Problems at the Nations Museum

The physical infrastructure of the Smithsonian Institution is in trouble. The NY Times has the story:

The Smithsonian's Newest Exhibits: Water Stains
It may not be obvious to the throngs of tourists who flock daily to its famed museums, but the Smithsonian Institution is falling apart.

Ominous drips from strained expansion joints have sprinkled down amid Asian artifacts in the institution's Arthur M. Sackler Gallery. The historic Arts and Industries Building is closed to visitors to protect them from metal panels dropping from its beautiful but dilapidated ceiling. At the National Air and Space Museum, a water stain mars the Lilienthal hang glider that inspired the Wright Brothers to fly. Even the 1940's prototypes of what was to become seemingly indestructible Tupperware were irreparably damaged in a plumbing breakdown.

The world's largest museum complex, the Smithsonian includes 18 museums and galleries, 10 science centers and a zoological park. It is charged with conserving and displaying the country's treasures, both grand and whimsical - the Star-Spangled Banner that flew over Fort McHenry, bits of moon rock from the earliest space missions, the "puffy shirt" worn by Jerry Seinfeld in his hit television series.

But years of inadequate financing and maintenance have led to widespread disrepair that is imperiling the collections, institution officials say.

This month, Congress slightly increased appropriations for the federally supported institution to $621.3 million for fiscal year 2006, up from $615.2 million this year.

But Smithsonian officials say that is not enough to address what a recent audit by the Government Accountability Office determined was a "broad decline in the Smithsonian's aging facilities and systems that pose a serious long-term threat" to its countless artifacts.

Smithsonian officials estimate that it will take a total of $2.3 billion over the next nine years to solve the most pressing problems. The Board of Regents, the institution's governing body, has considered charging entrance fees to compensate for the budget shortfall. Since it was established in 1846, the Smithsonian has never charged for admission, and Sheila P. Burke, the institution's deputy secretary and chief operating officer, said that so far the recommendation had been voted down.

"These are the nation's treasures," she said. "Ultimately we feel protecting them is a federal responsibility."

Private donations have increased over the last decade, officials said. But donors tend to direct money toward exhibitions and programs or, in the case of major contributors, special projects that can be named for them. In September 2000, Kenneth E. Behring, a California developer and philanthropist, gave $80 million to the National Museum of American History, which now has "Behring Center" attached to its name. But the money was primarily earmarked for the design of major new exhibition areas, including a hall devoted to military history that opened last year. "It is difficult to raise money for plaster and plumbing," Ms. Burke said.

"Everyone is holding their breath," said Mark Goldstein, director of the yearlong audit, whose results were published in April. "They have been relatively lucky so far, but who is to say they will be so lucky in the future if they are unable to fix the damage they are currently presented with?"

This sucks. These are our national treasures (Jerry's puffy shirt notwithstanding) and deserve to be kept in better conditions. Why did the Smithsonian Management let it decline into this state and why aren't they doing more fund-raising. Sure, "It is difficult to raise money for plaster and plumbing" but I bet people would be willing to dig in and give some more if they knew how much they were helping. Gifts don't have to be for shinny new things, they can be for treasured older things too...