Skip to content

Museums are important! Perspectives from kids at work.

Category: Influence of Museums
Two young white girls stand in front of the American Alliance of Museums logo and sign

The third Thursday of April is National Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day. This annual program is more than simply “shadowing” a grownup; it helps kids see that what their parent or mentor does during the day is important to their company and the world. Showing kids the value of what their education can bring and helping them discover the possibilities of having a good work/life balance gives them the chance to share how they envision the future for themselves.

We welcomed two young women to our offices at the Alliance this year, so we thought it would be a great opportunity for them to tell us a little bit about why they think museums are such great places to visit! (Names have been changed to protect the innocent)

What’s your favorite museum? 

Genesis: I like the Natural History Museum (Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History).

Rose: Me too, Natural History Museum.

Why do you like that museum? 

Genesis: I like the natural history museum because it has all sorts of different things: the Hope Diamond, dinosaurs, butterflies, an elephant!

Rose: I like the natural history museum because there are dinosaurs.

What other kinds of museums have you been to? Do you like zoos? What about aquariums? 

Genesis: I’ve been to the African American Museum (National Museum of African American History and Culture), the Owls Head Transportation Museum, Mount Vernon, Air & Space (National Air & Space Museum), Jamestown, and others.

Rose: I’ve been to those museums and the American History Museum (National Museum of American History) and the Zoo, too (National Zoo).

What do you think is important about museums? 

Genesis: History and learning.

Rose: I don’t really know!

Do we really need museums? 

(Said with much exuberance and in sync)

Genesis: Yes!

Rose: Yes!

Why? 

Genesis: Because they teach us things we may not know and preserve history.

Rose: They remind us of the dinosaurs from the beginning of the world!

Favorite thing in a museum?

Genesis: The elephant at the Natural History Museum.

Rose: The dinosaurs.

Skip over related stories to continue reading article

AAM Member-Only Content

AAM Members get exclusive access to premium digital content including:

  • Featured articles from Museum magazine
  • Access to more than 1,500 resource listings from the Resource Center
  • Tools, reports, and templates for equipping your work in museums
Log In

We're Sorry

Your current membership level does not allow you to access this content.

Upgrade Your Membership

Comments

1 Comment

  1. Those two young ladies are the future of museums. They seem to be “spot on” with their appreciation of the museums they have visited and loved.

Leave a Reply to Marcia Gibson Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Subscribe to Field Notes!

Packed with stories and insights for museum people, Field Notes is delivered to your inbox every Monday. Once you've completed the form below, confirm your subscription in the email sent to you.

If you are a current AAM member, please sign-up using the email address associated with your account.

Are you a museum professional?

Are you a current AAM member?

Success! Now check your email to confirm your subscription, and please add communications@aam-us.org to your safe sender list.