Inclusive History:How City Museums Adapt to Significant Demographic Changes in their Communities

City museums and local history museums are responsible for collecting, preserving, interpreting, exhibiting, and centering programs on the growth and change of their cities. This research study examines the methods museums use to respond to significant shifts in the ethnic demographics of their city, and how these changes are reflected in their collecting policy and practices, interpretation of artifacts and archival materials, exhibits, and programs. My research is divided into three components that when combined provide insight on the ways museums have adapted to shifts in the ethnic demographics of their communities, and strategies that can be used to begin or continue to adapt today. I begin by analyzing how objects, interpretation and voice, and the political nature of museums (from their inception to today) inform their purpose and impact the execution of that purpose. Building on this foundation I expand on the research through an applied hands-on case study conducted at a local city museum. I examine the museum’s history of inclusiveness as a reflection of its collecting policy and practice, exhibits, and programs, and also determine the attitudes of museum leadership and active community members towards common museum practices for inclusion and participation through surveys and a focus group. My hope is that the information gathered in this study will help museums critically reflect on institutional bias and the inherent power of their spaces. By finding ways to form and nurture authentic relationships with members in their communities, museums can co-create spaces where identity is negotiated and people have access to the resources they need to become empowered.