Plans are underway to convert the small – but not too small – center room on the east side of the second floor of the museum building for use as a gallery for Mini Exhibits.
Change is a very good thing – static exhibits are not; they are a death knoll for any museum, and must be avoided. We aim to change that.
Of course, human nature is such that many people do not like change – instinctively, they fight it – but change is essential, prudent, and consequently a very good thing.
If the FHRS is to have a sustainable future and remain an integral part of the community, it has to encourage change, embrace it – steadfastly.
But one must tread lightly … caution is paramount.
Why?
Because the FRHS is both an historic house museum and a local history museum; as such, it is imperative to strike a balance between period room settings and exhibits pertaining to the many aspects of the history of Fall River and its multicultural people. The possibilities for topics are endless.
However, this is not an easy proposition.
One must be sympathetic to the remarkably well-preserved interior of the building and interpret it accordingly, at the same time presenting various exhibits and artifacts in gallery-like settings.
Hence striking the proper balance.
The FRHS collections contain a plethora of material in a wide variety of categories, making a display area for a “Mini-Exhibit” Gallery, a much-needed addition – it offers the opportunity to present material not normally seen by the public in easily manageable small scale exhibits that can be changed frequently.
The second floor room in question – it was a dressing room when the building was a private residence – currently houses an exhibit pertaining to 19th century mourning practices and, if truth be told, it is getting rather stale.
Fortunately, the transformation will be a fairly straightforward process and does not require extensive construction, but several steps need be accomplished to bring the project to fruition.
First up: Creating additional wall space – there is not much in the room at the moment.
An easy fix.
A false wall panel will be constructed and installed on the south wall, obscuring the door that currently dominates it – this will furnish ample space for hanging and/or exhibition purposes. This method ensures that the historical integrity of the room remains intact, at the same time creating the necessary wall space; in the event that the room is reinterpreted at some future date, the panel can easily be removed, with no damage to the existing wall or walnut door and casing.
A portion of the room as it currently appears; the flat screen will be mounted to this wall.
Next up: The two built-in display cabinets on the west side of the room – once a pair of closets – will be refitted with appropriate lighting and adjustable shelving; the sizable cabinets can be adapted to a variety of uses.
A door will be rehung, regulating traffic flow; the walls, trim, and mop boards will be repainted in an appropriate shade in keeping with the original polychrome stenciled wall frieze and ceiling decoration, in situ since 1870, yet working well as a backdrop for exhibit purposes; and the carpeting will be replaced.
A portion of the room as it currently appears; a false wall panel will obscure this door, furnishing space for exhibit purposes.
Lighting in this room has always been an issue. This will be addressed with the installation of lighting suited to exhibition purposes, and the application of UV- screening window film to the single window, located high on the east wall.
Now, the best part – at least as far as I see it.
A flat screen will be mounted to the east wall, allowing for the presentation of brief, narrative and/or interactive video presentations pertaining to the various exhibits on display.
For example: An exhibit about the disastrous 1928 Fire – it ravaged the heart of the city on a cold, February evening – could be accompanied by original film footage of the conflagration and its aftermath. The FRHS has the film, and this would be an ideal method of showcasing it.
Below is a 2 minute, 38 second edit from the longer film. Enjoy!
Big plans.
Stay tuned!
