Discussion Question: World View

Final Project: A City Museum

In the middle of California’s San Joaquin Valley, or better known as the Central Valley lies the city of Merced (Merced County, 2019). Merced is one the world’s leading regions for agricultural operations, which is probably why agricultural industries offer the most employment opportunities in and around Merced (Living in Merced County, 2019). Besides its agricultural qualities, Merced is also known for its ethnically/culturally diverse population of people; with roughly half of Merced’s population being white and the other half being either Hispanic, Asian, black, mixed, or some other race (Worldpopulationreview.com, 2019). Merced’s diversity has a major influence on recreational and cultural activities within the community (Quality of life, 2019). For instance, Merced has various types of dance classes for both children and adults; from hula dance and ballet to contemporary dance and tap dancing. Merced also features many parks; the Bear Creek bike path (that runs straight through Merced); an art museum, known as the Multicultural Arts Center; and the Merced Playhouse where shows and plays are put on for attending audiences. These are only some of the activities that are offered to Merced’s residents that are based on people’s cultural and ethnic differences.

According to the American Alliance of Museums (AAM, 2019), museums (in general) tell a story through the preserved artifacts they exhibit. All museums tell a different version of a story about the world and the cultural heritage of humankind (AAM, 2019). Aside from gaining an understanding of the times throughout history, museums can also influence the overall quality of life within an entire city through the emotions, wonder, and joy that observers develop as they take in the reality of what the world was, is, and could be.

In order to create an effective museum experience, it is important to take the surrounding region and its people into consideration when deciding on what the focus of a museum will be (Interdisciplinary perspectives in urban studies, n. d.). For instance, implementing an agricultural museum into the city of Merced may be an effective use for public space, as the museum would give residents insight into the agricultural processes that are responsible for building and maintaining their ever-growing city. This aspect alone would relate directly to the residents of Merced, especially those who were born and raised.

According to an article titled, ‘Merced County Agriculture’ (Norton, Castillo, Doll, & Stoddard, 2011), Merced has been known for top quality agricultural products, and are also partnered with other agricultural professionals around the world who are large investors and/or buyers of Merced’s commercial crops and/or other agricultural services (Norton, Castillo, Doll, and Stoddard, 2011). It is for this reason that an agricultural museum might appeal to non-residents as well; not only nation-wide, but even world-wide. Also, the agricultural industry is a main contributor to the flow of revenue and, as previously stated is also the number one employer in the entire Central Valley; in turn these aspects influence the overall economic health of the city (Norton, Castillo, Doll, & Stoddard, 2011). In other words, the city of Merced has been built and sustained by agricultural productivity; what better way to share the history of Merced than to implement an agricultural museum to teach and inspire, not only Mercedians but anyone who would like to gain insight into the birth of a city and its growth in California.

References Anon. (2019). Worldpopulationreview.com. Retrieved from http://worldpopulationreview.com/us-cities/merced-ca-population Diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion - American Alliance of Museums. (2019). Aam-us.org. Retrieved from https://www.aam-us.org/programs/diversity-equity-accessibility-and-inclusion/ Laureate Education (Producer). (n. d. - d.). Interdisciplinary perspectives in urban studies [Video file]. Baltimore, MD: Author Lim, S. (August 19, 2017). Merced County farmers organized 100 years ago | Merced Sun-Star. Retrieved from https://mercedsunstar.com/living/liv-columns-blogs/sarah-lim-museum-notes/article167843267.html Living in Merced, CA - Merced livability. (2019). Areavibes.com. Retrieved from https://www.areavibes.com/merced-ca/livability Living in Merced County | Merced County, CA – Official website. (2019). Co.merced.ca.us. Retrieved from https://www.co.merced.ca.us/1874/Living-in-Merced-County