In Episode 4 of History Unloaded, Danny and I turn our attention to the world of gun collecting – not just individual pieces, but how museums build and become ultimately a collection of collections. We dig into how institutions acquire, vet, and integrate private collections; the curatorial and ethical challenges in absorbing major collections; and how those practices shape what visitors ultimately see.
We, of course, start with the Cody Firearms Museums history, but then dive into other museums such as the Smithsonian Institution. We even try to solve the question, “how many guns does one need to be considered a collection?”
New episodes are released every Wednesday on all major stream platforms, including Spotify, Apple, and Google.
History Unloaded is a podcast presented by the Cody Firearms Museum (CFM) and Wyoming Public Media. It’s hosted by former Curator of the CFM and Firearms Historian, Ashley Hlebinsky, and the current Curator of the CFM, Danny Michael. Each week, they discuss different historical topics surrounding firearms history, technology, culture, and museums.