American History: Is One Museum Enough?
source: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123440982777676075.html
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"Many compliments have greeted the National Museum of American History's $85 million architectural revamp, which created entry lobbies from the Mall and from Constitution Avenue, installed a grand glass staircase connecting the first and second floors, and added a welcome center and other amenities. So far, so good (though to me the $2.5 million, 40-by-19-foot silvery abstract "architectural representation of a waving flag" that frames the entrance to the Star-Spangled Banner gallery is a complete bust: It doesn't wave much, fades into the background and is barely recognizable as Old Glory).
But there remains the nagging question about what this, the national history museum, should be about. Is the subject political history, industrial history, scientific history, cultural history, sociological history, all of the above, or even more? A look around shows the obvious answer -- "even more." This lack of focus was criticized by a commission of experts in 2002, which also raised concerns about politically skewed interpretations and potential undue influence of private donors.
The renovation, which was unveiled late last November, isn't finished. Some spaces remain closed, with the openings of shows like "On the Water: Stories From Maritime America," "Stories on Money" and "Bitter Harvest: The Bracero Program" set for later this year. Some old exhibitions, like "The American Presidency: A Glorious Burden" and "The Price of Freedom: Americans at War," remain basically untouched. Still, based on the progress to date and the announced plans, the end result will not be the real national history museum American citizens and visitors deserve."
But there remains the nagging question about what this, the national history museum, should be about. Is the subject political history, industrial history, scientific history, cultural history, sociological history, all of the above, or even more? A look around shows the obvious answer -- "even more." This lack of focus was criticized by a commission of experts in 2002, which also raised concerns about politically skewed interpretations and potential undue influence of private donors.
The renovation, which was unveiled late last November, isn't finished. Some spaces remain closed, with the openings of shows like "On the Water: Stories From Maritime America," "Stories on Money" and "Bitter Harvest: The Bracero Program" set for later this year. Some old exhibitions, like "The American Presidency: A Glorious Burden" and "The Price of Freedom: Americans at War," remain basically untouched. Still, based on the progress to date and the announced plans, the end result will not be the real national history museum American citizens and visitors deserve."
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