In a Time Like No Other, People Seek Out Museum Experiences
We know that the American public overwhelmingly supports and values museums. What was less clear is whether their trust in these institutions extends to this challenging time: as museums reopened their doors after unprecedented months-long closures due to the ongoing pandemic, would people come?
The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum can now confirm what fellow museums have reported: Yes, the public will visit. Yes, people trust us to keep them safe. And yes, we have a role to play in these uncertain times.
During the first week our Museum was open since March, each of the 250 daily tickets was reserved — usually 2,500 people visit per day at this time of year. While most visitors were local, some visiting the nation’s capital from other regions and countries sought us out. Both visitors and Museum staff were grateful for the opportunity.
“After seven months of closure, it was really important to me to help reopen the Museum to the public after receiving calls from people each week asking when they could bring their families to learn about the Holocaust,” said Dana Carroll, director of Museum Services. “In this chaotic world we now live in, the Museum helps our visitors reflect on the horrors of the Holocaust and hopefully helps make our world a better place for all, no matter their faith, race, or ethnicity.”
“People are willing to make a journey to the Museum and work with the new policies and procedures and do it all in a very respectful and considerate way,” said Jeremy Mendelson, a visitor services representative, after welcoming guests for the first time in seven months. “Kids are coming with their parents, which means two generations are learning about the Holocaust and, potentially, becoming better citizens.”
We faced some unique challenges in preparing to reopen our Museum: The main exhibition is accessed by elevators and has narrow passages, which make social distancing a challenge. “Because our award-winning architecture and exhibition design are so important to the visitor experience, our team worked hard to ensure that the modifications do not interfere with the impact of that experience,” said Museum Director Sara J. Bloomfield.
Decisions were made with care — for example, choosing hand sanitizer that would not damage artifacts. The experience of lighting a candle in the Hall of Remembrance is unfortunately on hold for now, as hand sanitizer can be flammable. Several theaters in the exhibition remain closed because they are simply too small to ensure distancing.
At this time when Americans have sacrificed so much, from their livelihoods to their education, we are so pleased that we can make this one opportunity for learning and connection available once more, along with robust virtual experiences for those who are not able to visit.
