Men and Women: Do They Experience Exhibits Differently?

This paper discusses two evaluations conducted by the National Museum of American History for two prototype exhibits: "Commerce and Conflict: The English in Virginia, 1625" and "Kiva, Cross, and Crown at Pecos Pueblo." Each exhibit was an experimental archaeological exhibit and was a prototype for a larger exhibit, "American Encounters 1492-1992." In particular, this paper focuses on data that implies objects have power, and that the power of the objects is created by those who look at them. The author discusses the the power of the objects from a male and female perspective.