Week 11 - U.S. Deficit Proposal Could Affect the Smithsonian: Admission Fees are Proposed, Again

The 164 year tradition of the Smithsonian Institute offering free admission to its visitors could come to an end if Congress approves the proposed budget cuts.

by Carl Williams

WASHINGTON, D.C.—On November 10, the draft proposal submitted by the National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform recommended reducing the Smithsonian’s 2015 budget by $225 million. The Smithsonian Institute was suggested to charge admission fees at its 19 museums and the National Zoo, which are all free, to make up for the difference in funding. 

Erskine Bowles and Alan Simpson, the commission co-chairs, defends the recommendation saying, “Charging $7.50 per visitor is reasonable when compared to several notable private museums in the United States who charge from $10 to $20 per visitor, and even more for zoos.”

Smithsonian visitors, Neketa Johnson, Kenneth Thomas and Jennifer Clark, while exiting the National History Museum, said they all feared that adding a cost to admission would deter many tourists from visiting the national treasures and reduce the number of schools trips to the area.

“When I need to take a break from studies, the Smithsonian is always an option for a broke student.  They are located in a great area, around the National Mall, which is enjoyed by local visitors, as well as, tourists,” said Johnson. 

Thomas has lived in the area for about a year.  “I thought the Smithsonian was just one museum,” Thomas said.  “Having twelve free options, all within walking distance from my apartment, is enough encouragement to get me to visit more”  Now with more leisure time, thanks to a job change, he said he looks forward to exploring the museums, festivals and other activities that the area has to offer.

Clark adds, “Many of my childhood memories with my family include our visits to the museums, while growing up in the Washington, D.C.  It’s a tradition that I hope they continue,” pointing towards her daughter and son.  She live in Tennessee.  

Admission fees have been considered before by the Smithsonian.

In 1995, the New York Times reported a House panel proposed to cut $32 million from the Smithsonian’s budget of $371 million.  These cuts would have suspended the construction of the National Museum of the American Indian, the extension of the National Air and Space Museum at Dulles Airport as well as additions to the National Zoo.

In 2006, Rep. James P. Moran Jr. (D-Va.) urged the Smithsonian Institution to begin charging $1 per person admission when a Smithsonian official said the complex is crumbling because there is not enough money for critical repairs.

According to the Washington Post, Sheila Burke, the Smithsonian’s deputy secretary and chief operating officer, said the idea had been considered and rejected three times by the Smithsonian Board of Regents.  The last discussion was in 2002.

She also noted that four museums are legally forbidden from charging. The laws that created the National Museum of the American Indian, the National Portrait Gallery and the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden prohibit admission fees. In addition, Charles Lang Freer's will, which provided for the creation of the Smithsonian's Freer Gallery of Art, stated there could never be a charge.

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The story would have a national audience since many tourist take advantage of the free admission when visiting the area

The story could include pictures of the museums & interviewees, a chart listing the number of visitors per year and the number of visitors who enter more than one museum in one day, a timeline listing all of the attempts to add a fee in the past.

My sources included:

• The Draft of the $200 Billions in Illustrative Savings Report from the President’s deficit commission on the FiscalCommission.gov web site.
• The Smithsonian web site, which had a response to the proposed funding cuts.
• Three visitors exiting Smithsonian museums, who are listed within the article.
• A Smithsonian worker, who wished to remain nameless told me about past attempts to impose fees.

I called and emailed Linda St. Thomas, Chief Spokesperson of the Smithsonian Institution.  My attempts to get a response were unsuccessful.  Her contact info said ‘“or media” only but I decided to give it a try anyway.  My questions for her would have been:

1. Do you think a required payment will affect the number of visitors to the museums?
2. Will it affect other areas of the Smithsonian? (food court restaurants, shops, etc.) 
3. How much of the Smithsonian’s annual budget is covered by our tax dollars? 
4. How long has the Smithsonian been no cost to visitors?
5. Have there been recent suggestions to add admission fees?
6. How long have you held your current position?

My questions for the Smithsonian visitors (Neketa Johnson, Kenneth Thomas and Jennifer Clark) included:

1. What is your name and age?
2. Is this your first visit to a Smithsonian museum?
3. How far did you travel to get here?
4. Will a required payment deter you from making future visits?
5. If you are willing to pay what is your limit?
6. How many museums do you plan to visit today?
7. What else do you enjoy about the museums other than the free cost?