The museum I chose for the project is Battleship Cove located in Falls River Massachusetts. There are 5 main exhibits: A tent with a Bell UH-1 “Huey” Iroquois 66-00609 and a Bell AH-1 “Huey” Cobra 70-16038, a building that contains the PT boats PT-617 and PT-796, USS Joseph F Kennedy, USS Lionfish, and USS Massachusetts. there are no curators present and the museum is organized with the tent and building on the left, and the ships on the dock on the right.
Before you walk into the ticket register, the bow of the cruiser USS Falls river is on display. The first museum exhibit after walking through the ticket register is an LCM 56 on display. A nearby tent contains a Bell UH-1 “Huey” Iroquois 66-00609 and a Bell AH-1 “Huey” Cobra 70-16038. After walking through the tent, another exhibit is a building that contains the PT boats PT-617 and PT-796. After exiting the exhibit using the exit on the right, the destroyer USS Joseph F Kennedy is moored on the dock nearby, inside the destroyer, alongside most of the preserved machinery, the various rooms, and the weaponry, an additional exhibit onboard the destroyer is contains a special chair for soldiers that were Missing In Action or Captured In Action. After seeing everything on the USS Joseph F Kennedy, to the rightmost part of the dock, is the USS Massachusetts on display and the USS Lionfish which was undergoing maintenance. Onboard the USS Massachusetts, most of the machinery, rooms and weaponry are preserved with the addition of two exhibits: One dedicated to the roles women served in during WW2 with uniforms on display and the other being dedicated to the Operation Torch, the first combat outting for the ship with the US flag Massachusetts flew during the operation.
The only technology present is a TV used for presentation in the PT boat exhibit. Everything else is either text or on display.
The historical interpretation of each of the exhibits mainly talks about the item’s history starting with it’s construction and design, then talking about the action that it saw and the year it saw action and lastly, how it was retired and preserved there.The contribution the museum hopes to make is to preserve the ships history for the purpose that members of the public can learn about it said history. The exhibition interprets everything in the way that it has been interpreted during it’s service.
The Museum’s target audiance are members of the public, historians and anyone else who is interested in history because the museum and exhibits are about WW2 era history.
The challenges that the museum faced in the creation and realization of the exhibit was raising enough money to buy the USS Massachusetts from the US Navy and currently maintaining the exhibits due to their constant exposure to water and the elements. These challenges didn’t seem to hard for the museum to overcome. The biggest contengent factor the museum faced was time because if the museum wasn’t able to raise enough money in time to save the Massachusetts, the exhibit or the museum could’ve been radically different from what it is today.
To sum up, Battleship Cove is a museum whose inteneded audience is the public, historians and anyone else intrested in the topic. The information presented in each of the exhibits cover everything about the exhibit and the featured item’s service life.
One thought on “Battleship Cove”
Hi Jonathan. Here is my feedback:
Strengths:
Detailed Description: Your review provides a thorough description of Battleship Cove, outlining its exhibits, layout, and historical significance. You effectively convey the museum’s offerings and organization, giving readers a clear understanding of what to expect.
Comprehensive Coverage: By detailing each exhibit, including the ships, PT boats, and special features like the MIA/POW chair, you offer a comprehensive overview of Battleship Cove’s attractions. This allows readers to grasp the breadth and depth of the museum’s collection.
Historical Interpretation: Your discussion of the historical interpretation at Battleship Cove, focusing on the construction, action, and retirement of each exhibit, demonstrates the museum’s commitment to preserving and presenting the history of the featured items. This insight enhances readers’ understanding of the exhibits’ significance.
Target Audience Clarity: You clearly identify the target audience of Battleship Cove as the public, historians, and anyone interested in World War II history. This helps readers determine if the museum aligns with their interests and informs them about the type of experience they can expect.
Challenges and Overcoming: Your acknowledgment of the challenges faced by the museum, such as raising funds to acquire the USS Massachusetts and maintaining exhibits, adds depth to your review. By highlighting how Battleship Cove overcame these obstacles, you underscore the museum’s resilience and dedication to its mission.
Areas for Improvement:
Technology Utilization: While you mention the presence of a TV for presentations in the PT boat exhibit, expanding on the use of technology throughout the museum, if any, could provide readers with a better understanding of the interactive elements and multimedia experiences available.
Visitor Experience: Including insights or anecdotes about your own experience visiting Battleship Cove, such as standout exhibits or personal impressions, could enhance the review and make it more engaging for readers.
Further Evaluation: While you provide a comprehensive overview of Battleship Cove, offering deeper insights or critical evaluation of specific exhibits, interpretive approaches, or visitor amenities could enrich the review and provide readers with a more nuanced perspective.
Overall, your review effectively communicates the highlights and strengths of Battleship Cove, providing readers with valuable information about the museum’s exhibits, historical interpretation, and target audience.