We found the oldest photograph of the ICOM Archives (1948) and it is a group of women. After doing some digging, we uncovered the story behind it.
A thread on #WomenInMuseums
#IWD2020
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The ICOM Archives are housed at the European Space Agency. Like the universe, we will never stop exploring it.
In our most recent expedition we found this treasure 👇
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The picture was taken in Paris in 1948 during one of the first meetings of the now-defunct ICOM Children’s Museum Committee.
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The woman with the black dress in the middle is Margaret M. Brayton, the Chair of the Committee. At the time, she was a curator at the Children’s Museum of Detroit.
(Now under )
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We were quite fascinated with the picture so we decided to explore more.
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The Committee met in Paris on 28 June 1948 for the first ICOM General Conference to present the first report on their activities. Orly Airport had been inaugurated just two days before, and it was the largest in Europe!
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That year, the conference gathered 310 museum professionals from 28 countries, focusing on the role of museums in peacebuilding after the war. Brayton crossed the Atlantic Ocean to attend the first ICOM General Conference in Paris and represent the Committee.
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In her speech, Brayton reminded the leaders then present of the huge responsibility of museums in building a better world by educating the younger generations.
“Left to themselves [children] recognize no barriers of race or creed but they grow up fast and time is short.”
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What she said in Paris 72 years ago still resonates today. This year, International Museum Day aims at sending the same message: “Museums for Equality: Diversity and Inclusion”.
#Museums4Equality
#IMD2020
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Spreading the accomplishments of women like Brayton is what #WomenInMuseums is about.
We invite you take a deeper look to your collections and archives to uncover their stories.
What women make your museum thrive? Use the hashtag #WomenInMuseums and tell us about them!
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You can read more about Margaret M. Brayton and the Children’s Museum Committee of ICOM here 👇
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