Norton Says No to Admission Fees for Federally Supported Landmarks (4/25/07)

Norton Says No to Admission Fees for Federally Supported Landmarks But
Plans Hearing on Smithsonian Deterioration and Needs
April 25, 2007

Washington, DC- Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Chair of the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management, today said that she would hold a hearing concerning the urgent need to devise a plan for renovation of Smithsonian museums, but said that institution of fees "must not be permitted, breaking an important, signature tradition since the Smithsonian was established more than 160 years ago." Norton, who has paid special attention to the Smithsonian, including the National Zoo, said that she was astonished to learn that the Smithsonian will charge visitors to see part of a new permanent exhibition called "Butterflies and Plants: Partners in Evolution" later this year. While admission fees were charged for two temporary exhibits in the 90's, this is the first time a permanent exhibition will not have free admittance. Norton said that she will look into the temporary charges as well in order to avoid a policy of creeping fees.

Norton, who is a strong supporter of the Smithsonian, said that Congress is to blame for "chronic under-funding of the Institution, driving these museums into further deterioration." She said she was "alarmed" by the state of the buildings and the absence of any plan for renovation and repairs and will help seek realistic answers, beginning with her hearing. However, the answer is certainly not to break the tradition that allows average Americans and their families to visit these federally supported institutions free of charge, Norton said. "If the Butterfly Pavilion opens the screen door that says ‘no charges,' who can believe that the butterflies will be the last to fly through?" The Congresswoman said, "Half of the annual visitors to the nation's capital are school children. They are perhaps those most likely to want to see the butterflies. Free access is the pride of the city, and the constituents of House and Senate members have come to depend on it. Far fewer would come if we imposed charges on any of the sites that bring them to the city. Once there is an admission charge for any of these institutions, there must be an admission charge for all. That would be the beginning of the end for free and open access to federally supported art institutions and museums in the capital."

Norton strongly supports private funding for the Smithsonian, which receives 70 percent of its funds through congressional appropriations, but with the safeguards and board attention that regrettably were absent during the tenure of former Smithsonian Secretary Lawrence M. Small, who recently resigned. Norton said that "Congress is the real villain in this piece and Congress must help with funding and help guide the Smithsonian in seeking private funds."