Although it is sad to see a museum fade away, isn't it sadder to see one linger on with no apparent purpose? In a time when we have museum bloat, that is we are over-served with museums in some areas, isn't it refreshing to see a board decide to close up shop rather than trying to serve a need that no longer exists? I think we will see more of this in the future as some of the museums we have today see their constituency groups age and die, with little interest from those who follow them. It is similar to a veterans groups limiting membership to a particular war. What happens when all the veterans die? Do you change missions, or go gracefully into the night? In museums, what happens when no one care about, say, Route 66, or the Lincoln Highway, because all those who knew it have died. We may argue that we need to commemorate it, but then how many museums do you need? A quick Internet search shows at least 6 museums dedicated to Route 66 alone (the Lincoln Highway has multiple museums as well). Someday, some of these museums will face this dilemma. Other specific interest museums will face this scenario too.
How many museums plan in advance for the time when they may cease to exist? The philanthropic pie is only so big, and some will go hungry. Kudos for the folks who can make the choice to close before their hands are forced.
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