Some Examples of Publicity, Educational and Research Work of the Maritime Museums in Rostock [antikvár]

SOME EXAMPLES OF PUBLICITY, EDUCATIONAL AND RESEARCH WORK OF THE MARITIME MU- SEUMS IN ROSTOCK by Johannes Lachs All cultural institutions and therefore all museums, irrespective of size and field, ultimately depend on the resonance they find among the public. They are forced to draw attention to themselves and generally attempt to attract the broadest possible sections of the public to their exhibitions which, particularly those of a permanent nature correspon- ding to the objectives and specific character of the museum concerned, must be the focus of all endeavours. This is, and will remain, the scientific, cultural, and social aim of all museums. This observation requires no further elucidation; it is one of the fundamentals of our profession. If the premise is accepted that permanent exhibitions are the actual purpose and task of the museum, all activities directed towards other ends must be regarded as what they are and must be: simply aids in fulfilling the main goal. Museums exploit a variety of publicity methods to attract visitors and to enhance interest in the exhibitions. The most frequently used are probably posters and show-cases with pamphlets, catalogues, and guides to enhance interest and understanding during visits. These might be considered the foundations of publicity work. We all know from practical experience that museums are unable to fulfil all their wishes in this respect because, after all, such things cost money, and no museum has unlimited funds at its disposal. As a result, these methods cannot always be used simultaneously. Publicity material available at the entrance or at a separate stand ranges from books on the field dealt with by the museum, to printed matter containing information of a local nature and street plans, posters, and post cards. It also includes publicity material issued by shipping enterprises and, finally, a more or less extensive assortment of also more or less aesthetic souvenirs which are so popular among a large proportion of the visitors. Before presenting some of the experience we have gained during our Museujn educational and publicity activities it might be appropriate to make some remarks regarding our situation. The Maritime Museums of our town — which is the largest port in the German Democratic Republic — have only existed for about