Author: Scott J. Tanner

  • Oakleigh (Alabama)

    Name Oakleigh Type History Museum (Historic House Museum) Location Mobile, Alabama, United States Street Address 350 Oakleigh Place, Mobile, AL 36604 Coordinates 30.6810235, -88.0605545 View on OpenStreetMap OpenStreetMap Directions Open in Google Maps Managed by Historic Mobile Preservation Society (HMPS) Museum Phone (251) 432-1281 Primary Email hmps@bellsouth.net Additional Emails museum@historicoakleigh.org | belles@historicoakleigh.org Tour Days Tuesday–Saturday…

  • Tuskegee Institute National Historic Site (Alabama)

    Name Tuskegee Institute National Historic Site Type National Historic Site within the National Park Service Location Tuskegee, Alabama (on the living campus of Tuskegee University) Authorized October 26, 1974 What The Site Includes The Oaks (Booker T. Washington’s home), the George Washington Carver Museum, and the Historic Campus District (about 50 acres) Managed by National…

  • Old Cabin Jail Museum (Alabama)

    Name Old Cabin Jail Museum Also Known As Old Columbia Jail Location Downtown Columbia, Houston County, Alabama, United States Nearest Cross Streets Main Street and North Street (Downtown Columbia) Coordinates 31.2912874, -85.1121520 Elevation 64 ft (Approx. 20 m) Estimated Construction Period Early 1860s Original Purpose Town Jail Structure Type Historic Wooden Jail (Cabin-Style Form) Interior…

  • A Day in the Life of a Museum Curator

    A museum curator rarely has a “typical” day, yet the work still follows a steady rhythm. Think of it like caring for a living library of objects: every piece has a story, a condition, and a place in a bigger plan. If you’ve ever wondered what happens before an exhibition opens, after a donation arrives,…

  • Museum Jobs and Qualifications

    Museum work is a mix of people, objects, and purpose. Some roles feel like the “front door” of a museum, others run quietly backstage like careful stagehands. If you’re exploring museum jobs, the real question is simple: what kind of work do you want to do every week—care, research, design, teach, or support? Fast View…

  • The Future of Museums

    The future of museums isn’t a single “next big thing.” It’s a set of practical shifts happening in plain sight: hybrid visits, smarter collections care, and more personal learning. Museums are starting to feel less like quiet buildings and more like well-run ecosystems—where stories, objects, people, and tools work together. Fast Snapshot Focus Area What…

  • What Happens When a Museum Receives a Donation?

    When a museum is offered a donation, the story usually starts long before a box arrives at the front desk. It begins with a conversation, a bit of curiosity, and a careful look at whether the object can truly belong. Think of it like inviting a new book into a lifelong library: museum donation process…

  • What Does a Museum Docent Do?

    A museum docent is the person who helps a visit feel alive, not just informative. Think of a docent as a friendly bridge between objects and people: they guide tours, spark curiosity, and make sure visitors don’t miss the “why” behind what they’re seeing. Docent Work At A Glance Welcome visitors with clear orientation and…

  • Museum Educator Roles

    Museum educators are the people who turn objects into meaning. They design learning moments that feel natural—like a good conversation—while still being grounded in research, accessibility, and visitor needs. Quick Role Map Interpretation: explaining collections and exhibitions in clear language Learning Design: building programs, tours, and workshops that fit real audiences Visitor Engagement: shaping hands-on…

  • Top Museums in Dubai

    Dubai does museums in a very Dubai way: big ideas, clean storytelling, and surprising details that stick with you. Want a quick culture hit between city highlights, or a deep dive into heritage houses by the Creek? This guide lines up the top museums in Dubai, with what you’ll actually do inside and how to…

  • Best Museums in Egypt

    Egypt’s museum scene is like a well-stocked pantry: whatever kind of history you’re hungry for, there’s something ready to serve. Want a big-picture introduction before you head to temples? Need a cool indoor break between landmarks? Or maybe you just want to stand in front of an object and think, “How is this even real?”…

  • How to Become a Museum Curator

    Museum curator sounds mysterious, right? One day you’re standing in a gallery, and you think: who chose these objects, wrote these labels, and made this story feel alive? That’s curatorial work. A curator is part researcher, part collection guardian, and part storyteller who turns “stuff” into meaning. Fast View: The Curator Job In Real Life…

  • Top Museums in Paris

    Paris museums can feel like a buffet: amazing, a little overwhelming, and full of choices you’ll want to taste fast. This guide keeps it simple and practical, so you can pick the right Paris museum for your time, your mood, and your energy level. Want masterpieces in a single sweep? Or a calmer small-museum day…

  • Are Museums Free in NYC?

    NYC museums are not universally free, but many can feel almost free if you know the right entry rules. In New York, “free” often means free hours, free days, or pay-what-you-wish for certain visitors. The trick is learning the admission model a museum uses, then planning like you’re lining up museum visits on a calendar—clean,…

  • Museums in Japan

    Japan’s museums can feel like time machines with good lighting. One door opens to ancient ceramics, the next to robot demos, and somehow it all still feels calm, like a well-run library. If you’re planning to explore museums in Japan, this guide helps you choose the right places, pace your day, and spot the small…

  • Best Museums in NYC

    NYC museums can feel like a buffet: exciting, a little overwhelming, and packed with choices. This guide spotlights the best museums in NYC for different interests, moods, and time budgets—so you can spend less energy deciding and more time enjoying real masterpieces. Quick Picks First Time In NYC: The Met for “wow,” then MoMA for…

  • Best Museums in Washington DC

    Washington, DC is built for museum lovers. You can move from dinosaurs to modern art in the same afternoon, often with free admission and easy Metro access. The tricky part is not finding a great place. It’s choosing the right museum for your time, your mood, and the people you’re traveling with. Quick Museum Picks…

  • Paris Museum Pass

    Think of the Paris Museum Pass as a single key that opens dozens of doors across Paris museums and monuments. You show one pass, you walk in, you move on to the next place—simple, fast, and very satisfying when your plan is packed. Quick Facts What it is: One pass for 50+ participating museums and…

  • Are Museums in Washington DC Free?

    If you’re wondering whether museums in Washington, DC are free, the answer is mostly yes—especially around the National Mall. Many of the city’s best-known institutions are built on a simple idea: open the doors, let curiosity walk in, and keep the entry price at zero. Quick Answers Yes: Most Smithsonian museums in DC have free…

  • Amsterdam Museum Card

    Amsterdam Museum Card Basics Quick mindset: treat an Amsterdam museum card like a bundle ticket. If you’ll actually use the bundle, it’s satisfying. If not, it’s like buying a gym membership for a single treadmill day. At A Glance Table Card Type Best For Typical Validity Usually Includes Watch Outs City Museum Card Short stays,…

  • Are Museums Free on Sundays?

    People ask this a lot: are museums free on Sundays, or is that just a travel myth? The honest answer is it depends—on the country, the museum type, and sometimes even the exact hour you show up. Fast Facts You Can Use “Free on Sundays” often means first Sunday only, not every Sunday. Some places…

  • What Museum Is Starry Night In?

    If you’re asking The Starry Night’s museum home, the answer is clear: you’ll find it at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York City. It’s the kind of painting people hunt for like a north star—so let’s make sure you walk in, head to the right area, and actually see the real one….

  • Why the Mona Lisa Is So Famous

    Millions of people know the Mona Lisa before they ever learn a single art term. You might see her face on a poster, a mug, a meme, or a school slide deck—and then, one day, you meet the real painting and think: Wait, it’s smaller than I expected? That surprise is part of the magic….

  • Which Museum Was Night at the Museum Filmed In?

    The short answer: Night at the Museum is set in the American Museum of Natural History in New York City—and the movie did use the real building for key shots. But a big chunk of the “inside the museum” action was created on purpose-built soundstages in the Vancouver area, so the camera could roam like…

  • Best Science Museums for Children

    Science museums for children work best when they feel like a playground with a purpose. You walk in for “a quick look,” and suddenly your kid is launching paper rockets, building circuits, and asking big questions you didn’t see coming. If you’re trying to pick the best science museum for your family, this guide keeps…

  • Museum Activities for Children

    Most kids don’t “get bored” in a museum—they just need a clear mission, a simple way to look, and permission to be curious. Think of a museum as a big, quiet playground for the brain. Once children know what to do with their eyes, hands, and questions, the visit starts to click. Quick Starts For…

  • Best Children’s Museums Worldwide

    Children’s museums are built for one big thing: active learning. Not the “stand still and look” kind. More like touch, test, build, role-play, then try again. If you’re planning a family trip (or even a weekend close to home), a great kids’ museum can feel like a shortcut to wonder—part playground, part lab, part storybook….

  • Are Museums Good for Children?

    Yes—museums can be really good for children, especially when the visit matches a child’s age, energy, and interests. A museum can feel like a treasure map: each room offers a clue, a story, a surprise. The key is simple—pick the right place, keep expectations realistic, and let kids lead more than adults think they should….

  • What Is a Natural History Museum?

    A Natural History Museum is a place where real-world evidence tells the story of Earth—through specimens, collections, and carefully built exhibits. Think of it like a time capsule with labels: fossils, minerals, plants, animals, and sometimes human culture, all arranged to help you see patterns like evolution and biodiversity. Natural History Museum Meaning Natural history…

  • Top Science Museums Worldwide

    A science museum is where curiosity stops being an idea and becomes a hands-on experience. You press buttons, spin wheels, and watch the world explain itself. Want space, medicine, or future tech? The best places make learning feel simple, like flipping on a light in a dark room. Below is a worldwide list of standout…