SlideShare a Scribd company logo
1 of 47
Download to read offline
Lessons from
the Great Depression

       Marjorie Schwarzer
    John F. Kennedy University
          March 4, 2010
De Young Museum, 2006
Liberace Museum, Las Vegas
Activity at Exploratorium, based on experiential
              ideas of John Dewey
Lessons from the Depression
Lessons from the Depression
Palace of Legion of Honor, San Francisco (1926)
Taxidermy display, 1928
Snow Museum of Natural History, Oakland
Outdoor nature lessons based
on experiential ideas of John Dewey
1920s immigrants from
Greece, Italy, Eastern Europe
Between 1923 and 1930,
most American families bought their first radio.
In 1929, the stockmarket crashed



150

100

50

 0
      1927 1928 1929 1930 1931 1932 1933
In a time of financial
  famine, the public is
  forced to a
  reappraisal of all its
  possessions,
  institutions and
  customs.

—P. Youtz, Brooklyn
 Museum, 1933
Lessons from the Depression
Lessons from the Depression
Century of Progress Exposition
        Chicago, 1933



From Duluth Children’s Museum’s
     Facebook site (2009)
Mimeographs from Mabel Wing’s oral history,
    Duluth Children’s Museum archives
Nelson Atkins Museum opened in 1930
            in Kansas City
Interior, Oakland Public Museum
October 29, 1929
Nelson Atkins Museum opened in 1930
            in Kansas City
Lessons from the Depression
Andrew Mellon purchased the Alba Madonna for
     $1.2 million from Russia in 1931
National Gallery of Art, founded during the
      Depression by Andrew Mellon
Museum of Science and Industry
  Coal Mine exhibition, 1933:
an ode to technological progress
California Academy of Sciences
opened its first Africa Hall in 1934
1920s immigrants from
Greece, Italy, Eastern Europe
The first visitor studies were funded by the
  Carnegie during the Great Depression
Visitor studies led to action


Many museums stayed open
  until 10pm, seven days a
  week.



They rearranged exhibits to
  make them more comfortable
  to view.
Lessons from the Depression
MoMA director Alfred Barr touring college
 students through a traveling exhibition
In 1930, AFA began to tour
the nation’s first popular art shows
Museums offered classes in commercial design for
        the unemployed in the 1930s
Children’s games were popular in 1930s museums
 “The [1930s] crisis kindled America’s
 social imagination … asserting life-saving
 grace, unity and style against the
 encroaching darkness.”

  – Morris Dickstein, Dancing in the Dark:
    A Cultural History of the Great
    Depression, 2009.
Lessons from the Depression
Lessons from the Depression
Lessons from the Depression
Lessons from the Depression
Lessons from the Depression
Lessons from the Depression
Innovation
Public Service
Sustainability
Lessons from the Depression

More Related Content

What's hot

Annotated Bibliography on Prof. Edward J. Sullivan's English Works
Annotated Bibliography on Prof. Edward J. Sullivan's English WorksAnnotated Bibliography on Prof. Edward J. Sullivan's English Works
Annotated Bibliography on Prof. Edward J. Sullivan's English WorksKai Alexis Smith
 
V Encuentros de Centros de Documentación de Arte Contemporáneo ARTIUM - Milan...
V Encuentros de Centros de Documentación de Arte Contemporáneo ARTIUM - Milan...V Encuentros de Centros de Documentación de Arte Contemporáneo ARTIUM - Milan...
V Encuentros de Centros de Documentación de Arte Contemporáneo ARTIUM - Milan...Artium Vitoria
 
Sweet home alabama student sample
Sweet home alabama student sampleSweet home alabama student sample
Sweet home alabama student samplehhaynie
 
KVB127 08 Belief Systems 2020
KVB127 08 Belief Systems 2020KVB127 08 Belief Systems 2020
KVB127 08 Belief Systems 2020charlesrobb
 
Museums in the Digital Age - Intro Remarks
Museums in the Digital Age - Intro RemarksMuseums in the Digital Age - Intro Remarks
Museums in the Digital Age - Intro RemarksDana Allen-Greil
 
KVB127 06 Environment
KVB127 06 EnvironmentKVB127 06 Environment
KVB127 06 Environmentcharlesrobb
 
KVB127 02 Identity 2021
KVB127 02 Identity 2021KVB127 02 Identity 2021
KVB127 02 Identity 2021charlesrobb
 
Philippines art-in-spanish-time (1)
Philippines art-in-spanish-time (1)Philippines art-in-spanish-time (1)
Philippines art-in-spanish-time (1)Ninfa Bastillada
 
KVB127 03 Time and Memory
KVB127 03 Time and Memory KVB127 03 Time and Memory
KVB127 03 Time and Memory charlesrobb
 
Development of Visual Arts in the Philippines
Development of Visual Arts in the PhilippinesDevelopment of Visual Arts in the Philippines
Development of Visual Arts in the PhilippinesJason Casupanan
 

What's hot (19)

Annotated Bibliography on Prof. Edward J. Sullivan's English Works
Annotated Bibliography on Prof. Edward J. Sullivan's English WorksAnnotated Bibliography on Prof. Edward J. Sullivan's English Works
Annotated Bibliography on Prof. Edward J. Sullivan's English Works
 
V Encuentros de Centros de Documentación de Arte Contemporáneo ARTIUM - Milan...
V Encuentros de Centros de Documentación de Arte Contemporáneo ARTIUM - Milan...V Encuentros de Centros de Documentación de Arte Contemporáneo ARTIUM - Milan...
V Encuentros de Centros de Documentación de Arte Contemporáneo ARTIUM - Milan...
 
123
123123
123
 
Sweet home alabama student sample
Sweet home alabama student sampleSweet home alabama student sample
Sweet home alabama student sample
 
KVB127 08 Belief Systems 2020
KVB127 08 Belief Systems 2020KVB127 08 Belief Systems 2020
KVB127 08 Belief Systems 2020
 
Explore DC
Explore DCExplore DC
Explore DC
 
MAYQUEL PEREZ
MAYQUEL PEREZMAYQUEL PEREZ
MAYQUEL PEREZ
 
Museums in the Digital Age - Intro Remarks
Museums in the Digital Age - Intro RemarksMuseums in the Digital Age - Intro Remarks
Museums in the Digital Age - Intro Remarks
 
CURRICULUM VITAE
CURRICULUM VITAECURRICULUM VITAE
CURRICULUM VITAE
 
KVB127 06 Environment
KVB127 06 EnvironmentKVB127 06 Environment
KVB127 06 Environment
 
Photography: David hockney
Photography: David hockneyPhotography: David hockney
Photography: David hockney
 
KVB127 02 Identity 2021
KVB127 02 Identity 2021KVB127 02 Identity 2021
KVB127 02 Identity 2021
 
Philippines art-in-spanish-time (1)
Philippines art-in-spanish-time (1)Philippines art-in-spanish-time (1)
Philippines art-in-spanish-time (1)
 
Historical background
Historical backgroundHistorical background
Historical background
 
KVB127 03 Time and Memory
KVB127 03 Time and Memory KVB127 03 Time and Memory
KVB127 03 Time and Memory
 
Aztecssuns1
Aztecssuns1Aztecssuns1
Aztecssuns1
 
Enc072611 a29
Enc072611 a29Enc072611 a29
Enc072611 a29
 
Muzium Negara
Muzium NegaraMuzium Negara
Muzium Negara
 
Development of Visual Arts in the Philippines
Development of Visual Arts in the PhilippinesDevelopment of Visual Arts in the Philippines
Development of Visual Arts in the Philippines
 

Viewers also liked

Opium wars presentation[1]
Opium wars presentation[1]Opium wars presentation[1]
Opium wars presentation[1]globalperola
 
The Great Depression
The Great DepressionThe Great Depression
The Great DepressionDurgesh singh
 
Great depression and hitler
Great depression and hitlerGreat depression and hitler
Great depression and hitlercole021081
 
Chinese history opium war 1
Chinese history opium war 1Chinese history opium war 1
Chinese history opium war 1Robert Musson
 
His 2002 Ch 20
His 2002 Ch 20His 2002 Ch 20
His 2002 Ch 20mr1861
 
Decolonization inafrica
Decolonization inafricaDecolonization inafrica
Decolonization inafricamujiharjono
 
European Invasion Of Asia
European Invasion Of AsiaEuropean Invasion Of Asia
European Invasion Of Asiagrieffel
 
Rejection of liberalism in germany and russia
Rejection of liberalism in germany and russiaRejection of liberalism in germany and russia
Rejection of liberalism in germany and russiaLaceyP
 
Decolonization in the post wwi era (part 2 of chapter 21)
Decolonization in the post wwi era (part 2 of chapter 21)Decolonization in the post wwi era (part 2 of chapter 21)
Decolonization in the post wwi era (part 2 of chapter 21)Colleen Skadl
 
Decolonization africa, asia, the middle east
Decolonization   africa, asia, the middle eastDecolonization   africa, asia, the middle east
Decolonization africa, asia, the middle eastAshley Birmingham
 
Lecture 11 - Nationalist Movements in Asia
Lecture 11 - Nationalist Movements in AsiaLecture 11 - Nationalist Movements in Asia
Lecture 11 - Nationalist Movements in AsiaLACCD
 
Treaty of versailles, russian revolution, & depression
Treaty of versailles, russian revolution, & depressionTreaty of versailles, russian revolution, & depression
Treaty of versailles, russian revolution, & depressionesample458
 
Nazi Party and the Depression
Nazi Party and the DepressionNazi Party and the Depression
Nazi Party and the Depressionmrjportman
 
Opium Wars
Opium Wars Opium Wars
Opium Wars amytouro
 

Viewers also liked (20)

Great depression
Great depressionGreat depression
Great depression
 
C&C group presentation
C&C group presentationC&C group presentation
C&C group presentation
 
Opium wars presentation[1]
Opium wars presentation[1]Opium wars presentation[1]
Opium wars presentation[1]
 
The Great Depression
The Great DepressionThe Great Depression
The Great Depression
 
Great depression and hitler
Great depression and hitlerGreat depression and hitler
Great depression and hitler
 
Chinese history opium war 1
Chinese history opium war 1Chinese history opium war 1
Chinese history opium war 1
 
His 2002 Ch 20
His 2002 Ch 20His 2002 Ch 20
His 2002 Ch 20
 
Opium wars
Opium warsOpium wars
Opium wars
 
Decolonization inafrica
Decolonization inafricaDecolonization inafrica
Decolonization inafrica
 
European Invasion Of Asia
European Invasion Of AsiaEuropean Invasion Of Asia
European Invasion Of Asia
 
Rejection of liberalism in germany and russia
Rejection of liberalism in germany and russiaRejection of liberalism in germany and russia
Rejection of liberalism in germany and russia
 
Qing, ottoman, and meiji
Qing, ottoman, and meijiQing, ottoman, and meiji
Qing, ottoman, and meiji
 
East imperialism
East imperialismEast imperialism
East imperialism
 
Decolonization in the post wwi era (part 2 of chapter 21)
Decolonization in the post wwi era (part 2 of chapter 21)Decolonization in the post wwi era (part 2 of chapter 21)
Decolonization in the post wwi era (part 2 of chapter 21)
 
Rise of dictators099
Rise of dictators099Rise of dictators099
Rise of dictators099
 
Decolonization africa, asia, the middle east
Decolonization   africa, asia, the middle eastDecolonization   africa, asia, the middle east
Decolonization africa, asia, the middle east
 
Lecture 11 - Nationalist Movements in Asia
Lecture 11 - Nationalist Movements in AsiaLecture 11 - Nationalist Movements in Asia
Lecture 11 - Nationalist Movements in Asia
 
Treaty of versailles, russian revolution, & depression
Treaty of versailles, russian revolution, & depressionTreaty of versailles, russian revolution, & depression
Treaty of versailles, russian revolution, & depression
 
Nazi Party and the Depression
Nazi Party and the DepressionNazi Party and the Depression
Nazi Party and the Depression
 
Opium Wars
Opium Wars Opium Wars
Opium Wars
 

Similar to Lessons from the Depression

mapping a city
mapping a citymapping a city
mapping a cityFrancesca
 
The Adventures of Flat Stanley
The Adventures of Flat StanleyThe Adventures of Flat Stanley
The Adventures of Flat StanleyLleb Nerual
 
Buffalo: The Provincial as Providential (Pt. 2)
Buffalo: The Provincial as Providential (Pt. 2)Buffalo: The Provincial as Providential (Pt. 2)
Buffalo: The Provincial as Providential (Pt. 2)Liz Flyntz
 
Stolen Art Of The Holocaust
Stolen Art Of The HolocaustStolen Art Of The Holocaust
Stolen Art Of The HolocaustJennifer Perry
 
Chapter 18 nouveau realisme and fluxus
Chapter 18   nouveau realisme and fluxusChapter 18   nouveau realisme and fluxus
Chapter 18 nouveau realisme and fluxusPetrutaLipan
 
The History of Museums
The History of MuseumsThe History of Museums
The History of MuseumsMikus Kins
 
Art1100 LVA 21_4 American Modernism online
Art1100 LVA 21_4 American Modernism onlineArt1100 LVA 21_4 American Modernism online
Art1100 LVA 21_4 American Modernism onlineDan Gunn
 
Art museum resources and teacher use
Art museum resources and teacher useArt museum resources and teacher use
Art museum resources and teacher useizzajalil
 
Canadian museum of history, Canada.
Canadian museum of history, Canada.Canadian museum of history, Canada.
Canadian museum of history, Canada.Mayur Waghulde
 
National WWII Museum Reflective Essay
National WWII Museum Reflective EssayNational WWII Museum Reflective Essay
National WWII Museum Reflective EssayTracy Williams
 
Smithsonian project
Smithsonian projectSmithsonian project
Smithsonian projectkylieikeda
 
The museum of natural history - mcglame/mcbrien
The museum of natural history - mcglame/mcbrienThe museum of natural history - mcglame/mcbrien
The museum of natural history - mcglame/mcbriensguditus
 

Similar to Lessons from the Depression (20)

Publicación1 jornal
Publicación1 jornalPublicación1 jornal
Publicación1 jornal
 
mapping a city
mapping a citymapping a city
mapping a city
 
The Adventures of Flat Stanley
The Adventures of Flat StanleyThe Adventures of Flat Stanley
The Adventures of Flat Stanley
 
Buffalo: The Provincial as Providential (Pt. 2)
Buffalo: The Provincial as Providential (Pt. 2)Buffalo: The Provincial as Providential (Pt. 2)
Buffalo: The Provincial as Providential (Pt. 2)
 
G
GG
G
 
Museum
MuseumMuseum
Museum
 
Stolen Art Of The Holocaust
Stolen Art Of The HolocaustStolen Art Of The Holocaust
Stolen Art Of The Holocaust
 
The history of museums
The history of museumsThe history of museums
The history of museums
 
Chapter 18 nouveau realisme and fluxus
Chapter 18   nouveau realisme and fluxusChapter 18   nouveau realisme and fluxus
Chapter 18 nouveau realisme and fluxus
 
James Shulman - Community update
James Shulman - Community updateJames Shulman - Community update
James Shulman - Community update
 
The History of Museums
The History of MuseumsThe History of Museums
The History of Museums
 
Patricia Art Museum
Patricia Art MuseumPatricia Art Museum
Patricia Art Museum
 
Art1100 LVA 21_4 American Modernism online
Art1100 LVA 21_4 American Modernism onlineArt1100 LVA 21_4 American Modernism online
Art1100 LVA 21_4 American Modernism online
 
The Missing Future: MOMA and Modern Women
The Missing Future: MOMA and Modern WomenThe Missing Future: MOMA and Modern Women
The Missing Future: MOMA and Modern Women
 
Art museum resources and teacher use
Art museum resources and teacher useArt museum resources and teacher use
Art museum resources and teacher use
 
Art and Society
Art and SocietyArt and Society
Art and Society
 
Canadian museum of history, Canada.
Canadian museum of history, Canada.Canadian museum of history, Canada.
Canadian museum of history, Canada.
 
National WWII Museum Reflective Essay
National WWII Museum Reflective EssayNational WWII Museum Reflective Essay
National WWII Museum Reflective Essay
 
Smithsonian project
Smithsonian projectSmithsonian project
Smithsonian project
 
The museum of natural history - mcglame/mcbrien
The museum of natural history - mcglame/mcbrienThe museum of natural history - mcglame/mcbrien
The museum of natural history - mcglame/mcbrien
 

Lessons from the Depression