The Origins of Museums -- Wunderkammer (Cabinets of Wonder) with Mary Woodward

Ever wonder how museums began? In the 16th and 17th centuries, wealthy European collectors began to gather their treasures into special rooms, or even cabinets, to display them. There was a wide range of marvelous objects gathered, depending on the collector’s taste: art, mechanical devices, wonders of the natural world…the rarer an item, the better! Sometimes these “wonder chambers” were used to teach the public; many were simply used to impress. Let’s have a look at how these special spaces evolved in the past and have a look at the way modern museums are recreating them. Boston’s Museum of Fine Arts, Houston’s Museum of Fine Arts and the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City all have dedicated exhibit space to these wondrous assortments of riches. Led by art historian Mary Woodward, who serves as a guide at several Historic New England properties. She previously served as Public Programs Coordinator and Educator at the Concord Museum. Woodward has a B.A. in Art History from Furman University and a M.A. in Art History from Emory University. She has 40+ years of experience in museums of all shapes and sizes, from the comprehensive collection at the Cleveland Museum of Art to the one-room log cabin birthplace of President James K. Polk.