Since 1997, NWHM has evaluated 43 possible building sites – some privately owned, some federal buildings.  In 2000, legislation was introduced in Congress directing the General Services Administration (GSA) to negotiate with NWHM for a long-term lease on the Old Post Office Pavilion Annex, a 100,000 sq. ft. glass-enclosed building at 12th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue.  The legislation passed the U. S. Senate twice on unanimous consent but stalled in the House of Representatives.  The legislation (S. 1841) was again introduced in the Senate in the 110th Congress.

On November 1, 2007, Smithsonian Institution released a request for qualifications inviting private entities to respond with a plan to renovate and occupy the Arts and Industries Building, an 1879 Victorian building located on the National Mall next door to the Smithsonian Castle.  This building, known as the “Mother of Smithsonian” since it was Smithsonian’s first exhibit hall, would be the ideal location for a women’s history museum.  NWHM responded on January 7, 2008.

On May 5, 2008 Smithsonian announced that it was withdrawing consideration of a private entity occupying Arts and Industries. Several reasons were given – one is to wait on the outcome of a commission studying the Latino-American Museum.  Smithsonian indicates that it will wait two years to determine if the Latino-American Museum wants the site and IF it will become a Smithsonian Museum.  In the meantime, the Arts and Industries Building deteriorates.  An architect told NWHM, “Smithsonian had better be praying that we don’t have a snow storm or the ceiling will collapse!”

Smithsonian’s blatant disregard for the use of resources costs NWHM in excess of $100,000 in out-of-pocket and pro bono services.  In addition, Smithsonian squandered tax-payer dollars in issuing the RFQ and who besides the tax-payers will provide upkeep on the building and pay for the $65 million in facility repairs.   

Join with NWHM in letting your Member of Congress know that you find it outrageous that Smithsonian would choose to let a building deteriorate on the National Mall rather than be used to honor the women of this nation. Click here.

NWHM is pursuing other sites.  Check back soon for an update.

 

View a 6 minute video featuring Meryl Streep about the NWHM legislation

 

HISTORY ON NWHM LEGISLATIVE EFFORTS:
1) CONGRESS ENACTS LEGISLATION DESIGNATING FEDERAL PROPERTY FOR MUSEUM SITES IN THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

• Recent examples include: Building Museum, Holocaust Museum, Native American Museum, Law Enforcement Museum, and most recently the African American History Museum, all of which were sponsored by non-profit organizations like the National Women’s History Museum.

2) THE NATIONAL WOMEN’S HISTORY MUSEUM HAS THE SUPPORT OF 31 EDUCATIONAL AND WOMEN'S PROFESSIONAL AND SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS REPRESENTING OVER 8 MILLION MEMBERS NATIONWIDE.
3) THE NATIONAL WOMEN’S HISTORY MUSEUM WILL PRESENT WOMEN’S HISTORIC CONTRIBUTIONS IN A RESPONSIBLE AND INSPIRING MANNER.

• NWHM was responsible for installing the Suffrage Statue in the Capitol Rotunda in 1996
• NWHM was endorsed as a museum sponsor in 1999 in the President’s Commission on Celebrating Women’s History.
  (full text) (Exerpts: Page 11, Page 12, Page 13)
• NWHM has sponsored many programs adding women’s voices to the historic record

4) THE U.S. SENATE HAS TWICE PASSED LEGISLATION PROVIDING VACANT FEDERAL PROPERTY TO THE NATIONAL WOMEN’S HISTORY MUSEUM.

• Text of Senate Bill S. 1841
• Text of Senate Report 109-104 (PDF Format)

 

 

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National Women's History Museum
Administrative Offices
205 S. Whiting Street Suite 254
Alexandria, VA 22304
703-461-1920
info@nwhm.org

Copyright © 2007 National Women's History Museum.