

  • The participants will be able to identify categories and collections of artifacts.
  • The participants will be able to inventor articafts.
  • The participants will be able to take care of the preservation of the artifacts, promote and share information.
  • The participants will be able to collaborate with other collectors and museums.

Knowledge Acquired

  • After having followed the training material and the example exercises, the participants should be able to use a Museum with ease and have fun doing it.

Skills Acquired

  • Participants/trainees will develop skills to navigate how to use different museums, national, local, specialized.
  • Participants/trainees will gain practical methods of how to use museums.

Competences Acquired

  • The participants will be able to identify areas of interest and seek to explore experts in working with objects and specific subject areas.

Resources

Other

  • Start inventorying today. To get started you need: pen and notebook or Excel spreadsheet, meter, photo albums or occasional storage boxes.