Foreword
To the Table of Contents
It is my pleasure to introduce Liesbeth Pyfers’s outstanding report on Deaf museums in Europe. The Deaf Museums Project, funded by the European Union’s Erasmus+ programme, is the first large-scale transnational project to focus on the development of Deaf museums, which have traditionally labored in isolation. The project’s output, including Deaf Museums in Europe: State of the Art, which you are now reading, will pave the way for the expansion of Deaf public history efforts around the world.
For most of history, Deaf culture has been “one generation thick,” as most Deaf children are born to hearing parents, and frequently go on to have hearing children themselves. Deaf museums are an important part of transmission of Deaf culture across generations, but they have historically struggled to survive beyond the dedicated work of a few volunteers. Mainstream, or “hearing,” museums, do much better at achieving long-term success, but they fail to tell Deaf stories, leaving Deaf visitors without a place to see themselves in public places of memory. The problem is twofold: Deaf museum-makers lack expertise in museums, and mainstream museum-makers lack expertise in Deaf culture.
This book brings both groups together, creating an opportunity for knowledge exchange supported by research. The fundamental considerations for operating a museum are explained with references to recent developments in the field, providing a “one-stop shop” for Deaf people who hope to work in or establish a museum to begin learning about best practices, and resources for further education. The challenges faced by existing Deaf museums in Europe are also presented, allowing mainstream museum workers to understand the unique situation of minority museums - and, especially, understand the importance of Deaf voices being part of Deaf storytelling.
I was asked to consult on the Deaf Museums Project at its meeting in Siena, Italy, in 2022. The deaf and hearing teams working on exhibitions about Deaf culture demonstrated a clear understanding of museum practices, motivation to continue their work, and cultural competencies essential to the field of Deaf museums. The development of these exhibitions correlates with the principles outlined in this book, establishing Deaf Museums in Europe: State of the Art as a leading publication in the field.
Although the examples used in this publication are all based in Europe, the tools and principles herein are globally relevant. As you read the chapters, you will find support for your efforts in developing a Deaf museum anywhere in the world. I encourage you to refer to this book often as you travel on the journey of preserving and exhibiting Deaf heritage.
Meredith Peruzzi
Director of the National Deaf Life Museum
Gallaudet University
Washington, DC
http://www.meredithperuzzi.com
May 2023