And what is this all about???

Is it that the writer feels entitled to free use of museums?
Non-governmental museums rely on all types of income, including government
support if available, just to be able to make available the exhibits and -
yes - the restrooms.  There is no free lunch <s>

-----Original Message-----
From: sierra <[log in to unmask]>
Newsgroups: bit.listserv.museum-l
To: [log in to unmask] <[log in to unmask]>
Date: Monday, September 21, 1998 12:36 PM
Subject: met museum admission fee


>How much is the minimum necessary to pay to enter the Metropolitan Museum
>of Art (in New York City, on 5th Avenue at about 81st Street) to:
>  (1)  look at art, or
>  (2)  use a toilet there?
>
>........
>
>ONCE CENT FEE TO LOOK AT ART?
>The Met operates the Cloisters, a medieval museum in a public park in
>north Manhattan (Fort Tryon).  I don't know who owns the museum.  I once
>was told, by a cashier there, that the security guards would not let me
>past them unless I wore a small metal pin, and that I had to pay at least
>one cent to the cashier for that pin.  I paid a nickel, was given a pin
>and a receipt for 5 cents, and only then was allowed past the guards.  My
>purpose was to look at the art.  I had openly tried to get to the art for
>free that day but was not allowed to.  The cashier's sign announces a
>"donation" and I had explicitly explained that I did not want to make a
>donation that day.
>
>I was told by the cashier that at least one cent was required of me for
>the small metal pin, which the guards require of anyone who seeks to walk
>past them.  Does the Met have the legal right to require even one cent for
>admission to the Cloisters if the purpose of admission is to see the art?
>
>...
>
>
>ONE DOLLAR FEE TO USE A TOILET?
>Recently, someone (not me) wanted to use a toilet of the Met Museum of Art
>building (on 5th Avenue).  He was told that he was required to pay one
>dollar.  He paid the dollar, got a receipt for one dollar, and only then
>was allowed to use a toilet.  The Met (on 5th Avenue) has a cafeteria and
>a restaurant on its premises.  It is in a public park (Central Park).  Its
>entry building (the imposing building used as a main entrance for the
>public) is owned by the City of New York.  It gets money from the City
>government.  Does the Met have the right to charge money for admission to
>the Museum if the purpose is use of one of its toilets by a stranger
>walking in off the street?
>
>...
>
>--
>Alan J. Munn  [log in to unmask]
>http://www.geocities.com/CapitolHill/Senate/8014/