To the list,

It was announced today that, starting on Monday, the Columbus Center for
Marine Biotechnology Research and Education will close the doors of its
public exhibition hall indefinitely for "reorganization."  This much
heralded informal science learning center was only open for seven months
before financial pressure and low attendance led to the current decision.

Those of you paying attention to this continuing drama will remember that
this will be the second major institution to close in Baltimore this
year.  The Columbus Center and the Baltimore City Life Museums were both
featured in a Museum News last Spring.  The article was a glowing report
concerning the health of Baltimore Museums and how the Schmoke
administration was building our second renaissance around these newer
museums.  The reports of Baltimore's rebirth have been greatly
exaggerated.=

That sound that is keeping you up at night are Baltimore museum
professionals biting their fingernails.



Matthew A. White
Director of Education
B&O RR Museum
901 W. Pratt Street
Baltimore, MD 21223
(410)752-2461
FAX:(401)752-2499
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