How big can a small, regional association  dream?: What were the goals, pursuits, consequences and methods for the  projects and museum collection of the Overijssel Association for the Development of Provincial Prosperity between 1838-1852?

The establishment of the OVOPW (Overijsselsche Vereeniging tot Ontwikkeling van Provinciale Welvaart) in 1838 emerged during a transitional period for museums and collections in the Netherlands, from private collections to the foundation of national institutions. This reflected the broader European trend of using museums to create a national identity and establish power. The OVOPW, sought to preserve and promote regional identity, power, economical wealth and knowledge. The OVOPW had multiple motivations and goals during their first dozen years of existence, (1838-1852, researched here. They aimed to enhance the prosperity and prestige of the province of Overijssel by establishing a natural history, geological and anthropological collection. This collection not only represented the region’s flora and fauna but also served as a tool for education and a symbol of regional pride. They had the desire to make Zwolle on of the academic cities, to create the opportunity to educate and...Show moreThe establishment of the OVOPW (Overijsselsche Vereeniging tot Ontwikkeling van Provinciale Welvaart) in 1838 emerged during a transitional period for museums and collections in the Netherlands, from private collections to the foundation of national institutions. This reflected the broader European trend of using museums to create a national identity and establish power. The OVOPW, sought to preserve and promote regional identity, power, economical wealth and knowledge. The OVOPW had multiple motivations and goals during their first dozen years of existence, (1838-1852, researched here. They aimed to enhance the prosperity and prestige of the province of Overijssel by establishing a natural history, geological and anthropological collection. This collection not only represented the region’s flora and fauna but also served as a tool for education and a symbol of regional pride. They had the desire to make Zwolle on of the academic cities, to create the opportunity to educate and further the knowledge regarding natural history and geology outside of the already established academic cities. At the time, natural history and geology were not part of the educational system, and the OVOPW aimed to create an accurate collection, which could be used for local school to start teaching these subjects. The collection of the OVOPW aimed for a systematic scientific approaches, to create a complete and representative collection, but their method of acquisition was mainly donations, and economical restrictions appeared to have been more important that the collection methods of the donors. The collection therefor acclaimed to be ‘scientific’, by due to the lack of definition, science became the means and the end. This resulted in limited information regarding collected items, specifically anthropological items, which were anonymously donated with very limited, to no contextual data. Here, the archival records reveal significant gaps, particularly concerning the provenance of anthropological items in the collection, raising questions about the completeness and context of the OVOPW's records. Natural historical and geological items were accompanied by more information. These were most often donated by the amateur, individual donors, who had created the collection as a hobby. The OVOPW were in contact with other, established institutions as well, and these often exchanged duplicate items when possible. The OVOPW also engaged in broader economic and social projects, such as initiating a trade in furniture wood with Suriname and collaborating with various national and international institutions. These efforts underscore the association’s broad ambitions and its integration into wider networks of knowledge and commerce, despite its regional focus. The OVOPW’s collection practices and its place within the national museum landscape of the 19th century offer valuable insights into the dynamics of regional and national identity formation, the development of museum practices, and the interplay between local and national institutions. This case study highlights the importance of small regional organizations in shaping the museum and academic landscapes of their time, suggesting the need for further research into similar organizations to fully understand the provenance and context of museum collections today.Show less

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How big can a small, regional association dream? What were the goals, pursuits, consequences and methods for the projects and museum collection of the Overijssel Association for the Development of Provincial Prosperity between 1838-1852?