Reserves and Open Air

Museum reserves, sometimes called museum preserves, are whole territories that have been deemed historically important. Often, these are former aristocratic estates but can also be battlefields or fall into other categories. The museum reserve will often house architectural elements, outdoor and indoor displays, and other infrastructure. Much like a nature reserve, there are legal restrictions on the development and the use of the land devoted to the preserve. Open air museums are similar – with exhibits outside and often over a wide area – but not necessarily on land considered to be historically important.