On Fri, 22 Jul 1994, Eric Siegel wrote:
 
> Wow, that's quite a statement for our little museum list:
>
>   (Paraphrasing) The old Museum of the American Indian at 155th
>   and Broadway wasn't in the best neighborhood.!!!!
>
> As a New Yorker, I'll agree that it was a challenge to get people to
> come to 155th street, and even harder to get funders to fund. BUT! Its
> a great loss to the City's sense of itself if that's why the Museum is
> being moved to the Customs house, and its very depressing to see part
> of this city which is Hispanic and African American, and not rich
> (though also not incredibly poor) so casually dismissed. >
 
The facility at 155th and Broadway, was in need of renovation and the
exhibit space had not been update in many years.  The offices and minimal
storage was definitely not the best.  The lighting of the exhibition
cases was mostly fluorescent and has caused a good bit of damage to the
collection.  I think they decided that it would be better to locate
elsewhere due to the building and the location.
 
The US Customs House near Battery Park, is in the financial district and
not far from the ferry to Statue of Liberty.  It is not uptown where most
of the other "big" museums are located.
 
Leaving the 155th and Broadway neighborhood is probably not the best for
that neighborhood.  Too often, a poor area is ruled out too quickly.
When everything has left, what is there that is left?  Those who cannot
or do not want to leave?  I think communities need to ask some tough
questions about how and what we teach children.  What role do museums
have in the community?  Can't museums help build community?
 
Thanks
Dave Wells