| | | | | American Women's History Museum Commission Releases Report to Congress and the President |
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On November 16, the Congressional Commission on an American Museum of Women’s History (AMWH) submitted its much-anticipated report. Legislation creating the commission was passed by Congress in December 2014.
The commission affirms the need for a physical national museum (known as the American Museum of Women’s History) honoring the impact and experience of women in America. The commission recommended the museum become an official part of the Smithsonian Institution and be located one of three “preferred” sites on the National Mall: one at the South Washington Monument Site (mirroring the new National Museum of African American History and Culture), Northwest US Capitol Site (mirroring the United States Botanical Gardens), or Smithsonian’s Arts and Industries Building (unless the building is designated for a future Smithsonian Latino-American museum). The Arts and Industries building is currently undergoing a multi-million dollar restoration.
Under the commission’s plan, the museum would be funded with a combination of public and private funds with a fundraising goal ranging from $150–$180 million from the private sector. At least 75% of capital campaign funds would need to be pledged prior to any construction. The museum would be between 75,000–90,000 square feet in size.
The commission calls for the creation of a 10-year strategic plan to develop the museum in three phases.
The first “Action Plan” would require federal funding to go toward a Smithsonian-wide American Women’s History Initiative to make sure support is provided for the creation of a physical women’s history museum and ensuring women’s history is present in all current Smithsonian museums. The Commission recommends that an AMWH Interpretive Planning and Design Team select and engage women’s history scholars who represent the history and subject matter that will inform a well-rounded story of women’s history in America.
The second phase would involve Congress allocating land or an existing building to Smithsonian so the American Museum of Women’s History would have a prominent location in downtown D.C.
Finally, the third phase would require Smithsonian to partner with private sector funding sources to complete the capital campaign and create the physical building of the Museum. The museum will begin to build its collection through contacting women’s history museums across the country and acquire objects through loans or donations. The American Museum of Women’s History will be considered a “museum of the future” because of its plans to include digital elements into the physical museum, therefore stretching its reach beyond Washington, D.C.
To read the executive summary and full report, click here. |
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