Behind the Scenes: The Working Side of the Museum, 1928 | From the Vaults

[@TheOnlyDamien]

This is incredibly cool, thanks for sharing this! I wonder what that wheel they used when they entered the building was, I am assuming some kind of time card punch machine but I don't quite get how it works.

[@jimherrmann29]

It is a time clock. The National Museum of American History has an "International Dial Time Recorder Clock" that is very similar, and explains how it was used: americanhistory.si.edu/collections/search/object/nmah_856741

[@fausto2136]

it's amazing to think that the building still exists today

[@justinmcgonigle5587]

Loved it. Thank you!

[@dianeo]

Fascinating! Looking forward to more gems from the archives!

[@brylorbs69]

Thanks for posting this amazing, historic film! Would be great to have a narrator explaining how these various workers and their departments have changed over the years. I'm guessing, mostly outsourced?

[@markbass9402]

Sent out to China

[@shadowraith1]

A fascinating look at life 92 years ago at the Met. All those manual skills that we all took for granted back in the day. I wonder how many modern day restorers cringed when they viewed this. I also wonder how many of the items shown on this video you still have? Thank you.

[@markbass9402]

The modern day restorers cringe from shame. Not many can do what these folks did. We live in a different world these days.

[@soggendazs]

Cringe conservation techniques in hindsight, but glad to see that The Met has always vauled the folks behind the scenes!

[@michellezoe4596]

Interesting time clocks they had back then. Quite large! If that is indeed what they are😂

[@decnyc]

Wonderful! Have any of the artworks shown in the film been identified? Are any currently on view at the museum? Or on your website?

[@PerfectBiscuits]

Any chance you have a record of the workers featured in the film?

[@metmuseum]

Yes! Gisela Richter, Curator of Classical Art, approves the mounting of a marble head. Mr. Dickhuth and Mr. Milla are seen photographing artwork. The man who hoists the armor into the case is Jacob Merkert. The film editors are almost certainly Herbert M. Dawley, in Charge of Cinema Work, and Grace O. Clarke, Assistant in Charge of Cinema Work. The men designing and arranging the exhibit are Assistant Director and Curator of Decorative Arts, Joseph Breck; Mr. Brandon; and Preston Remington, who later became Assistant Curator. We hope that this helps, and many thanks for your interest.

[@PerfectBiscuits]

The Met thank you! Any chance you know the name of the man doing the sign painting and hand lettering?

[@markbass9402]

Now we just push buttons on keyboards and watch KZbin and CNN all day.

[@mekurri2007]

Great stuff bring them on, but as stated previously would be a 1000 times better with some commentary overdubbed on silent films from one or more Met staff/ interns etc. Cheers