Date of Award
2018
Degree Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Arts in History
Specialization
U. S. History
Department
History
First Advisor
Rod Mather
Abstract
While larger living history museums have been frequently studied by scholars, smaller museums, like Coggeshall Farm Museum in Bristol, Rhode Island receive far less attention. Utilizing historical and institutional records, historical monographs, and literature from the fields of museum studies and anthropology, this study examines authenticity in the museum setting using Coggeshall Farm Museum as a case study, suggesting that despite the museum’s search for historical accuracy, the institution remains inauthentic to recorded history. It argues that the history and interpretation of Coggeshall Farm Museum was intimately intertwined and influenced by the historical perceptions, biases, and dynamics of the museum’s leadership. The study identifies two important periods in the museum’s history, the first from 1967-1984 and the second from 1984-2003. These periods were instrumental in shaping the museum’s identity, yet they also suggest that the ability of the institution to thrive and to prosper depended upon a clearly defined mission, vision, and strong finances. The significant challenges faced by the institution clearly impacted the organization's ability to serve the public and to survive.
Recommended Citation
Just, Michelle M., "The Old Rhode Island Farm: History, Memory, and Interpretation at Bristol's Coggeshall Farm Museum" (2018). Open Access Master's Theses. Paper 1282.
https://digitalcommons.uri.edu/theses/1282
Terms of Use
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