As we have all heard by now, the Obama Administration has created a National Commission of Fiscal Responsibility and Reform to address our country's fiscal issues. One of the ideas to come out of this Commission is to cut the Smithsonian's operating budget and begin charging admission to all of the Institution's museums.
The Smithsonians have been free since 1846, and although the NBC writer calls it an 'indulgence the country can no longer afford', I disagree. I think it is a luxury that we all have the privelege to enjoy as tax payers. If you really think about it, we do in fact pay for the museums in the same way we pay our police and fire services and any other government officials.
This story was brought to my attention by a tweet from a DC blog, We Love DC, and I agree with the response found here: http://wldc.us/cBpTzC. The blog calls the museums 'our collected treasure', 'trophy case', 'built with the hearts and minds of the American Public and to charge for them would be a travesty.' These museums tell the story of our country. The story of our history, our advances in air and space technology, our natural history and research in world natural history, our Native American roots, and the incredible creative works that have come out of this country throughout our histor can all be found within a few blocks in some of the most beautiful buildings on some of the most beautiful property in the world (in my limited, and biased, experience.)
The Smithsonians are more than just a place to walk around and look at stuff for a few hours. They hold treasures that are essentially free for the taking for all Americans, regardless of who you are, where you're from, and how much money you make. Charging admission would hinder the Smithsonian's truly fulfilling one of its main purposes: to reach and educate the American people. See the Institution's response: http://ow.ly/391Z5.
Those audiences who are most underserved in the areas of arts and culture would only continue to become more so. The Smithsonians serve those who cannot afford the expensive, fancy museums and galleries in other cities. They can come to the nation's capital and see the roots and creations of this country on display, for no charge.
To get off my cultural high horse, I will address the actual charge, should the Commission's plan actually go through. (I submit that it will not because other attempts to charge at the Smithsonians have all fallen through.) BUT for argument's sake, let's say it does pass and I have to pay everytime I walk into a Smithsonian (which is a lot when I'm in DC). The Commission is proposing a $7.50 charge for admission to the museums. Honestly, I am unclear, and it seems that the plan is not fully fleshed out, as to whether the cost will be $7.50 at each museum, or a $7.50 charge for all of the museums. A $7.50 charge for all of them would be tolerable. Perhaps you would have to go to the Smithsonian Castle and pay for some kind of pass that will allow you get into all of the museums for that day. That wouldn't be so bad, I guess. But $7.50 for every museum?? That would be an incredible financial burden for vacationers in an already-expensive city. For a city that prides itself on so many free attractions, this would be a huge hit for tourism, I think (and so does the blogger).
A historian friend who shall remain unnamed proposed the question, 'How else will historians get paid?' The simple answer is the same way they've always gotten paid, through the Institution's budget funded by our tax dollars. Of all of the things that our taxes pay for, besides civil protection like police and government, I think that our cultural resources are among the most important. The artifacts that are found in these museums are invaluable for current and future generations to understand our history and important to past generations to honor their work and memory.
Another way to think about it is to compare the Smithsonians to our National Parks. Most (not all) of our National Parks are free, at least for entry, and all employees are paid through the tax-payer-funded budget.
Mostly, I just think that the Smithsonian Institution is just that--an American institution that should be preserved just like all of the pieces of history that the museums preserve.
**11-20-2010: Note: After doing more research and having further conversation, my assertion about the National Parks was not true. Apparently most Parks do in fact charge admission fees. **