Written by: Chengli Payton
Some people like them, some people don’t. But once you do, you’re forever changed. That statement applies to many things, but I’m talking about museums! I have been going to museums since before I could walk. I have fond memories of aimlessly wandering great tourist-filled halls and stumbling upon really interesting exhibits.
I can’t lie; I also have had my fair share of lagging behind my parents and counting down the minutes until lunchtime. (The Guggenheim gave me a bit of vertigo, I’m so sorry). Time moves differently in museums, which is a thing of wonder. There are countless reasons why being a museum-goer changed my life. I attribute this to the fact that museum-going has helped my self-development, offered me quality time with others, and been a place to experience culture and beauty.
When I say that going to museums has helped my self-development, that does not mean that I am the next Frida Kahlo or something. No, I didn’t pick up any magical artistic-related skills, but I did learn some other important lessons. Simply stepping into a museum teaches you a sense of etiquette and understanding of sharing space with others. They encourage you to look inward while simultaneously looking outward at the creations surrounding you.
My early memories of museums were being very introspective, quiet, and curious. Even in the crowded areas, the repetitive action of going from room to room is calming and comforting. Whether looking at grandiose paintings or dainty pottery, I can’t help but to romanticize what I see. Looking at art also puts things into perspective. It’s kind of like going to a planetarium and realizing just how vast the universe is. Despite the minute feelings of existential dread, museums imbued me with a stronger sense of self.
Along that exploratory path, I’ve been to many different types of museums and curated a mental list of what attracts me in terms of art and art history. I have gained confidence to talk about art with others and been able to share that passion. I think that everyone should have some hobbies for personal fulfillment, and I am glad to say that museum-going has become an important one to me.
I must attribute ever setting foot in a museum to my parents. We live not too far from New York City, and there are some very renowned museums there. Perhaps the most popular would be the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Home to the Met Gala and the backdrop for some fun Gossip Girl scenes, it is one of my absolute favorite museums. I go to a different spot every time, but I am always drawn to the beautiful oil paintings in the European wing. Their gift shop is a must! But so is the somehow well-hidden Henry R. Luce Center for the Study of American Art. It’s basically their open storage room, which looks like if IKEA were around in the 1700s! Suffice it to say, there are always new spots to explore and new exhibits opening. I’ve spent a decent amount of time wandering those hallways pondering on the various relics. This area made me realize just how important seeing how museums are tasked with displaying and celebrating culture and history.
Of course, the purpose of going to museums is not to become some terrifically intellectual being, but it is an avenue to create memories and spend quality time with others. I remember taking trips there with my friends in my early teen years. I developed independence by going to museums in Manhattan with my friends. We even found some really great food spots after long museum days. Shout-out to Home Kitchen in the Upper East Side! I have such fond memories of encouraging my friends to go with me to NYC. We ended up in the Natural History Museum. My friend’s knee injury did not stop us from enjoying the art – we had a fun day pushing her around in a wheelchair and making good memories. One crazy taxi ride helped cement our memories. Going to museums with my friends has been an enjoyable outlet for us, and it has been a vehicle for developing better bonds with them.
But don’t be fooled; I’ve spent time in places outside of the glitz and glamor: local history museums, art galleries, children’s museums, and historical houses. Oddly, they gave me a sense of discipline, attention to detail, and imagination. I come from a pretty literary and art-loving family. Looking back, I realize that museums, to me, are the perfect blend of creative expression through fine arts and the literary world. Yes, the literary world! I have spent hours reading the labels and learning about history just as much as I have learned about art.
For example, my trip to the Morgan Library & Museum broadened my perspective about museums and history. I learned about Belle da Costa Greene, a talented and devoted librarian who passed for White as J.P. Morgan’s personal assistant. Their whole exhibit dedicated to her life and accomplishments blew me away. It reaffirmed my dedication to learning about the arts, librarianship, and discovering perspectives hidden by racism or misogyny. This display was a valuable lesson that what we choose to say and do has a real impact.
Challenging your perspective and critical thinking have been an important takeaway from every museum visit I’ve had, even if I didn’t think so at the time. While it’s not technically a historical museum, I have been to the preserved reformatory where Shawshank Redemption was filmed, since it is in my parents’ hometown. Spooky and definitely paranormal in the moment, I learned more about local history and even my old family: we looked around the reformatory for the stained glass windows proudly made by my grandpa. Museum-going can be an exercise in bravery, giving it your all, and earnestly showing up to a new experience.
So, yes, visiting museums and seeing local history and art is what you make of it. I can positively attest to museums being fun, inexpensive family trips, but I may not have said this when I was younger. You can make a vacation out of museums if you really want to; they don’t have to be costly. Being able to support local businesses, such as when I visit my town’s history museum, has been gratifying to me. Supporting museums can give you a newfound sense of purpose and belonging.
What is also gratifying to me, on a more spiritual level, is being in a building dedicated to history, culture, and different forms of expression. It feels almost sacred. Maybe I’m wandering into Aestheticism territory, but there’s beauty in all art, and we just need to know how and where to look. And maybe I’m too existential for my own good, but going to museums has taught me a lot about human nature and the common threads we all share, despite the huge diversity of cultures on Earth.
Once you’ve sampled just a bit of the tangibility of human history and creativity at a museum, it’s hard not to be changed. This summer, bring a friend or family member, and take a trip to your nearest museum. They’ve made me a more empathetic, curious, and wise individual. They consistently refresh and renew my commitment to lifelong learning and enjoying that ride. Without museums, I don’t know where I would find inspiration for my own art, or where I could go for introspection and catharsis. Museums have been a source of joy and contentment in my life, and I believe they have that transformative power for everybody.
Featured Image Caption: The American Wing at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
