Smithsonian Institution Response to "What's New" by Robert Park, American
Physical Society
 
 
                                        July 1, 1994
 
 
     As chief curator of the Smithsonian Institution's "Science in American
Life" exhibition, I have been surprised by the characterization of the show in
Robert L. Park's comments on visiting the show and by others, prompted by his
remarks, who obviously had never seen the exhibit at all. The docent's
comments, as quoted by Park, and Park's further comments are simply not a fair
and accurate representation of the exhibition. We're making every effort to
make sure that our docents present the show's themes as accurately as possible
on their tours. For those of you who have not seen the exhibit, I'd like to
clarify what it's really about.
 
     "Science in American Life," a new permanent exhibit at the National
Museum of American History, documents the dynamic interactions between science
and society over the past century. It explores the development of science and
the scientific community through a series of case studies, but the history of
public response to science is an equally important part of our story. The
exhibit shows how science -- its achievements as well as its controversies --
has grown into a complex enterprise interwoven throughout American life.
"Science in American Life" includes a hands-on-science center in which
visitors can experience directly some of the excitement of doing science.
 
     Park's criticisms have taken the contents of our exhibition out of
context. It is true that we deal with some controversial topics, but "Science
in American Life" presents them in a balanced way. It is impossible to talk
about science and society in our century without addressing controversy. But
we deal with many other subjects as well. Park's list of topics is also
misleading in that it represents only a small fraction of our 13,000 sq. ft.
exhibition. I invite you to come to see it for yourself and make up your own
mind about it. All comments and perspectives are welcome, therefore I further
invite you to contact me directly. The exhibit is at the National Museum of
American History at 14th Street and Constitution Avenue in Washington, D.C.
 
   Arthur P. Molella
   Chief Curator, "Science in American Life"
   BITNET: MAH0H24@SIVM INTERNET: [log in to unmask]
   National Museum of American History
   (202-357-1963)
 
 
(A copy of this note has already been sent to Robert Park with a request to
post it to his "What's New" newsletter.)