Treasures at the Museum

(1) "It's never too soon to introduce kids to archives, as Deborra Richardson does in her engaging book Treasures at the Museum. Whether collections of photos, letters, diaries, maps, or other historic documents, Richardson demonstrates that when kids get to know the stuff of archives, they get to know history. "
-Society of American Archivists

(2) Treasures at the Museum by Deborra Richardson is an engaging story of how a brother and his sister learn about the importance of museums and their collections from their aunt. The story is set in Washington, D.C. Aunt Imani visits her nephew Robbie and niece Brittany and takes them on a trip to the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History to visit Maxi (Aunt Imani's friend) who works in the archives at the museum. When Robbie hears that they will be going to the archives, Robbie begins to pout and Brittany questions, "what are archives?"

From that point on, the children begin their exploration and discovery about museums and the many treasures that are found in the archives. When Aunt Imani makes a connection for the children with the family photos, their old school and craft projects, and similar items found in archives, the children become excited about their visit to the museum. Robbie becomes even more interested and reveals his secret collection of his first and second grade writing assignments, art projects, postcards, and birthday cards from friends that he has hidden in a big tree house in the backyard. The children's Mom also reveals her secret collection of the children's class pictures, their report cards, some family photos, and baby pictures she keeps as keepsakes to help tell stories of the family's past. The children are now eager and ready to leave with Aunt Imani to visit the museum's archives.

The trip to the archives leads the children to see and discover many important sites in Washington, D.C. The children pass by the National Shrine of the Basilica [the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception], the Postal Museum, the U.S. Capitol, the Sculpture Garden to see the huge eraser, the National Archives, and the National Museum of Natural History. The children walk down Madison Drive and see the many Smithsonian museums on the National Mall.

Finally Aunt Imani, Brittany, and Robbie arrive at their destination, the Smithsonian National Museum of American History, and view the colossal screen that shows many objects they might see on display. They view the famous Woolworth Lunch Counter from the Civil Rights era and learn how African Americans protested and boycotted the restaurant for the right to eat where they wanted. The children see colorful animated screens of Diana Ross, disco dancing, and tools working together without the benefit of human hands. While at the museum, the children learn about technology by designing their special bedrooms on a computer. As the children and Aunt Imani become enthralled by the many objects they find at the museum, they become lost.

Finally, as they make their way down dark corridors, they stumble upon Maxi in her office at the archives. Robbie had brought his collection from home to ask Maxi to help him to tell the story about his objects.

The children learn from Maxi that the archive collections tell stories about the museum exhibitions. Robbie and Brittany discover that the paper materials the archives collect (i.e., diaries, appointment books, shopping receipts, concert programs, and similar materials) come with the objects that they have seen on display at the museum. With the help of Maxi, the children use a finding aid to locate the Famous Amos collection on the archives shelf. Maxi shows Robbie and Brittany how to preserve their memorabilia by placing their keepsakes in Mylar sleeves, acid-free boxes, and folders. The children are very excited to now know how to take care of their stuff.

As Maxi explains to the children, the best way to understand how archival materials tell stories is to "look at our displays outside the front door." The children are amazed at the many stories told by the pictures, press releases, magazine ads, newspapers, and memorabilia found at the museum.

To further the understanding of archives, Treasures at the Museum has a section called "Let's Talk About It" to enable the young reader to make learning connections through a series of questions. "A Brief (and Non-Boring) History of the Smithsonian and Its Archives" provides a summary of the complex history of the Smithsonian that children can understand and relate to. The "Activities" section provides many fun and educational hands-on projects that will help children to create their own archivist tool kit and discover the importance of preserving one's history for future generations. A glossary, "What Do These Words Mean," can be used as a teaching tool to enhance children's understanding of the treasures found in museums.

Treasures at the Museum is an excellent chapter book to introduce young readers to an area of museums they hardly ever get a chance to see-the Archives.

-Linda A. Maxwell, Museum Educator