A Small problem at the Smithsonian

This morning I was reading this article, and it really upset me. Not just because some jerk was allowed to come into a museum, a source of public knowledge, and abuse it for his own material gain, but because he was allowed to get away with it because there was no method of watching over his spending. That's absolutely outrageous, when it comes to spending as much money as he did.



A key point in the article is this 55 page report that I'm going to try to track down, and it includes "a new rule that prohibits staff members from serving on corporate board". No... really? I understand the quest to earn as much money as possible in a lifetime (well, sort of), but to take a position on a board that would call into question not only ethics but level of commitment is outrageous. This is what I will go to graduate school for, this is what I will train to do. It will be a job. There is a world of difference between moonlighting and serving a for-profit company that conflicts with non-profit interests.

A point that I'm confused about in the article is the complaints about the former director's deal with Showtime to create Smithsonian programming, so stay tuned, I'm going to look into that.

But the Smithsonian's annual budget is $700 million. Contrastingly, the museum I work for up here (granted, a small town historical society) makes it work with less than $100,000 in grants each year, constantly dipping into reserve funds. Are they a worse museum for it? Doubtful. I'd say it's more a matter of dedication. Yes, the director of the Smithsonian deserves to be compensated for his traveling and work-related entertainment expenses. But a house? Transport on a private jet? Get real.

A job like this should be done for the love of it - not for the ease of the scam or the contacts you'll make. Good riddance, Small, and clear the way for those of us who will love what we do.

Coming home

Tonight I spent some quality time with kids I haven't seen since I left middle school (and never looked back) - about 7 years ago. It was interesting, considering they only know me as that girl in 8th grade who was pretty smart and not ashamed of it. It was definitely weird being around people that only knew the 14-year-old version of me.

That's why I'm grateful for my family - which I was remind of because it's Father's Day... my family knows me better than most people I know - and that's so important to me. They're proud of me and they know what I've accomplished and what I ambition to do, and knowing those two things tells them so much about me - and that they care is amazing.

Now that's a mountain to climb...

I stumbled upon this while reading this morning, and it's something I just have to share. I'm reading "1776" by David McCullough, and early in the book he discusses the different maps created by the Continental Army and the British while the British were under seige in Boston.

According to McCullough, "All fortifications were clearly marked, all landmarks neatly labeled, including 'Mount Whoredom', Boston's red light district."

(To semi-properly footnote, that's on page 27.)

Becoming unboring

It's no secret to most people who know me that I really really love museums. A lot. In fact, the highlight of my trips around Europe were frequently museums (or cathedrals or ruins, but the basic idea is the same). On the other hand, there are plenty of people (kids and adults) who start yawning at the very mention of visiting a historical site or (God forbid) actual museum.

I'm not including science museums in this generalization. Science museums have this added bonus of being very visual, very hands-on, and that attracts all sorts of people. The challenge facing art and history museums and sites is entertaining someone with something that isn't inherently dynamic.

My internship in London was at a site that used both its historical prowess (it was built in 1775) and its innovativeness (add an ice rink to digital exhibitions and what do you get?) to create what I feel is something much more than a gallery or museum. Visiting was much more of an experience, much more active than simply viewing or reading.

It's plainly obvious that museum attendance will suffer with the advent of Wikipedia and other online resources. Why would you need a museum when the information is at your fingertips? The answer to that question comes with changing the very foundation of what museums appear to be. They are not merely collections of objects - they are places that have an opportunity to tell an audience the story of the past, the lessons learned, the hows, whos, and whys of what made us... us.

Museums have to step up into the multimedia age and deliver an experience, but they can't forget why they are so unique - the access they have to these stories and their related artifacts is unmatched by any Wikipedia article.

I promise this blog isn't going to be all about my thoughts on museums and public history - but it is good food for thought!

Starting Over

Now that I've been back from London for over a month, I decided it was time to retire my London blog and move on. I was told recently that I look, sound, and act just like a kid from New Jersey.

(This is true)

So I'm keeping with my theme. No matter where I am, I'm identified as a "Jersey Girl", and I'm okay with that. The label followed me as far as Italy, where a waiter in an osteria referred to me as "Jersey" all night. It's been with me even growing up on the Jersey shore, where family and friends refer to me as the "Ultimate Jersey Girl".

I'll take it.

This summer I'm living in Ithaca, New York, working and enjoying the rural-ish lifestyle. It's a welcome break from hectic summers at the shore, where tourists are under the impression that they own the place (they rent. we own.) and traffic backs up for miles. Life in Ithaca is relaxing - I can bike almost anywhere, and swimming under a waterfall can be a daily occurrence. Nevertheless, regardless of where I spend my summer, my semesters abroad, and where I go when I graduate, I know I'll always be a Jersey Girl.