Dear Sally:
I think your comments are right on. I was recently thinking about
another example similar to yours--many towns will raise huge sums
to build a community swimming pool, while the local museum is
struggling to survive. This may be in part because museums are
still trying to shake old stereotypes--that museums aren't family
places.
For many years I have taken a great personal interest in the
preservation of American childhood history, and have curated
several exhibitions on this theme. In my work, I have found that
there is a shift in the latter part of this century where women's
and children's arts and crafts are being more highly valued--look
at the interest now taken with quilts and doll collecting, for
example.
I hope to hear more from you. Keep up the good work.
John Handley