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November 7, 2015
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Still thinking about the proposed remodel presentation some of us experienced at the Cody Firearms Museum last month. The price tag is a bit mind-boggling but I liked what I saw. Quite honestly many of the planned exhibits or the way they’ll likely be presented don’t appeal to me but that’s probably a good thing, their goal is to capture the interest of the average museum guest and educate them about firearms on a level they can understand. I don’t see this as “dumbing down” the museum experience, more accurately I think it will broaden the appeal. I like the museum very much the way it is but I’d like to see more people there. One of my biggest regrets on my visit to Cody last month was not getting to spend much time at the museums. Felt really bad for my shooting buddy, he’s one of the folks that told me about CFM years and years ago and he hasn’t been there in quite some time. I’m beginning to realize that supporting CFM does more than benefit the records division and the firearms collection, it hopefully will help educate the next generations of shooters and Winchester collectors.
What do y’all think?
I like it as is but understand it must appeal to all ages and focus groups. They need is for the traffic for the town and the museums. What really caught my attention was the several hours in the McCracken Library. I choose to research the final manufacturing of the 1866’s and the configurations made in the final stages for export in a different caliber. That got me several boxes to sign out and page through in the library. The two boxes of correspondence were fascinating. Added to what Bert has told me about all the records that need to be organized more, one can see the wealth of information stored there and that can be reviewed. Some day it will bring more to the forefront of the guns and their planning, changing, selling and shipping.
Its a must for any scheduled visit to the museum. Its raw history, to be looked at page by page. I’ll annually contribute always. Bill
I agree with both of you guys, it was a bitter sweet presentation. I was happy they were planning on displaying more firearms currently in storage but was disappointed at the cost and resources expended for “dumbing down” the museum presentation for the masses. It of course pays the bills but further deflects the mission from displaying everything they own. My personal opinion would be to spend money to be able to display everything first, then focus on directing the existing displays to a specific audience. It seems like they are fishing for the easy money. But that is just me.
They have, and will continue, to receive my money and support, these are just ruminations on my part.
Regards,
WACA Life Member #6284 - Specializing in Pre-64 Winchester .22 Rimfire
Folks,
Like everyone else, I have a personal opinion, and you opened the door! I have enjoyed the museum the way it is, only wishing more of the reference firearms were out, etc. However, I also realize I do not tend to have grand original ideas for things like “displays” and how to interest new customers. Ashley is school trained, and seems to be full of ideas. Perhaps they will help in the long run. However, having said that, I am reminded of NATO (my last duty assignment). As the Soviet Union disappeared, their main cause to exist disappeared in my humble opinion. Thus there was a thrust to define “out of area operations” to keep NATO “current and valid”. In reality I felt it was a thrashing about to remain in existence. Look at the renaming of the BBHC to the BBCofW. A person or group wished to stamp their ideas/self importance on the situation. Will it help? I don’t know. Will it hurt? I don’t know that either. It is change, and I am getting tired of change anymore. I still intend to support the museum, am very grateful for what they do to help us in research, and have to hope that when all is said and done the final product will indeed bring more of the general public into greater contact with the firearms and educate them better. I don’t have a good alternative myself.
Tim
November 7, 2015
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The McCracken Library is an interesting point, Bill. I suspect it appeals to and is utilized by a very small percentage of the public but it’s available and very important to collectors. It doesn’t fit into the plan for a broader appeal but more visitors will help ensure this resource will continue to be available. I have this fantasy that some day someone will find the repair shop ledger in one of those mountains of records in storage at the museum but in the meantime the building must be maintained and staffed and that takes revenue or donations. I’m willing and able to donate but increased revenue from visitors and hopefully more members is a better plan.
This viewpoint comes up from time to time but is probably quite relevant in the Cody remodel discussion. A large number of us lever action aficionados grew up in the days when Westerns dominated Hollywood, and especially TV. In the late 50’s and early 60’s there wasn’t a prime time hour that didn’t offer at least one Western on TV. And, aside from the ubiquitous Colt .45, all sported a Winchester ’73 (even thought they were actually 1892’s). Who of us didn’t have a Mattel Shootin’ Shell 45 cap pistol or a Red Ryder lever action BB gun? We grew up to be Winchester (and Colt) collectors.
Some of the biggest movie stars got their start in television Westerns: James Garner, Steve McQueen and Clint Eastwood, specifically.
Today the shows center around police and some military shows, where the action is dominated by totally unrealistic cartoon-like explosions every few minutes and guns that spit out bullets almost as fast as an Uzi because no one can shoot straight. (Remember the days when the Lone Ranger or Roy Rogers shot the gun out of the bad guy’s hand and there was no bloodshed?) This is reflected in the standard gun shows of today where nary a lever action is to be found among the hundreds of display tables featuring so-called “black guns”. To me those are like the kids “transformers” where you can buy a basic pistol or rifle and then stick on 15 or 20 aftermarket doodads.
The point is, we the collectors of what the Cody Museum has on display are a dying breed. Every year there are a few less Winchester collectors and thence, fewer potential visitors to the museum. The fact that the price demanded by of Winchesters continues to rise is not due to the increase in their popularity but due to the fact that they don’t make antiques anymore (genuine ones) and every day some gun dealer parts out another worn out, low end, Winchester, thus further reducing the pool of available samples.
I’m guessing that Cody is quite aware of all this and is trying to adjust their offerings to attract, and thus educate, visitors.
"This is the West, sir. When the legend becomes fact, print the legend."
November 7, 2015
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Lots of good points, Wayne. I don’t see or know many (OK, any) young Winchester collectors but maybe that’s something that comes with maturity. I’ve always had a Winchester or two but wasn’t bitten by the collector bug until several years ago…about the time I quit watching TV….coincidence? Probably. For most segments of the Winchester collector market a fair bit of discretionary funds is necessary and for most young folks that isn’t possible. I hope that we aren’t a dying breed because that means within the next 20 years or so our treasured Winchesters will be nearly worthless. Forty years ago most weren’t worth much but at the moment they seem to be doing quite well. Most of my Winchesters came (indirectly) from estates, quite likely the previous owners acquired them the same way. I just hope the CFM inspires a few 20 or 30-something’s to become Winchester collectors someday, otherwise our heirs are going to be stuck with some “old guns” that nobody seems to want. I want someone to enjoy collecting, shooting or hunting with them for at least a few more generations.
One exhibit in particular illustrates how out-of-step I am with today’s museum guest. In 2007 I made my first visit to the CFM and really enjoyed the John Moses Browning exhibit. On my next visit the exhibit was missing; Ashley told be it was being renovated. I was disappointed, to say the least. I also learned that the things I liked best about the exhibit were actually the least popular items. I didn’t understand that at the time, not sure I do now. When the exhibit was finished I liked it but was disappointed that it didn’t contain a single Model 1885 rifle. The gun that launched the career of JMB should have been part of the exhibit but apparently I’m wrong about that. Point is, I don’t understand what draws the attention of the average museum guest. Ashley and other folks much smarter than me have studied this situation and the new exhibits will be designed using what they’ve learned.
Young folks today don’t seem to have much interest in history and that concerns me. I think museums can help solve that problem if they can somehow capture their attention.
Young folks today don’t seem to have much interest in history and that concerns me. I think museums can help solve that problem if they can somehow capture their attention.
History and Civics aren’t taught anymore because they aren’t required by college entrance exams and aren’t tested for anywhere. From what I understand schools now teach what is needed to pass test and not what is needed to produce a well educated public. So, you can’t expect the youth to have any interest in history.
THEY STOPPED TEACHING HISTORY IN SCHOOLS AT ALL LEVELS, AND HERE IS A GOOD EXAMPLE.
Theodore “Dutch” J. Van Kirk was the navigator on the “Enola Gay” when it dropped the bomb on Hiroshima, Japan, and is the last surviving member of the crew.
This really happened last week, January 15, 2014. Dutch was asked to speak at a grammar school this past week.
The young teacher introduced him by saying that the speaker was a veteran of World War Eleven.(as in WW11).
Dutch stood up and walked out of the school without saying a word.
"This is the West, sir. When the legend becomes fact, print the legend."
I don’t know the specifics of the remodeling, but it sounds like a case of dumbing down for the masses.
November 7, 2015
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mrcvs said
I don’t know the specifics of the remodeling, but it sounds like a case of dumbing down for the masses.
That was my first impression but I soon realized that to continue to exist CFM must find a way to reach the public and capture their interest. I don’t think young folks generally process information the same way we do. I don’t pretend to understand it but I know they’re not stupid, they just see things in a different way.
I don’t think expecting schools to teach history is a good plan, we’ve been watching that situation deteriorate for some time now.
How can they teach history when they are so busy rewriting it.
Vince
Southern Oregon
NRA member
Fraternal Order of Eagles
“There is but one answer to be made to the dynamite bomb and that can best be made by the Winchester rifle.”
Teddy Roosevelt
TXGunNut said
That was my first impression but I soon realized that to continue to exist CFM must find a way to reach the public and capture their interest. I don’t think young folks generally process information the same way we do. I don’t pretend to understand it but I know they’re not stupid, they just see things in a different way.
I’ve been to some truly amazing museums over the years. The best ones were usually packed to the gills with artifacts. Sadly, many of these are gone or have changed so they can appeal to the masses, and survive.
They have to now have lots of open space, be interactive, etc. Sad, really. These kids spend too much time in front of their computers, so it is a task to even get them to a museum, and their attention span is the length of a commercial.
The Berkshire Museum in western Massachusetts is selling off some artwork to focus less on art, and more on interactive exhibits, just so it can survive. The sale of the artwork is supposed to pay to remodel so “Junior” can be entertained.
The Mark Twain Museum in Hartford, Connecticut built a visitor’s centre just before the recession, and almost went bankrupt due to the bill for this and dwindling numbers of tourists.
Vince said
How can they teach history when they are so busy rewriting it.
Right!
Let’s remove every Confederate statue like the War of Northern Aggression never happened.
It is depressing the direction the world is heading…
November 7, 2015
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Looks like I’ll be heading to Cody in the next few weeks, hope to hear more about the remodel plans while I’m there. Even though some of the changes may not appeal to me I think they will be good for the museum and younger gun owners (and potential gun owners). Apparently maintaining the status quo is not a viable option, I don’t completely understand all the reasons behind that but I’m trying to accept it. I think it’s pretty cool to have a world-class museum in a neat little town like Cody.
Pretty excited about spending some open-ended time at the museum soon. Never been able to do that, should be fun.
All
I spoke with Ashley in July, my take away is that she truly wants to make the museum better, and relevant to “today’s generation”. Speaking with her, she would definitely welcome input form WACA members, especially with authenticity.
The challenge right now is how do we get the right person or persons to provide input. We all have opinions, and we all know the outcome when things are designed by committee.
Feedback would be appreciated
Very Respectfully (V/r)
Mike Hunter
President
November 7, 2015
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Good points, Mike. I think if the members knew a bit more about the planned exhibits they’d likely be able to supply any needed input. I know that Ashley has the drive and enthusiasm necessary for this huge undertaking as well as a knowledge of what it will take to attract a broad spectrum of visitors. I’m hoping the exhibits that benefit and interest the serious or aspiring collector will be retained or integrated into the new format. In my humble opinion there’s not much point in getting folks interested in firearms if there isn’t something to encourage a more in-depth desire to learn about their history and resources to facilitate those efforts. Not many new visitors will become serious or casual collectors but we need a steady supply of new collectors to keep our activities alive.
November 7, 2015
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I learned this weekend that many of my (our?) assumptions about the CFM renovations were inaccurate. First of all, thanks to new display cases that occupy less floor space per gun MORE firearms will be displayed after the renovations than with current display cases. New display cases will offer better visibility and will have more information for those of us that appreciate such things.
Yes, many of the interactive exhibits will target the low-information visitor but they won’t forget the casual interest visitor or collector. I honestly don’t know how they’ll do that but I suspect they’ll be able to pull it off. They even have plans for a reference materials section, I’m thinking that will be pretty cool.
They’re hoping the renovations will be complete by July 2019, I’m looking forward to seeing it during that year’s Cody show.
They’re still needing to raise a significant amount of money so if you’re inclined don’t forget to ask them to apply your donation to the CFM renovation effort.
Mike
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