D.C.’s newest museum worth a visit

By Nate Delesline III

Published: May 21, 2008

Being that Washington, D.C. is one of the world’s cultural and historical hotspots, it comes as no surprise that the city is an ideal spot for a museum devoted to news.

And in a city chock-full of museums and monuments, I think the newly-opened Newseum is a unique attraction deserving of a visit.

Saturday, I was invited to tour the recently opened attraction. The $450 million, 250,000 square foot building opened last month.

Upon exiting Metro’s Judiciary Square Station and approaching the Newseum from the rear, I was immediately impressed by the tasteful yet modern styling of the building. The simple, clean lines and heavy use of glass give the impression that the building is a modern place where journalism and the news is not just displayed, but created.

Inside the atrium, a modern news helicopter hovers overhead. Further above, a replica of a communications satellite is suspended.

Making my way to the front of the vast glass-fronted atrium, I wandered into the gallery of Pulitzer Prize winning photographs. I was immediately emotionally overwhelmed. I have always harbored some jealously and admiration of photographers, for they are able to capture and convey what words alone cannot. It seemed I was not alone as others young and old studied the images in quiet contemplation.

Some of the photos in the gallery I immediately recognized, like the raising of the flag on Iwo Jima and the limp body of one of the Oklahoma City Bombing’s young victims in the arms of a firefighter.

Others were less familiar, but I will not soon forget them. I won’t spoil it for you, but you can see a sneak peak of some of the photos, along with the rest of the exhibits on the Newseum’s web site.

Tragedy and pain is a part of life and an inherent part of news, so I would note that not every single thing in the museum is appropriate for very young kids.

The unbiased look at news gathering also extends to the media itself. Several exhibits dissect the coverage of past and present stories giving visitors an inside look at why some stories were front-page news for months on end, while others were ignored. As a media person myself, I found their treatment of how decisions are made on what to cover and how to cover it “fair and balanced,” to borrow the slogan of a well-known cable news channel.

At the top of the museum, a terrace overlooks Pennsylvania Avenue. Inside, each day’s front pages from dozens of U.S. and international newspapers are displayed.

Downstairs, for those who like to participate and not just watch, a faux studio offers up and coming journalists — or wannabes —the chance to practice their live television news gathering and presentation skills.

Although I got a free pass because of my association with the Freedom Forum, the museum’s main sponsor, I think the $20 adult entry fee is well worth it, although with the Smithsonian’s free museums nearby, it might be hard to convince a penny-pinching tourist to part with the cash, but I think a visit to the Newseum should be on your D.C. to-do list.

Nate Delesline III can be reached at 825-0771 ext. 110 or .