Writing Exhibits

By John Marks, Curator of Collections and Exhibits

May and June are our traditional months to put up new exhibits in time for increased summer visitation. This year’s exhibits are Scientific Investigation: A History of the New York State Agricultural Experiment Station and Geneva A-G (part one of a larger A-Z project).

I titled this “Writing Exhibits” rather than fabricating, creating, or designing exhibits. People come to museums for artifacts and photos, and for computers and electronic wizardry at larger museums, but they still learn primarily through reading. We think in panels, or posters; the main idea at the top of each panel should be short and clear, followed by images and slightly more complex (but still short) captions. The mantra I learned in graduate school was, “No one wants to read a book on the wall.” Main ideas should be kept to about 50 to 100 words at a time.

“Piece of cake!” I hear you say. However, “short writing” has its challenges. One hundred words require as much research as 10,000. Then that research is distilled and filtered into the “best stories” – what are the things upon which I should focus? In the case of the Experiment Station, it spans 131 years of scientific history that is unknown to people outside of agriculture. Do I cover all 131 years, or even do it by decade? Do I focus on some notable scientists and offend the families of those I didn’t think were notable? Do I explain all the science, or none of it?

View of the original Denton house and barns at the Experiment Station, around 1900.

Like any writing, there are steps in the process. Write anything, regardless of how bad it may be, to get the ball rolling. Step away and sleep on it. Rewrite, then hand over to co-workers for editing. (Any writer who says s/he has never been edited is probably lying.) Answer co-workers’ questions and in the process discover the really important ideas that you haven’t conveyed. Rewrite, and continue the process until the deadline looms.

Our main goal is to offer new information to our visitors in an easy-to-experience format. Our audience has varying levels of education, interest in Geneva, and time to spend in the museum. We try to present the “best stories” about a topic and hope it inspires people to learn more. As always, the staff is happy to talk with visitors and provide more information.

Scientific Investigation: A History of the New York State Agricultural Experiment Station will be on display until April 2014. Geneva A-G will be on display until January 2014, followed by Geneva H-N.

My Geneva

By Kerry Lippincott, Executive Director

Last week the first installment of our exhibit, Geneva A to Z, opened.  Geneva A to Z is basically an alphabetical catalog of Geneva.  Every six months we will tackle a different set of letters.  The first set of letters is A to G.  Of course, this got me thinking what represents Geneva to me.

Doctors – Both my brother and I were born in Geneva General Hospital.  Before it moved to Lewis Street, our pediatrician’s office was located on North Street.    As someone who has worn glasses since the age of eight, annual visits to Mason Street Optical was the highlight of my year. 

Restaurants – Growing up my family had a tradition of going out dinner on the Fridays nights.  This often meant Alice’s, Pronti’s, Perkins or Pizza Hut.  Before my junior prom my friends and I had dinner at Mario’s, and the following year we celebrated my 18^th birthday at Nonna’s.   My first “grown-up” dinner (no parents and I used my own money) was at Cobblestone.  And I can’t forget Friendly’s.  For five years I lived in Kansas and there are NO Friendly’s in the entire state of Kansas.  A visit home was not complete without at least one visit to Friendly’s.

Smith Opera House – From the ages of 5 to 11, I danced my way across the stage for an annual dance recital.  I also think my love of the theater can be connected to a production of The Nutcracker.

Elizabeths (or the three Elizabeths) – An interest of mine is women’s history and the first Elizabeth is Elizabeth Blackwell.  In recent months, however, I’ve discovered two other Elizabeths – painter Elizabeth Carson and Elizabeth Ricord.

Stores - Lots of stores come to mind.  Browsing in Guard Cards or the Village Store.  Trips with Dad to purchase concerts tickets at Area Records.  I’ve forgotten the name of the store but it was on Seneca Street and it was one of the few places that sold Anne of Green Gables products.   Buying candy for my grandmothers at Fanny Farmers.    Many pairs of shoes were purchased at the DiDuro’s.

History – My own family history is deeply connected to Geneva.  My great-grandparents lived on Pulteney Street.  Cal was a volunteer fireman and Ada worked as a cleaning lady at the colleges.  Both of my grandmothers graduated from Geneva High.  Grandma Updyke worked her entire career at the  American Can and Grandpa Lippincott was the maintenance man at an apartment complex.  During her college years, Mom student taught in the Geneva City School District.  My parents met at Mario’s and during their first few years of marriage they lived in various apartments around the city.

Routes 5 and 20 – During the summer of 2003 I had an internship at the Women’s Rights National Historical Park in Seneca Falls.  Twice a day for three months I drove through Geneva on Routes 5 and 20.

Home – Happy to call Geneva home.

What’s your Geneva?  Come see Geneva A to Z and share your own stories.