Chinese American Museum

The Chinese American Museum, located in the Garnier Building in the Pueblo de Los Angeles Historical Monument area in downtown LA,  is a compact collection of artifacts chronicling the experience of Chinese immigrants to the United States.  Appropriately, the building is a remnant of the original Chinatown in Los Angeles, before it was moved in the 1930s to make room for Union Station.

Visitors find a desk rather than a ticket booth in the entry; instead of a set ticket price, the museum asks for a suggested donation.  The remainder of the first floor features a timeline along one wall.  Visitors can follow major events affecting China and the United States, with an emphasis on how those events influence relations and immigration patterns between the two countries.  Small bowls of rice are placed at intervals along the timeline--the bowls represent the number of Chinese living in the United States, and grow from a few grains of rice to an overflowing bowl by the end.  Visitors learn about the Chinese Exclusion Act and other important milestones in the story of Chinese immigration.

To emphasize the nature of the immigrant experience, one exhibit features a huge stack of vintage luggage.  Visitors are asked, "What would you bring?" as they see examples of what a family might consider valuable enough to pack for a long and permanent voyage. 

Smaller exhibits cover personal stories.  One displays artifacts from a "Paper Son," one of many young boys whose identities were changed to enable them to immigrate as the son of another family.

One room is designed to replicate an area of Angel Island, the entrance point for most Chinese immigrants to California in the first half of the 20th Century, and displays pictures and memorabilia.  Another re-creates a Chinese Herb Store; near the counter, exhibits designed to look like bins and shelves open to displays comparing modern medical cures and medicines with traditional Chinese treatments.

The top floor carries temporary exhibits.  When we visited in the summer of 2011, this area featured a display of art entitled Dreams Deferred: Artists Respond to Immigration Reform, which is advertised through December 2011.  The artwork here--modern protest posters and similar works--was interesting, but seemed out of sync with the rest of the museum.  For some reason, the lighting was darker on this upper floor, making the disconnect more noticeable.

The museum offers an interesting, informative look at one thread of LA's multicultural quilt.  A visit will run roughly an hour, so it fits in well with a trip to the Pueblo area for tourists or native Angelenos.

From the museum website:

ADDRESS

425 N. Los Angeles Street
Los Angeles, CA 90012
(The cross street is Arcadia)

Contact Information

Museum Front Desk: (213) 485-8567

Hours 

Tuesday – Sunday, 10am – 3pm.
Closed on Mondays and the following holidays:
Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day

Suggested Admission

Adults - $3.00
Seniors (60 and over) - $2.00
Students (with ID) - $2.00
Museum Members – Free

WHEELCHAIR ACCESS

All exhibits are accessible for wheelchairs.

 

Museum Day, Saturday September 24th

 Museum Day, sponsored by the Smithsonian Magazine, is coming up again.  Visit the site to see which museums are participating.

"California Museums Can Help California Schools"

Just read a new post by John H. Eger on Huffington Post about a new initiative to bring museums, schools, and libraries into a closer partnership to improve education:

The Institute for Museums and Library Services (IMLS), which serves as the primary source of federal support for the nation's 123,000 libraries and 17,500 museums, launched a "21st century skills" initiative assessment tool worth looking at. 

 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 


The IMLS said it all and said it best in their report. "The relationship between libraries, museums, and their communities is at a critical intersection. There has never been a greater need for libraries and museums to work with other organizations in effectively serving our communities; there has never been a more rapid period of change affecting museums, libraries, and their communities; and there has never been a more challenging period of economic dislocation facing the people in our communities. "

 Sounds like a worthwhile idea.  Hope to see more on this.

Grand Canyon Museums

We visited 3 of the museums located at the Grand Canyon.  Kolb's Photography Studio, perched on the edge of the rim, chronicles the work of the Kolb brothers, pioneer photographers of the Grand Canyon.  The entrance to this museum brings visitors straight to the gift shop; in the back of the shop, a large picture window opens up a perfect view of the canyon.  Small alcoves also feature photographic equipment from the Kolb brothers' era, along with some of their prints and photos of their customers.

View of basement floor from top of stairs

Downstairs, visitors find a more comprehensive archeological and natural history museum.  Pottery, photos of archeological sites, and information about the early inhabitants of the canyon cover the robin's-egg-blue walls.  In one corner, a small screen can be started to play video footage of the Grand Canyon

The room seems to double as a sort of community center; when the wind made it impossible for  for the rangers to present their informative talk on condor re-introduction in the Grand Canyon, they moved it to this room.

From the National Park Service website:

Visit the free art exhibits in the auditorium, and shop in the bookstore. 
 Kolb Studio is located in the Village Historic District at the Bright Angel trailhead.
Open daily 8:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Tusayan Museum

Artifact display inside museum

The Tusayan Museum building was small, but the most interesting part of the collection was outside.  The inside was fairly dark and intimate, and had exhibits featuring artifacts and timelines, but several trails on the grounds of the museum provided a first-hand look at the types of habitats, food, and activities of the early inhabitants.  The trail makes a pleasant walk, and the posted signs explain the significance of the surroundings and the reconstructed gathering places for the early inhabitants.

From the National Park Service Website:

The Tusayan Museum  is open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and is located 3 miles (5 km) west of Desert View.

Free admission.

 

Yavapai Geology Museum

 The Yavapai Geology Museum is the largest of the museums we visited here.Originally an observation station, it still features a back wall devoted to views of the Grand Canyon.  In 2007, the building was opened as a museum dedicated to geology.  Visual and interactive exhibits explain geological formations and the concept of "deep time" to help visitors understand the magnitude of the time it takes for geological formations to develop and change.

Cutaway view of the South Rim wall

Another exhibit covers the contributions of scientists and naturalists who explored and studied the geology of the area.  The central exhibit, the geological wall, seems to be featured in all the news stories and reviews of the museum.  Visitors can look at the cutaway representation of the geological layers from several different angles to get a clearer understanding of how the walls of the canyon were formed.  

One of the observation windows features a quotation from President Theodore Roosevelt etched in the glass:

"Do nothing to mar its grandeur, for the ages have been at work upon it.  Keep it for your children, your children's children, and all who come after you."

The Yavapai Geology museum is open daily 8:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Does the Smithsonian have the right to charge for use of its images?

Currently, the Smithsonian (which celebrated its 165th birthday on August 10th) charges fees for any reproduction or use of  images from its collections.  Carl Malamud of Sebastapol, CA, argues that it doesn't have the authority to do so, since government agencies are not allowed to copyright work produced with public money.

Malamud thinks Americans should have similarly free access to reproduce, alter and distribute public-domain images found in the Smithsonian's collection.

“They have these wonderful collections that any teacher should be able to use, or any filmmaker, or any small business,” he said. “It would help spur education, economic activity, and it's just the right thing to do.”

So Malamud went to Washington last week where he met with lawmakers to discuss the issue.

 Teachers and students are among those expected to pay  for using images from the Smithsonian collection for reports and class plans.  If Malamud succeeds, the images will be available free of charge for everyone.

Museum of You--On Facebook

Intel has an app for Facebook that will take all your photos and friends and set up a "Museum of You."

You'll have to allow them to access all your photos and your friend list, but if you don't mind doing that, it's a fun way to kill some time.  It's also interesting to see what kinds of assumptions it makes about what a museum is and does.

Math Museum Planned

MoMath (Museum of Mathematics) is scheduled to open in New York City in 2012.

According to the press release, it will be the only US museum devoted exclusively to mathematics:

 Among other things, the museum will explore math's connections to art, science and finance.

Getting physical will be part of the equation. One activity will let visitors ride tricycles with square wheels along a track with curving terrain.

In all, about 50 interactive activities will demonstrate that math is a collaborative process.

 
Math Midway--a traveling exhibition produced by MoMath creators, is currently on tour.  Check for dates and cities.

The Florida Holocaust Museum

According to Wikipedia, the U.S. alone has dozens of  museums dedicated to the Holocaust.  The Musuem of the Holocaust on the National Mall in D.C. is awe-inspiring, in the old fashioned sense of the word.  Smaller cities, however, can offer a more intimate, personal experience.  The Florida Holocaust Museum provides just such an experience.

I arrived late on a Thursday afternoon during a rainstorm, so the museum was relatively uncrowded.  The docent at the ticket office was very helpful, offering me towels to dry off and giving helpful tips on viewing the museum.  There is a new take on the now-common headphone tours--here, visitors are issued a little talking-stick on a lanyard.  Punch in the numbers corresponding to the exhibits, hold the cell-phone like device to your ear, and you'll get information on the exhibit.  I'll have to say I'm not a fan of either headphones or these devices; I would rather read information than hear it, but for those who prefer hearing, these devices offered a little more flexibility than headphones.

The first floor began with a timeline exhibit chronicling anti-Semitism in Europe from the middle ages onward.  The next area featured photographs and stories detailing Jewish life, culture, and business in 1930s Europe.

Another timeline exhibit follows the events building up to the Nazi takeover.  One exhibit describes the rise of pseudo-science of "ethnic purity" and other ideological building blocks of Nazi political power.  Exhibits also follow the increasingly restrictive laws and the initial international responses to the Nazi rise to power, including quotes by Chamberlain and Avery Brundage, head of the Olympic Committee during the infamous Berlin Olympics.  One kiosk exhibit covers the St. Louis Voyage of the Damned, and traces the fate of its passengers.

The exhibits also cover the camps themselves, and the museum has one of the original transport boxcars on display.  This section is one point where I was grateful to be away from crowds; the material here cries for quiet reflection and an unhurried atmosphere.  There is even a small chapel-like Mourner's Corner with a quiet memorial for visitors in this area.

The information on resistance and post-Holocaust Europe provided an interesting perspective.  One exhibit charts weddings in the "Displaced Persons" refugee camps (20 per day!) and, later, births.  Another area features pictures, biographies, and quotes from rescuers, from the relatively well-known (Sugihara, Wallenberg) to dozens of others I'd never heard of.

Closer to home, another area provides a running count of victims of genocides since 1945, and a photo exhibit shows examples of Jim Crowe era racism in Florida.

The second floor of the museum is devoted to artistic interpretations of the museum's major themes.  In March 2011, the featured artist was Richard Notkin, whose provocative, disturbing ceramic images provided a fitting artistic complement to the material downstairs.

Back on the main exhibit floor, the gift shop features several books, posters, and prints.  Outside the bookstore, a "Wall of Quotes" features quotations from Psalm 48, the Declaration of Independence, Margaret Mead, Edmund Burke, and others.  One last touch--a basketball signed by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar donated to the museum during his appearance there in 2009.

From the museum website:

55 5th Street South

Saint Petersburg, FL 33701

  

Hours of Operation

Open Daily:  10:00 am - 5:00 pm (Last admission is taken at 3:30 pm)

Thursday:  Open 10:00 am - 8:00 pm (Last admission is taken at 7:00 pm)

Note:  The Museum closes at 2:00 pm on erev Rosh Hashana

The Florida Holocaust Museum is closed on the following holidays:

Rosh HaShanah

Yom Kippur

Thanksgiving

Christmas

New Year's Day

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

Admission Prices

• Adults - $14
• Seniors (65+) - $12
• College students - $10
• Students under 18 - $8 (general visitors)
• Student groups - $7
• Adult groups - $9
• Free Admission: Military, FHM members, USF students with ID, children 6 and under
• AAA members receive $1 off General Adult Admission

"The Spirit of Sharing: Is Social Media Changing Museums?"

From the New York Times last month--an article by Carol Vogel on how museums are building a presence online.  Museum websites are offering much more than visitor information on operating hours and ticket prices.  The websites themselves offer participatory experiences and chances to submit feedback on collections and operations.  For example, "At the Indianapolis Museum of Art, Web users can track its endowment, its membership, the number of visitors it had that day and even how much energy it is using," and "The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Web site has a new attraction called “Connections,”where behind-the-scene staff members — including an educator and a media producer — talk about their favorite works in the collection. “It’s a balance between personal and scholarly voices,” said Erin Coburn, the chief officer of digital media at the Met." 

National Museum of the American Indian--National Mall

The National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, D.C., is another fairly new addition to the National Mall, having opened in 2004.  The entrance to the museum is stunning--a round atrium with seating, an invitation to sit and reflect.  The museum is billed as the only national museum dedicated to Native American culture.  One of the goals of the museum seems to be to dispel old misconceptions about a generic "Indian;" the man exhibit hall provides an almost overwhelming  array of exhibits for different nations.  Each exhibit has an entryway into an enclosed pathway and features art, history, artifacts, and current images.  As noteworthy as this attempt is, I'll have to say that after following the first few paths, the differences blurred; certainly, I retained the awareness of distinct cultures, but the particulars were lost.

Exhibit hall

At the center of this room, interactive and audio/visual exhibits told stories of various religions and creation myths. These exhibits will hold the interest of school-aged children more than the pathway/still exhibits.

The museum makes its mission transparent; text throughout the exhibits and in other printed material points out the need to bring the Native American voice to the forefront in displaying Native stories.  Edward Rothstein, reviewing the opening of the museum in 2004, notes

the museum will advocate not just for artifacts but also for the living cultures that once created them. Most museums invoke the past to give shape to the present; here the interests of the present will be used to shape the past. And that makes all the difference.  . . . Indians would tell their own stories; no outside anthropologists would intrude. The objects would even be available for ritual tribal use.

 Rothstein, however, goes on to lament the complete dismissal of scholarship and interpretation.  A more rigorous attention to academic details might, indeed, make for a more visitor-friendly organization and differentiation between the hundreds of tribal nations represented.

Creation Mural

 The museum also displays contemporary artwork throughout, and some of these provide quite striking focal points.  It was difficult to get a picture of the Creation Mural, as visitors invariably stopped and studied it as they passed.  Near the cafe, a modern weaving project featuring the jerseys of NBA greats Bryant and Iverson also piqued interest.

From "Song for the Horse Nation" exhibit

     The museum features two theaters, the Rasmusen and the Lelawi, with scheduled productions.  We did not have the chance to attend the Rasmusen, but we did make it to the show at the Lelawi, which was set up to simulate a small outdoor theater.  We watched a film that covered some of the background of the museum's philosophy on displaying and celebrating the Native American cultures.

 The museum's restaurant, the Mitsitam Cafe,  proved to be another key attraction.  Set up food-court style, the cafe's stations serve foods indigenous to several different areas and tribes; unless you've already made a point of researching Native American menus, you are certain to find something here that you've never tried before, and the food was quite good.  You'll definitely want to time your visit so that you can enjoy a meal here.

The gift shops continue the emphasis on contemporary craft and education; you'll find t-shirts and caps, but the stock is weighted toward more artisanal objects, such as pottery and jewelry.  For children, the Roanoke shop offers books and educational toys.

 So, like all large museums, this one requires time and perhaps some focus.  Choose areas or topics that you or your children are particularly interested in, and spend time on these exhibits.  Try dividing your time at the museum with a lunch break and some time in the quiet area of the atrium, so you'll be refreshed as you make your way through the busier exhibits.

Huichol Art on Wheels exhibit

From the museum website:

Fourth Street & Independence Ave., S.W.
Washington, DC 20560
202-633-1000

HOURS10 AM–5:30 PM daily; closed December 25. (Exhibition spaces, café, and stores begin closing at 5:15 PM)
ADMISSION Admission is free, and the building is fully accessible.

 

"The Only African American Firefighter Museum in the U.S."

I came across this review on The Huffington Post by Ashley Michelle Williams, a senior at USC.  I'll have to put it on my list of museums to visit this summer.

From her review:

Visitors will most likely meet 92-year-old retired firefighter Arnett Hartsfield. Hartsfield is so enthusiastic and lively. It is quite surprising to meet someone who has given so much to society throughout his entire life and yet still keeps giving.
.....................................................

According to the museum's website, Hartsfield was a Los Angeles firefighter during the 1940s and 50's. He led the integration of the Los Angeles Fire Department. As a graduate of USC's law school, he and his fellow firemen known as the Stentorians, the NAACP and the local community, were instrumental in successfully integrating the LAFD.

 Hartsfield is featured on the image display on the museum's website, where you can also follow a virtual tour.

From the museum's website:

1401 S Central Ave Los Angeles, CA 90021-2607 Phone: 213 744-1730

We are open on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10am to 2pm and Sundays from 1pm to 4pm. We are closed on holidays.

Our admission is free for groups or individuals that have less then 10 people in their party.
Groups consisting of 11-25 people we request a $50.00 donation for a group tour.
Groups of 26-50 we request a $75.00 donation
Groups of 51 and over we request a $100. donation.
All small children must be accompanied by an adult and supervised at all times.

Groups requesting tours must contact our office via email at aaffmuseum@sbcglobal.net.
Please indicate the date and time of your requested tour and the amount of people you intend to bring.

Newseum, Washington D.C.

The Newseum in Washington, D.C.bills itself as "D.C.'s most interactive museum."  It's probably the newest addition to D.C.'s tourist scene, having opened in April of 2008.  The museum celebrates the 1st Amendment, beginning with the building itself, which enshrines the amendment on the front.  Exhibits throughout highlight struggles over freedom of the press,  from a memorial to reporters killed on the job to a display on free press issues in high schools. It's a huge museum, several stories high with a giant screen visible from each floor displaying the day's news.  It's easily a day long experience for a family.  We started on the first floor, with several viewing rooms for short films.

Section of Berlin Wall

Two centerpiece exhibits are the Berlin Wall and the a broadcasting tower from the 9/11 wreckage.  Behind the Berlin Wall--which is oddly beautiful, and a favorite for photo backgrounds here--a recreation of Checkpoint Charlie reminds visitors of the grim costs of this Cold War relic.

The 9/11 area includes a viewing station with images taken by Bill Biggart, a photographer who was killed in the attack, along with a brief biography and tribute.

 An exhibit on the FBI proves interesting, although it's not quite clear why this is part of a News Museum; certainly the news covered the FBI operations chronicled here, but the connection isn't obvious.  One of the main attractions here is the Unabomber's cabin; other artifacts include mementos from the FBI's fight against the Klan, and other famous operations.

Tabloid headlines

On a lighter note, other exhibits show a sense of humor.  The museum includes a collection of sensationalist tabloid headlines, and clips from news parody shows, starting with Saturday Night Live's "Weekend Update."  Even the bathrooms are fun; tiles on the walls quote from a collection of headline gaffes.

Sports fans will find something here too, as one of the viewing rooms covers great moments in sports broadcast history, and an exhibit of some of the best examples of sports photography, along with notes from the photographers, continues the theme.

Interactive exhibit on milestones in free speech.

Several expansive rooms have interactive alcoves where visitors can create their own news clips--a favorite with school-aged kids.  Huge archival sections provide samples from historical newspapers in wide pull-out drawers.  And the Newseum doesn't shy away from current controversies over the state of news itself.  One display--"Who Controls the News"--looks at the concern raised by media consolidation.  Another discusses the future of newsmedia and journalism on the internet.

View of Capitol from terrace

The terrace on the top floor has become a favorite for family photographs, and for good reason.  Bring a good camera and enlist the help of one of the friendly docents or a fellow tourist and you can get a much better shot of the family with the Capitol building in the background than you will anywhere near the Capitol itself.  You can definitely take care of the holiday card picture with this one.





The Pulitzer Photograph Gallery will seem like a walk through a familiar photo album.  Many of the images here bring a start of recognition--the starving child watched by a vulture,  the shooting at Kent State, the Vietnamese child fleeing after a napalm attack, the Oklahoma firefighter cradling a baby after the bombing, raising the flag at Iwo Jima.   A viewing room in the center shows interviews with some of the photographers whose work is featured.  

Finally, the Newseum has several gift shops.  Mugs seem to be a favorite here, and plenty of t-shirts.  Writing implements are also popular, along with tote bags.  You can find pretty much any quotation about freedom of the press, journalism, or reporters on a shirt, poster, or mug.  You'll definitely find interesting items beyond the usual tourist images of D.C. here.

So, plan on spending a while here--the museum offers a 2-day pass, and that might be a good idea.  Take time to reflect on the images and ideas here.  Stay for lunch at the food court --featuring Wolfgang Puck cuisine.  And get lots of great pictures--the Newseum allows photography throughout the galleries and exhibits.

From the museum website:

Hours of Operation
The Newseum is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily and is closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day.

  

General Admission

Good for admission on two consecutive days. Tickets may also be purchased at the Newseum's ticketing kiosks and admissions desk.

Military and student tickets can only be purchased on site. Valid ID is required.

Family Four Pack (two adults and two youth visitors)
$49.95 plus tax
Family Four Pack tickets are available only at the admissions desk.

Adults (19 to 64)
$21.95 plus tax

Seniors (65+), military and students with valid ID
$17.95 plus tax

Youth (7 to 18)
$12.95 plus tax

Children (6 and younger)
Free

 You may also purchase tickets in advance.

Grammy Museum, Los Angeles

The Grammy Museum, squeezed into LA LIVE half a block from Staples Center, makes the most of a small amount of space.  Visitors enter into a small foyer on the ground floor; the only exhibit here is Janis Joplin's car.  Signs warn that photography isn't allowed inside at all, which is a shame, because everyone here wanted to take pictures next to the car!  You can check your coat or bags here, and an attendant/elevator operator will send you directly to the 4th floor to begin the tour.

The main exhibit area begins with an interactive touch device called the Crossroads (there are several, so you shouldn't have to wait for one) which is designed to teach visitors about the links and influences between various genres of music.  If you touch "Country," for example, you will get images of different sub-genres of music that influenced, or were influenced by, Country music.

The next room carries on this idea; individual booths showcase different genres.  Visitors can sit inside the booths and watch videos of performances or retrospectives.  The outsides of the booths have the usual artifacts--instruments, costumes, posters, etc.  It is interesting to note that classical music is also included here; this is primarily a pop music museum, but it gives a nod to all genres that are included in the Grammy awards. Near the back of the room, more interactive screens focus on geography, as visitors can click on an area of the United States and find a quick audio/visual history of pop music associated with that city or state. Interactive exhibits, in fact, continue throughout the museum, so this is a great place to take older school aged kids who are interested in music.

When we visited in January of 2011, the featured traveling exhibit was the John Lennon: Songwriter exhibition.  The most striking feature of the exhibit was the listening/viewing room--I assume this feature remains and is used for all special exhibits.  It's a great place to sit and rest and take in the video display.

Visitors continue down to the lower floors for exhibits on the Grammy awards show itself.  Jennifer Lopez's famous green dress is on display here, along with a few other notable outfits.  Since the museum is only  three years old, I assume this collection will grow in future years.  A screen behind the display plays performances from Grammy broadcasts.  Tucked away in one corner we found an exhibit on the Latin Grammys, complete with instruments and headphones, and a video screen showing clips from the Latin Grammy awards.  Another area features several large glass booths with recording and mixing equipment.  Visitors can experiment with various effects and techniques for different types of music in each one.

The gift shop is a little small and cramped, out of necessity.  You'll definitely find some t-shirts you'll like, but the rest of the selection is limited.  Also, be aware that there is no cafe or food available in the museum.  It opens at 11:30, so you might want to have an early lunch (or late breakfast at The Original Pantry down the street).  There are plenty of places to eat within a block.  You can also leave and re-enter the museum; just get a wrist bracelet from the attendant at the ground floor.

All in all, a good way to spend 2-3 hours on an afternoon in downtown L.A.

Added July 2012:  According to The Huffington Post, the Grammy Museum will open the exhibit " “Whitney! Celebrating the Musical Legacy of Whitney Houston" on August 15, 2012.  The exhibit will run until February 2013.

From the museum website:

How to Purchase Museum Tickets

General admission tickets to the Museum are available through Ticketmaster and at the Museum Box Office. For program tickets, please see the Public Programs and Educational Programs pages on this website.

Adults: $12.95
Students: $11.95 (18 years and older, valid ID required)
Seniors: $11.95 (65 years and older)
Youth: $10.95 (6-17 years)
Military: $10.95 (Valid ID required)
Groups: $10.00 (10 or more persons, see Groups below)
School Groups: $8.00 Tour and program, $5.00 Tour only
Children: Free (5 years and younger)
Members: Free

Groups

When booked in advance, groups of ten or more qualify for a discounted ticket price of $10.00. For more information, please see the Group Sales page or call 213.765.6800 (ext. 3).

Box Office

Location
The GRAMMY Museum is located at the corner of Olympic Boulevard and Figueroa Street, at the northeast corner of L.A. LIVE. The Museum entrance and Box Office are located off of Figueroa Street. All same-day sales are available through the Museum's Box Office.

Hours
Monday - Friday 11:30am - 7:30pm, Saturday - Sunday 10:00am - 7:30pm

Contact
Phone: 213.765.6803
Email: boxoffice@grammymuseum.org

William J. Clinton Presidential Library and Museum

Integrated into the larger complex of  The Clinton Presidential Center,  the  Clinton Library and Museum in Little Rock is a fitting tribute to the man who presided over the dot-com boom of the 90s.  Visitors enter to a room featuring the presidential limousine and attend a short orientation in the auditorium.  When we were there, the orientation featured a film on Clinton's political career (narrated by Clinton) and then a live speaker to talk a bit about the goals and ongoing work of the Clinton Foundation.  Visitors learn about the library's work in the Little Rock community, including walk-a-thons and other events.  We also learned about the Center's commitment to sustainability, and its project to rebuild the Rock Island Railroad Bridge as part of a plan to rejuvenate a formerly depressed area of Little Rock.

No important modern building seems to escape controversy over architecture, and the Clinton Library brings its share. FranaWiki covers the debate:

The main building, comprising the Clinton Library Museum and Great Hall, has been variously called a "bridge to the 21st century" (a favorite Clinton expression) as it cantilevers ninety feet out towards the Arkansas River's edge, and as the "presidential double-wide" for its color, shape, and association with a president from small-town Arkansas. The Library is essentially a long, rectangular box elevated forty feet off the ground. A two-story veranda is attached to three sides of the building.

Elevators take visitors to the exhibit floors.   One display re-creates the Oval Office during Clinton's presidency; visitors aren't allowed in this room, but in the cabinet room, guests can seat themselves where they wish and pose for pictures. Bring a camera that works in indoor light (and perhaps a portable tripod) because photography is allowed, but flashes aren't.

Floor-to-ceiling cubicles (or alcoves, according to the site) showcase various Clinton initiatives and accomplishments, particularly international humanitarian and diplomatic efforts.  A timelined display case in the center holds the usual artifacts and mementos--I found a letter from Roddy McDowell, in impeccable English, congratulating Clinton.  Another reviewer remembered a letter from Tony Danza, so I guess there is something for everyone here!  Binder-clad copies of Clinton's schedule are available along the timeline case, so visitors can see what Clinton was doing on any given day.  This room is a little overwhelming with information and multi-media displays, and it might be easy to get separated from traveling companions here. Take your time, and perhaps pick and choose the areas that interest you the most.

Another floor is packed with more artifacts, with the obligatory (but always fascinating) collection of gifts from various heads of state.  The Clinton White House Christmas decorations are featured, along with plenty of Buddy and Socks memorabilia.  The Clinton Christmas decorations for the White House are also here, as is a collection of saxophones.  This is the most interesting area for school-aged children, and it personalizes the president and his family.

We ate at Cafe 42 (reviewed in '04 by a local paper) on the lower floor for lunch.  It seemed that the chefs were trying to meld Southern cooking with more experimental cuisines.  We enjoyed our meals, but one large group of diners were extremely upset about their food; I suspect they may have been expecting more traditional fare.  So, be aware that it isn't a fried-chicken and pulled-pork diner.

The gift shop isn't located within the museum; it's a couple blocks away.  Trams ferry visitors back and forth, and it's a manageable walk if the weather isn't bad.  It's definitely worth making the trip.  The shop offers all the usual paraphernalia, plus items reflecting the Clinton Foundation's international work, and, perhaps in recognition of Vice President Gore's work, information and supplies for Green living.  There are also plenty of books, including the memoirs by the Clintons and books on his presidency as well as historical works and plenty of children's books.  Kids will love the selection of stuffed presidential pets--we picked up a miniature Bo, but you can also get Buddy or Socks.  The Clinton pets also show up on postcards--look for Buddy swimming in the White House fountain.

Follow the William J. Clinton Presidential Library on Facebook.

From the website:

Hours & Admissions

Hours 
Monday – Saturday:    9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Sunday:   1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day

In the event of bad weather, closure or alternate hours will be posted on our automated recording at 501-374-4242.

Admission 
Adults (18-61) $7.00
Senior citizens (62+) $5.00
College Students (w/ Valid ID) $5.00
Retired Military (w/ Valid ID)$5.00
Children (6-17) $3.00
Children under 6 Free
UACS Faculty and Staff Free
School Groups w/ Reservations Free
All Active Duty Military are Free

Groups of 20 persons or more with reservations are eligible for a reduced adult-rate admission of $5 per person. If you want a guided tour you must make your reservation at least 14 days in advance. Walk-in groups are always welcome but only on a self-guided basis. To make a reservation or to ask questions please contact the Volunteer and Visitor Services Office at 501-748-0419.

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Cleveland

I can't add much here to the controversy over why the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame is in Cleveland, Ohio, or how nominees are chosen and voted in. One problem with museums covering a large, diverse topic is determining principles of inclusion, and the history of Rock and Roll faces this dilemma in spades.  That's not to say it isn't a great place to visit--a full day's experience for a visitor--but that experience is quite different from a more clearly focused museum.  If the Smithsonian is America's attic, the Rock Hall is its garage, stuffed with costumes, instruments, props, equipment, music, and--yes, cars.

U2 Tour Props

The design is already iconic--the glass pyramid is featured in the museum's logo, and pictures are all over the web.  Wikipedia has more on the structure and the architect, I.M. Pei, who designed a similar building for the Louvre.

Michael Jackson

guitar, glove

Pink Floyd guitar

The foyer of the museum resembles a modern mall, with large, white spaces and high ceilings, punctuated by pop art props from concert tours.  At the floor level, 7-foot tall pop art guitars matched to various artists provide photo opportunities.

The "green screen" portraits are shot here while visitors are waiting in line to buy tickets; the final product puts the Hall of Fame in the background, lit up in the night sky.  Visitors have the option of holding a guitar for the shot.

The entrance to the exhibit areas features the concert-type apparatus of the plastic wristband; signs at the door warn visitors not to take pictures of the exhibits, many of which are loaned under the condition that they not be photographed.  Inside, the main exhibit hall is dark, crowded, and noisy.  According to the website and program, the museum does have a plan, but it's hard to figure out once inside.  There was so much to take in that it was impossible to focus too long on any display, or linger on details.  The costumed mannequins provide the clearest focal point, as Stevie Nicks' gowns and David Bowies' progression of costumes are instantly recognizable points of interest.  Large floor-to-ceiling display cases are stuffed with artifacts.  There is accompanying text, but it is printed on silver tablets and, for me at least, it was a bit difficult to read.  In the middle, visitors can stand next to famous cars, including Elvis'.  It's fun, and in keeping with the rock spirit, but definitely leads to information overload.  Visitors who have  a few days to spend in the area might split their visits over 2-3 days, and soak up a different section of the museum each time (2-day passes are available).  The museum is a pleasant walk away from the Cleveland Riverfront area, so we took a break at midday to stroll along the riverfront before returning to the museum.

Beyond the main exhibit area, visitors can find more focused displays.  The top floor at the time of our visit featured "The Life and Music of Bruce Springsteen,"  which will be there until February of 2011.  This exhibit area changes to spotlight different acts, and did an excellent job of providing an in-depth look at early influences and evolution of its subject.  Other areas provided a glimpse into niches within the rock & roll phenomenon--a room devoted to "Austin City Limits," for example, was able to illuminate a little corner of the rock & roll world in interesting detail.  And, oddly enough, I found myself in the hallway outside one of the restrooms following biographical displays on Janis Joplin and Rick Nelson intently.


The targeted age of visitors is another difficult aspect of this museum.  The museum admits children under 8 free, but I'm not sure I would want to bring children that young here.  There were a few "PG-!3" type exhibits, but that wouldn't be my main concern.  The exhibits themselves aren't kid-friendly; they require some prior knowledge and interest and offer none of the hands-on teaching material that primary-age children would enjoy.  I would definitely recommend waiting until the kids are a little older AND have some interest in the material.  For tweens and early teens, you might want to figure out what they would already be familiar with, have them research a bit about related areas, and then focus on those sections of the museum.

Gift shop--the gift shop here, as might be expected, is extensive.  You should be able to find something for everybody on your list. Tees, hoodies, hats, shotglasses, mugs, puzzles, coasters, posters, books--pretty much everything you would expect it to have.  The website offers a selection of items, but nowhere near everything available onsite.  We didn't try any of the cafeteria options--the lines were rather long.  We took a break and had sandwiches near the Riverfront.

Addendum:  Now the Hall has a new addition--Lady Gaga's "Meat Dress."  It's taken a few months to prepare it for exhibition; it will be there until February 2012.

From the museum website:

• Adults: $22
• Greater Cleveland residents: $18 (with ID)
• Seniors (65+)/Military: $17 (with ID)
• Children ages 9-12: $13
• Children ages 8 and under: FREE with purchase of adult admission

Hours, September-May:

Open every day from 10 am - 5:30pm. Wednesdays, open until 9pm. CLOSED Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Open until 9pm on Wednesdays and Saturdays from Memorial Day until Labor Day.