Museum Mission & Background:
Founded in 2016 by Raina Wellman, the Museum of Apology provides a valuable resource to explore the complex issues, resolutions, and discoveries that arise due to the important social practice of apologizing, making amends, contrition, expressing regret, and excusing oneself.
Why did we begin? After witnessing a series of apologizes induced by various situations, our founder became fascinated by the personal and political nature of apology making. The act of saying sorry is deeply rooted in communities throughout history and the globe. It is evident in every day conversations and prevalent in pop culture creations. Perhaps it is the act of articulating some form of apology that unites humanity.
On Our Collections
The Museum of Apology maintains a permanent collection of pieces and writings relevant to the process of apologizing. Much of this collection is archived online and is viewable in our transitional space, apology display, special collections, and mailroom, as well as dispersed throughout the museum.
Our collection includes a record of many important and thought provoking apology letters, research into non-human animal apology/acknowledgement behavior, sorry cakes, vocal and physical documentation of genuinely delivered apologies, information on the non-apology (within personal and political relations), and apology artifacts.