about her book after a short introduction to the works she will be joining conversation with sarah giorgione. this examines the history of american museums in the 19th century to the eyes of visitors and collectors. museums of this period held a wide range of objects from botanical and -- specimens to antiquarian artifacts and technological models. they were intended to promote useful knowledge. the collections create better discussions about how objects are selected, preserving classified and who gets to decide their value. these reflections shape broader discussions about museum in american culture and continue to resonate today. i reed gochberg is the assistant director of studies in a lecture on history and literature in harvard university. she has seminars and -- museums and material culture and science exploration and empire. her research in teaching focused on 19th century american literature and culture with interest in material country culture and museum studies in the history of science and technology. c received her ph.d. in english from boston university and her undergrad from ha