Speaking of ghosts, I spent all weekend in Harpers Ferry. Such a cool place! The stories I heard there were much better than those on this site, but they’re for another time.
Yesterday for work I was reading up a lot on the Smithsonian Institution. Many people who haven’t been to Washington don’t realize that saying “the Smithsonian” actually refers to a complex of 18 museums, the zoo, and a bunch of laboratories and research facilities across the country. I think the Smithsonian owns or leases over 600 buildings. In DC alone, there are 12 museums, a zoo, and the visitor’s center.
All this infrastructure needs a LOT of money and manpower to keep up. And, contrary to popular belief, our tax dollars do NOT pay for it all. Each year the Smithsonian submits a budget request to Congress for the next year’s expenses, but Congress doesn’t have to approve the whole amount. Also, if SI needs any emergency funds for whatever reason, they’re not easy (if not impossible) to come by.
The Arts and Industries building on the National Mall has been closed for years and there are no plans to open it back up. The roof and ceiling are in such bad shape that pieces starting falling off. After a big snow storm a few years ago that collapsed the roof of two other buildings (one in DC and one in Baltimore) that were built around the same time with the same techniques, SI had to permanently close the A&I. The exhibits that were there were moved to the American History Museum, on the other side of the Mall (most people remember Archie Bunker’s chair, Kermit the Frog, Dorothy’s ruby red slippers, the Fonz’s jacket, Oscar the Grouch, Seinfeld’s puffy shirt, etc.). Unfortunately, that museum has recently been shut for restoration and ceiling work as well, but will hopefully open again in 2 years. The American Art Museum and Portrait Gallery just reopened last summer after being shut for several years for the same reason.
To me, it’s just horrible to have such an important bastion of culture, history, and learning fall into ruin. So I give a little money there each year, and, in return, they send me a cool planner and a subscription to Smithsonian Magazine (awesome)! I also get discounts on any of their lectures or classes or trips.
It’s not like I have a ton of money to spare—I cut it pretty close as it is—but this is something that’s important to me and I like to not only support it, but also to encourage other people to do the same. Even if you don’t live in DC, you’re likely to visit it at some point and enjoy the Smithsonian then. And where else would we store all of these American artifacts and knowledge? Before the Smithsonian, I donated more to Planned Parenthood and NARAL, as mentioned earlier. What do you donate to? Is there something you save money for? Something you contribute to or support in some other way? It's just money, after all.
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2 comments:
The Smithsonian Institution is, at the risk of sounding really pithy, a national treasure. I have only visited Washington three times and spent a matter of hours in the various museums, but I was so impressed! My grandparents give to the Smithsonian and receive the magazine and catalogue of Smithsonian museum shop goodies. I grew up playing a Smithsonian BOARD GAME. Ridiculous, but in a good way.
What a worthy cause.
The SI should be treated with more respect; it seems like it's the showpiece of American intellect and culture.
If you Ctrl+F "Smithsonian" on the following article you get a bit of insight into part of what's wrong. The money wasted isn't enough to fix the problems, but it shows the level of respect it's given even from within: here
Yes, it's an ESPN article but the author is not primarily a sports writer.
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