Re: disposition of largest private DEC collection in USA

From: Bill Gunshannon (bill_at_cs.uofs.edu)
Date: 01/23/05 

Date: 23 Jan 2005 16:01:22 GMT

In article <41F3196B.4080708@swbell.net>,
        patrick jankowiak <eccm@swbell.net> writes:
> Bill Gunshannon wrote:
>
>> In article <41f284c5$0$812$9b4e6d93@newsread2.arcor-online.net>,
>> Keith Cayemberg <keith.cayemberg@arcor.de> writes:
>>
>>>Bill Gunshannon wrote:
>>>
>>>
>>>>In article <41f237b0$0$821$9b4e6d93@newsread2.arcor-online.net>,
>>>> Keith Cayemberg <keith.cayemberg@arcor.de> writes:
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>>MoS | Museum of Science, Boston
>>>>>http://www.tcm.org/
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>Isn't this the place that trashed all their real computer stuff
>>>>including stuff that had been donated by people like Dennis
>>>>Ritchie? I sure didn't see anything vintage computer related
>>>>on thier website.
>>>>
>>>>bill
>>>>
>>>
>>>Could be. That is maybe why they are no longer call themselves "The
>>>Computer Museum" (TCM). Then it is good that such proposals are
>>>discussed in a forum.
>>>
>>>Thanks Bill.
>>>
>>
>>
>> I have wanted to start a computer museum here at the University
>> for a long time. I figured if I could get commitments from a
>> few corporations for operating funds I could probably convince
>> the University to give me the necessary space. But I really
>> don't know how to go about finding corporate sponsers. :-(
>> My idea is to have a real hands on facility where people can
>> come in and actually play with the equipment. I would also
>> make as much of it as I could available on the INTERNET with
>> guest accounts. But, I'm probably just dreaming again.
>>
>> bill
>>
>
> I have some experience with such entities. Unless permanent space
> is allocated, items are often eventually disposed of
> unceremoniously and in an ugly manner. I witnessed this at the
> "texas broadcast museum". The volunteers were suddenly locked
> out, and the BOD privately sold off many assets to line their
> own pockets, and the stuff that was too big to sell was trashed
> (including the Voice of America broadcasting console and an
> ancient 5000 watt RCA AM transmitter) and the place now converted
> to guided tours hands-off, beginning and ending in the gift shop
> which had been the tech lab where exhibits were serviced.. May
> the BOD rot for that disgrace.
>
> I am not saying that's what would happen, but I am concerned for
> the future of our historical charges and the legacy they bespeak.
>

That can happen no matter where the items go, as should be
evident given the history of the Boston Computer Museum.
I am configdent that so long as I could continue to garner
corportate sponsorship in the form of small (small to any
real corporation) grants to cover operating expenses like
payroll for the workers/curators [mostly drawn from the
ranks of students which would a) keep the cost down,
b) make the operation even more in-line with the mission
of the University, and c) provide experience and learning
to the students that I personally think would be invaluable]
and acquisition of additional exhibits, keeping space would
not be a problem.

bill 

-- 
Bill Gunshannon          |  de-moc-ra-cy (di mok' ra see) n.  Three wolves
bill@cs.scranton.edu     |  and a sheep voting on what's for dinner.
University of Scranton   |
Scranton, Pennsylvania   |         #include <std.disclaimer.h>

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