Seattle Museums

It is a common mistake to assume that museums showcase ancient artifacts; those that are not available anymore to modern society. Thus they are preserved so that every generation that follows will learn more about their roots, and the building blocks of their society. That assumption could not be further from the truth. The Merriam-Webster's Online Dictionary defines a museum as 'an institution devoted to the procurement, care, study, and display of objects of lasting interest or value' and also 'a place where objects are exhibited'.

The museums found in the city of Seattle are a prime example of this fact. Since the city is vast, there are many museums situated in close proximity of one another. Art has always been held in high esteem no matter what the historical era. Therefore in Seattle, one would find a large array of art museums that showcase works of art from artists, both well-known and those not so well known, both ancient and modern. Although in most cases the artist is long gone; his memory is preserved for posterity through his work.

The Seattle Art Museum, commonly referred to as SAM is the most famous. It showcases works of art of early European painters as well as modern artifacts. Situated in downtown Seattle, the SAM has over 25,000 works of art on display. Amongst them is the Eagle by Alexander Calder and The Judgment of Paris by Lucas Cranach the Elder. More modern pieces such as Wake by Richard Serra and paintings by modern American painters such as Jacob Lawrence and Mark Tobey are also on display. This museum is most notable for its Asian, African, Aboriginal, and Native American pieces of art. With the vision 'preserving the past and informing the future' the Seattle's Museum of History and Industry (MOHAI) encompasses the past, present and the future. It is a non-profit, private educational institute that promotes Seattle and its surrounding region. Up on display is probably one of the largest collections of photographs depicting the history of Seattle, Kings County and the Pacific Northwest. Some of the exhibits currently on display are the Captured Moments, Extraordinary Views by McCurdy Gallery, Essential Seattle', and BOOMTOWN: Seattle Before the Great Fire by Brinkley Gallery. Probably one of the most fascinating museums to visit is the Museum of Flight. It is the largest air and space museum on the west coast and the largest privately owned museum of its kind in the world. On display are some of the finest ancient combat aircrafts such as the B-29 known to be the only aircraft to drop atomic bombs during war, and the Caproni Ca.20, the world's first fighter plane from World War I. Seattle Museums

The Children's Museum is one of the most exciting museums to visit, not only for children but for adults and educationists too. Catering to children ages 0-10 this museum is located near the Space Needle in the heart of Seattle and thus an easy access point to tourists and locals alike. At the crux of its vision is the intrinsic understanding that the earliest years of a child's life are his most formative, and that hands on learning for parents, teachers and children is the best way forward. In a nutshell, the Children's Museum is a simulated 'perfect' world that is a learning cocoon for youngsters. Widely referred to as the 'birthplace of Seattle', The Log House Museum is an interesting edifice carved out of a log structure in 1903. Embodying the spirit of The Emerald City, some of the exhibits in here are the Northwest Native Plant Gardens, Centennial: 100 Facts, Photos and Fabulous Finds of the Birthplace, and West By Water: Maritime History of West Seattle.

Amongst the multitude of museums found in the city, the Wing Luke Asian Museum, the Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture, and the Charles and Emma Frye Art Museum, also deserve mentioning.