International Museum of Muslim Cultures

This Heritage museum is located in Jackson, Mississippi and their mission is to educate and preserve Islamic culture. The museum wants to recognize and celebrate its Muslim citizens and to promote understanding between different types of religions. The museum has events educating visitors on the Islamic religious customs and traditions. They want to send out a message of religious and racial equality nationally and internationally. Right now there is an exhibit on Islamic Moorish Spain which discusses their contribution to math, science and philosophy to name a few disciplines. Here is another type of Heritage museum as this institution seeks to preserve the legacy of the Islamic culture.
http://www.thereligionislam.com/

International Tennis Hall of Fame Museum

This sports Heritage museum preserves the history of tennis and the legacy it has acquired through time. Located in Rhode Island, this museum has 18 galleries and interactive displays. Showing of famous tennis icons, game videos and all kinds of tennis athletic gear. An exhibit that just opened in 2008 displays the relationship between families and tennis. The exhibit explains that the sport had the ability to meld family relationships through the playing of tennis. On an international level families all over the world have enjoyed this sport together. The museum makes it a point to show how the sport is cross-cultural and helps to bring people together. One more type of Heritage museum that preserves another type of legacy. What do you think? Any thoughts on sports Heritage?
http://www.usopen.org/en_US/index.html

The Historical Museum of Crete

This museum offers the history and heritage of the largest of the Greek islands. A gallery of art and exhibits focus on the religion in Crete. These exhibits consider the Greek Orthodox traditions as compared with Ottoman and Venetian ways of worshiping. Agriculture and economy is discussed and art such as jewelry and sculpture are shown. Architecture is also focused on and the daily life of Cretan people can be learned.  This is another great Heritage museum which preserves Cretan heritage for visitors.  I came away with questions from the website that this historical museum was actually a heritage museum.  The exhibits preserve the traditions and customs of Cretan culture. Can a history museum also be a heritage museum? Why are some museums considered only heritage? Do you think a history museum can also be a heritage museum? 

http://www.greeka.com/crete/heraklion/heraklion-town.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Crete

Akwesasne Cultural Center, Library and Museum

Located in Hogansburg, New York this heritage museum offers exhibits on Kanienkehaka (Mohawk) culture and has space inside a library.  Exhibits on the history of the area, an interactive youth exhibit and collections of historical artifacts can be found there.  Throughout the year there are lectures, art activities for children and exhibit receptions. The museum highlights an artist from the community each month and posts their work on the website below. 

The heritage museum also has an affiliate in Ontario, Canada called The Ronathahonni Cultural Center where they have similar exhibits and activities throughout the year.  Since the Kaniekehaka territory straddles Ontario, Quebec and New York there are two Heritage museums. Please check out both the museums and let me know what you think. Are there ways to get new audiences to check out the museums? 

http://www.akwesasneculturalcenter.org/

http://www.ronathahonni.com

Diving Heritage

For my first post I wanted to find something interesting to start my blog off. In the search for a great Heritage Museum to focus on I found Diving Heritage.   This website boasts itself as the world's largest virtual diving helmet museum.  There are interesting videos to look at, all kinds of diving artifacts and the history of diving heritage.   The founders of the site, Burt and Karen Dodde, wanted to preserve the history for others to share. Their mission is "Diving Heritage intends to bring a tribute to all involved in the development of professional diving from the day it started and into the future."  Diving Heritage intends to share the knowledge of professional diving with everybody on earth, both divers and non-divers for now and future generations." Finding this site really expanded my idea of what Heritage museums can be all about.  Come back to find out what other great Heritage museums I find and definitely check out the link to the virtual diving helmet museum.  Let me know what you think of the idea of "heritage" and what you thought of the virtual museum! Thanks!