Looking for a way to learn about art without leaving home? Go on a virtual tour of a museum!
Museums are an important part of a thriving community and a connection to the past. They represent the vitality of communities, both past and present, by bringing our collective heritage to life.
The human experience is on full display in galleries of museums all over the world. For centuries, museums have played a relevant role in the preservation of human history. The first known museum opened in the 3rd century BC at the University of Alexandria in Egypt.
Museums serve as a conduit to understanding civilization by providing us with a deeper perspective and context for our current societal issues. Like libraries, museums have a unique ability to bring people together of all ages and abilities. They are perfect places to find inspiration, to discover worlds once hidden or forgotten. But most of all, museums tell many stories about how our community, our country and our world evolved.
Many museums are offering virtual tours of their collections. You can stay home or just get a preview of what’s to expect for your next museum visit. Where, or when, will you go today?
Go on an interactive, virtual tour of artifacts at the British Museum from Africa, Asia, the Americas, Europe and Asia. Find out how each piece is connected to others. A brief description is included with artifacts to learn more about the origin, location and related objects from the same time period.
The Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History
Take a virtual tour of the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History starting with the Charles McGee sculpture at the entrance. Get a 360-degree panoramic view through each featured exhibit. Follow the arrows to proceed through the gallery. This virtual tour is unnarrated, but you’ll get a sense of what it’s like to walk through the exhibits.
Go on a virtual Art Walk at CPL and discover the variety of art pieces generously donated or commissioned for the library. Learn about each piece in many familiar spaces around our building. You might be surprised how much artwork we have. Can you find the oldest piece or the newly acquired one? Which one is your favorite?
The Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village is located in Dearborn, MI. It is the largest complex combining both historical and living collections in the US. Almost 100 historic buildings are arranged in a village setting. Founder and industrialist, Henry Ford, began collecting historical artifacts in 1906.
You can take virtual tours of Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation using the Google Maps technology. Each selection gives a 360-degree view of specific artifacts located within the museum.
"Inside the Glass Case" offers educational videos, survivor testimony, photos, lesson plans, and other resources that will engage, educate, and empower. The historic artifacts tell a story and give virtual visitors a deeper understanding of survival and hope during a dark time in history.
France’s most famous museum offers virtual tours of Petite Galleries available to peruse for free without a plane ticket to Paris. Follow the arrows to get a panoramic view of the galleries. Travel from the ancient world to the modern era. Descriptions, when present, are in French.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City
New York City is home to some of the nation’s finest museums, but the Metropolitan Museum of Art is a gem. It’s also the largest museum in the Western Hemisphere. The Met’s permanent collection contains over 2 million works of art. This virtual tour showcases some of the best artwork from around the world.
The Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam
Go on a virtual walk through the world of Vincent Van Gogh. Explore his masterpieces in the online collection, watch virtual tours on YouTube, and read about Van Gogh’s extraordinary life and work.
The Vatican Museum, Vatican City
Take a panoramic virtual tour of one of the world’s most visited museums in the world, the Vatican. The museums display the immense collection of priceless works of Catholic and Roman art dating back to 1506. Visit the grandeur of Raphael’s Rooms, the divine Sistine Chapel, or the breathtaking sculptures of the New Wing.
Add a comment to: Visit a Museum from Home