As the Chief Historical Interpreter at the Murney Tower Museum, I was given the opportunity to assist the Museum Curator with the 2018/2019 exhibition renewal of the barracks level of the Tower. The museum is comprised of 3 levels-- the gun platform, the barracks, and the basement (dry ditch defense and storage). I aided with the installation of new banners and information display cards created by the Curator, council members, and dedicated volunteers during the 2018 off-season. The barracks was the next phase of the renewal. I was given an independent project of researching two curator-approved and museum-related topics of my choice. I chose to research Martello towers around the world and their materials. The project also entailed generating the text, selecting the images, and creating a digital draft of a panel to be included on the barracks level. This draft aided in decisions regarding the organization and layout of the final 8' wall panel, which I helped install for the 2019 opening season. The final panel was designed by Toronto-based graphic designer, Caitlin McVeigh and printed by KKP Kingston.
While completing this project I:
- Listened to visitor comments and questions to determine gaps in knowledge pertaining to the current museum displays, which enabled me to make an evidence-based decision to select "British Martello Towers Around the World" and "Materials" as topics
- Applied my knowledge of research techniques, tools, and resources to conduct research on said topics both online and at the Queen's University Archives, which resulted in accurate and fact-checked panel content
- Utilized my writing skills to create clear and concise panel text that is educational, but also not text-heavy
- Collaborated with a fellow French-speaking interpreter and museum volunteer to make the panel bilingual, which will increase accessibility while also aligning with the museum's mandate to foster and create interest in relevant and accurate historical content
- Used my knowledge of art and design principles to generate an aesthetically appealing draft of the panel on Canva that follows the new branding plan of the museum
- Communicated effectively with the Curator throughout the project and applied feedback when given
- Assisted the Curator with some of the planning and layout of the entire barracks exhibition renewal (i.e. taking measurements, providing input based on daily engagement with visitors)
Contributing to the 2018/2019 exhibition renewal of the Murney Tower Museum was of utmost importance to me. It aligns with my passion to increase the accessibility of authentic and accurate information. Through my research, my decisions regarding layout, and collaborative efforts to make the panel bilingual, I feel this project supports to this passion.
