Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #652417 in Books
• Published on: 1980-02
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 370 pages

Customer Reviews

Book Overview
Mr. Peale's Museum is an interesting book, for those interested in the history of the museum and its exhibits; not necessarily a history of the man. Charles Coleman Sellers gives a brief description of Charles Willson Peale's life, and the lives of his children, but the book, as implied by the title, is about Mr. Peale's museum. Details of the most famous exhibits, and how the museum itself came about, are given in the book; discussing such things as Dr. John Morgan's mastodon bones to the admission costs of patrons. The history discussed is important in relation to the times, because it involved so many famous Americans, like Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, and George Washington, and how they helped Mr. Peale to create his museum and its world famous exhibits. From this story the reader can gain a better appreciation for the museum, and the work it took to keep it open for so long. Peale's museum was his passion and his life's work; a tribute to nature and an innovative way of life. This book seems a bit dry at the start, but for all those history buffs out there, it is perfect; intertwining the lives of so many familiar people and still keeping with the history and tradition of Mr. Peale's museum.

Wait, what am I reading about again?
Starting this book, one would expect to learn about Charles Peale and his life. Instead the entire book focuses mainly on the beginnings of Peale's museum and even its success after his death. If you're looking for a book about Charles Peale's personal and social life, this isn't the book you would want to read. It's an interesting read, with a good overview of the real difficulties and challenges that Peale had to go through while starting up his new business. Even with the economic hardships, lack of funds, and competition Peale was still able to keep his wonder museum open and eventually planned to build an extension to it. While the first half of the book focuses on the beginnings of the Peale Museum, the second half goes through the competition between the Peale family itself as to who will run the place after Charles's retirement and eventual death. It's understandable why the author was compelled to write this story of the Peale family and their museum considering they went through almost impossible odds to keep their museum from falling apart. However, even with the great facts and wonderful writing to take you back in history, the book is quite wordy and can drag on at some points.