Museum Matters: Unsettling History

Post author By RachelK
Post date 11/06/2020

As I write this on Wednesday afternoon, the votes are in, but as to who will take office in January, that’s an unsettled matter. Although we tend to think of historic events as being finished and resolved, this month’s programs pick up on the theme that so much of what we think we know about the past is still very much alive.

Consider this Sunday’s program with historian Eric Goldstein who traces the journey to “whiteness” of Jewish America and the cost in terms of Jewish identity. The following Sunday, I will lead a program examining the conflict within the Jewish community about slavery at the outset of the Civil War. Both these programs shed new light on historic events that may be less resolved than you imagine.

Of course, not every piece of unsettling history is serious. Indeed, in the same film that suggested the title for our current feature exhibit (Jews in Space), Mel Brooks deals with the horror of the Inquisition in a musical number. Dr. Arnold Blumberg joins us later this month to discuss Mel Brooks’ often-disconcerting looks at history, pop culture, and science fiction.

I would also remind you that like elections, history is not a spectator sport. The individual choices made by you and your neighbors can profoundly impact the outcomes of global events. But don’t take my word for it. Come enjoy Stoop Stories “Head in the Stars” edition and enjoy some well-told close encounters between Baltimoreans and the history of space exploration.

Sometimes a disruption can bring an unexpected benefit. We were scheduled to close the special exhibit on Sadie Crockin yesterday, but word reached us that several of you were disappointed that you would miss visiting our lobby exhibit on this suffrage pioneer. We heard your votes and have decided to keep the exhibit open through Nov. 15 – almost a full two weeks after Election Day!

Looking at the bottom of the calendar, I see one more event I find a little unsettling. It appears that “they” are holding a good-bye party for me. No one has shared the details of this event with me (not even my wife), but I suspect/hope that “they” have been planning something fun. You and I can be surprised by this unsettling piece of JMM history at the same time. Come join us!
~Marvin