The Armour Archive

Our group just went to a local museum for a trip through their armor collection. It was fantastic, and we learned a lot! Unfortunately, there is precious little in the Midwest that can be considered, "Medieval". So, I'm looking for help to find places to visit for "field trips". No idea too wild, though we're more likely to visit things that are closer to Kansas City. A couple of ideas in the works: The Ozark Medieval Fortress and the Higgins Armory museum.

Any help would be appreciates-particularly to museums that would be open to letting us look at their reserve collections...

I'd start with a list of topics your folks are interested in. Then I'd look around for local resources. Then I'd look around for experts, wherever they are.

I'm a big proponent of 'bring the instructor to you'. This has become even easier with the advent of cheap or free video conferencing. If it was me: I'd take the list, contact the experts, and ask if they are willing to do a video presentation for a group of people. Most will say no. Some will want a fee. If the group wants the fee lecturers, they raise the money. Otherwise, you organize the date and get everyone together to see the lecture from the expert. Dream big. Can't visit the British Museum? Ask the museum if they'll do a video tour for you. Find someone in the SCA local to the site who's willing to take your group on a video tour.

I'd suggest taking a study group attitude towards organizing matters. No one is expected to be an expert, everyone is expected to do independent research and share the results.

Good luck.

if you are going to the Higgins, also figure on (while you are on the East Coast)

The Met
The Cloisters
Phila Museum of Art.
And once you are that far south.. might as well hit the Smithsonian, too.

Next time I'm down in London I'll post a thread taking requests.

Trevor Have you been to the St. Louis Art Museum? They have some armor on display. The medieval art they exhibit tends to be more sculptural but I know they have a lot more period paintings in storage. I've never asked to see their out of the limelight. Their library staff has been super helpful.

SLAM is undergoing renovations and it might be better to wait until that's done and see what they choose to put in regular exhibits. At least one local SCA member works there now and might be able to give you the inside scoop on who to contact for a field trip.

Maeryk wrote:if you are going to the Higgins, also figure on (while you are on the East Coast)

The Met
The Cloisters
Phila Museum of Art.
And once you are that far south.. might as well hit the Smithsonian, too.

And a bit closer to the Higgins there is the Springfield Armory Museum, Plimoth Plantation, and Old Sturbridge Village along with numerous other museums.

There is also the Frazier Arms Museum in Louisville, KY.

http://www.fraziermuseum.org/exhibition ... armouries/

Maeryk wrote:And once you are that far south.. might as well hit the Smithsonian, too.

The National Gallery of art has some 16th century artifacts

I understand the Native American museum has 17th c armor from Jamestown but I have not made it there myself yet.

Thomas MacFinn wrote:There is also the Frazier Arms Museum in Louisville, KY.

http://www.fraziermuseum.org/exhibition ... armouries/

This.

Also while you are in the area also swing by the Patton Museum at FT Knox.

Thanks for all the tips, guys!