Newseum a treasure trove
Yesterday, two co-workers, a friend and I visited the newly reopened Newseum in Washington, D.C. If you read this blog regularly, you know I've been wanting to go there for a long time.
We figured it would take a few hours to fully enjoy the place. We got there 11:45 and didn't leave until 5:30 -- there was that much to see.
We started out scanning Today's Front Pages -- a sampling of front pages from newspapers in each of the 50 states, District of Columbia and some foreign countries. It was really neat to see the different layouts, page sizes, font/typefaces, and story selections.
The September 11 gallery just sucked me in and transported me back to that unbelievable day seven years ago. Especially the display of a freelance photographer's mutilated camera, cell phone, notebook and personal effects -- he died trying to get shots that day. And the front pages from that day from towns across the country and around the globe. It makes you realize how far-reaching this tragedy was and how challenging for journalists to cover.
The relics in the museum are also impressive. There are sections of the Berlin Wall (below), as well as a watchtower from the barrier between Communism and democracy. A portion of the antenna from atop the World Trade Center (above) and a helicopter from a broadcast news station.
I liked the quotes carved into the walls and the journalists' memorial to those killed while performing their jobs. The world map showing countries where there is and isn't freedom of the press made me feel very lucky to be a working journalist here in the U.S.
The museum also has studios where they do live tapings of shows such as ABC's Sunday "This Week with George Stephanopoulos." We sat through a half-hour Inside Media taping with Arianna Huffington during our visit and stopped to watch historic news broadcasts on a really wide screen.
The coolest part was going through the history section and listening to people reminisce about historic events such as JFK's assassination, the Challenger explosion, and the Monica Lewinsky scandal as they pulled out preserved newspapers from those moments. Other visitors marveled over antique typewriters and cameras and other newsgathering apparatus.
I felt like this is the kind of place anyone can enjoy and appreciate, even more so if you are -- or ever have been -- a journalist.
The only thing I didn't like was the $12 I paid for a small salad and soup in the basement cafe. And the $16 coffee mugs in the gift shop. Come on -- haven't they noticed what journalists get paid these days? Do they think we (or most other working-class folks) can afford those kind of prices!?
Other than that, it was outstanding.
Have you been there? If so, post a comment and share your thoughts.
Carmen · June 11, 2008 10:22 AM
I hadn't been and hadn't considered it, but your article makes it sound so interesting I just might go (even if they don't sell astronaut ice cream)
Buffy Andrews · June 11, 2008 11:09 AM
I plan to go in August with my family. Can't wait! Your entry made me even more excited to go. Thanks for sharing:)
Angie · June 11, 2008 2:44 PM
The history section was definitely my favorite. I could've spent a few more hours there. And, I didn't even stop at the really wide screen, because I knew I'd miss more if I stopped! The 9/11 video, with journalists discussing how they covered the news that day, really had me close to tears.
Megan · June 11, 2008 3:20 PM
The museum's coverage of an industry that is simultaneously revered and reviled offers something for everyone, from the casual observer to the practicioner. The Pulitzer Prize winning photograph collection is a must-see. And Carmen, they actually DO sell astronaut icecream.
Melissa · June 12, 2008 11:29 AM
I never got to go when we were living down there. You made it sound really interesting. Hope I get to see it someday.