Over five years ago the Newseum shut its doors in its Rosslyn neighborhood and started laying down bricks on Pennsylvania Avenue. The venue dedicated to the First Amendment is still on schedule for its grand opening this October, and in the meantime has been stoking its coffers with donations from news makers all over the country. This week they received their biggest gift so far, $15 million from The Annenberg Foundation. Newseum will name its theater the Walter and Leonore Annenberg Theater in recognition of the Foundation’s gift.
The Newseum’s Web site has all the details on what the new location will feature, including an impressive entryway:
The exterior’s unique architectural features include a 74-foot-high marble engraving of the First Amendment and an immense front wall of glass through which passers-by will be able to watch the museum fulfilling its mission of providing a forum where the media and the public can gain a better understanding of each other.
The Newseum will feature seven levels of galleries, theaters, retail spaces and visitor services. It will offer a unique environment that takes museumgoers behind the scenes to experience how and why news is made.
An interactive newsroom will let visitors strut their stuff as an on-screen newsbreaker and one gallery will show off captivating Pultizer Prize winning photographs. We’re looking forward to the exhibit on electronic media, and the 4-D theater, mostly because of WTOP’s amusing-for-science-nerds description, “‘The fourth dimension will be misting water, rumbling seats and other “surprise special effects,’ [Newseum spokeswoman Susan] Bennett said.” By which they mean “time.”
WTOP also notes that the museum will display Virginia Tech student Jamal Albarghouti’s cell phone, which captured video and sound during the April 16 shooting, though the article doesn’t say if the recording will actually be played.
The Newseum never announced a goal for its fundraising, but has so far raised $79 million from news organizations for the venue that will cost a princely $435 million. If it seems like they might be looking for a Hail Mary, you’ll be less surprised to hear it’s about to become the most expensive museum in the District to visit. Starting at $17.91 for adults, not including admission to the theaters, its going to be a costly trip down newsy memory lane for you and the family, especially when you consider the Rosslyn venue was open to the public for free. We hope those surprise special effects are damn good.
Photo by erin m.
