American Swedish Historical Museum Object

Interactive Within the Golden Map Room

While visiting the American Swedish Historical Museum I found the interactive tools in the Golden Map Room to be very interesting.  This object is outdated and could be updated to improve visitor interaction within the space, and also advance the accessibility of the information and material to the visitors.  Many visitors could find this object important, especially those who learn visually.  It is a way to deliver information to people, but because it is outdated I think all age groups will have a hard time making a connection with this object.  Also, I think that younger generations would simply be confused by the purpose of this object.  

Displaying this object is supposed to have an educational impact on visitors.  It was acquired in the 1980s when the room was designed and the dated style makes it even more apparent that the room is aged.  However, the reason behind the original use of this interactive is still relevant.  Education is the primary focus in many museums, and even if this is a dated tool, it could be just as much a historical aspect of the museum.      

The Golden Map Room consists of a large mural painting of a map that covers the walls in the entire room.  On tables that wrap around the room are multiple interactive tools that look just like this.  When a visitor pushes the button of one of these tools, the text is lit and a person can read the facts that are displayed.  The most interesting part of this interactive, in my opinion, is the image that lights up as well.  Each image can be found on a small portion of the wall map.  It was explained that on school tours students are encouraged to find the image on each interactive on the map.  This allows for students to get involved and actually see where Sweden and its territories were located.  In the Golden Map Room the lighting is very low, and the colors are very dark.  Having the lights dim is part of a way to conserve the delicate painting that is on the walls.  However, in combination with the dark red carpeting it might be harder for visitors to see every aspect of the room.  On the same note, it might just make it imperative for visitors to look harder.    
On the interpretive tool, the descriptive text is written so that most visitors can read and understand the information being presented.  They are written in short sentences so that the visitor can digest the information and then move onto the next fact.  Overall, I think that without this interactive tool, understanding about Swedish history would fall short through only analyzing the map.  This tool allows for connections to be made with the material relative to the locations that the historical events that were actually taking place during that time.     

World history would enrich my understanding of this object.  I am unsure of the events that were taking place in other countries that may have impacted the Swedish people and influenced them to travel to the United States.  With reference to other historical events, it would allow me to place the information and compare it to other aspects of history.  It would also be beneficial to understand Swedish customs (which can be learned through other exhibits and events that ASHM holds).  You can find information about what the museum has to offer here.  It was brought up during the class visit, that the different terminology to describe the native people could possibly be considered politically incorrect.  Understanding all of these things can only benefit the type of experience that a person can have during a visit to the American Swedish Historical Museum.  

 People that might not be interested in this object would be those who do not care to learn about Swedish History.  Also, I think that many people could agree that this object needs replaced in the museum with technology that is more advanced and can allow for more interaction with the visitors.  Younger generations would most likely have an ignorant understanding of the reason for having such an item.  An opposing idea is that it does not seem like it does much else than present information, similar to the way a panel or label does.  One might ask the question, why doesn't the museum just hang panels in the room or just display labels?  I believe that there is a good concept behind this idea because it engages visitors with the map, it just needs to be brought into the 21st century.    

One thing that would engage visitors further with this object would be to enhance its capabilities.  I would suggest that perhaps the museum should replace the outdated interpretive tool with something newer like iPads or audio and video stations, but that could become extremely expensive.  I would also say that the museum should display objects that are shown in the images right by the interactive tools.  This could be really difficult if the museum does not already have the objects.  Instead, it might be easier just to have a visitor response station set up in the room in order for visitors to reiterate what was learned in the space.  Or, the museum could develop an App for visitors to open on their cell phones.  All of these examples could add another dimension that The Golden Map Room does not currently have.