Do Museums Still Need Objects?

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The leaders of four of Columbus’s preeminent museums join historian Steven Conn, the author Do Museums Still Need Objects?, for this discussion about our current “museum age.” Fred Andrle, former host of WOSU’s Open Line, moderates the discussion.

More people are visiting museums than ever before, but with increased attendance has come increased scrutiny. What and who do museums represent, and how? In this new book, Conn, a professor of history and the director of the public history program at Ohio State, examines the dynamic growth of American museums in the 20th century and the roles they play in social, political, and intellectual life today. These topics also offer the framework for what is sure to be an engaging and wide-ranging discussion. Joining Conn and Andrle are David E. Chesebrough of COSI Columbus, Burt Logan of the Ohio Historical Society, Nannette V. Maciejunes of the Columbus Museum of Art, and Sherri Geldin, the Wexner Center’s own distinguished director.

Pick up a copy of Do Museums Still Need Objects? at the Wexner Center Store and have Steven Conn sign it after the discussion.

Cosponsored by the Institute for Collaborative Research and Public Humanities.

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Click “more info” for more about the panelists.
Fred Andrle, former host of Open Line, WOSU

David E. Chesebrough, President and CEO, COSI (Center of Science and Industry), Columbus

Steven Conn, Professor and Director of the Public History Program, Department of History, The Ohio State University

Sherri Geldin, Director, Wexner Center for the Arts

Burt Logan,, Executive Director and CEO, Ohio Historical Society

Nannette V. Maciejunes,, Executive Director, Columbus Museum of Art