Space on The National Mall
7 08 2008It seems like every other month we hear about another group wanting to build a museum on the national mall. Well right on the heels of the National Museum of African American History comes word on a Museum for Women’s History. The only problem is that there aren’t that many places left to build. The group is currently targeting a property at 12th and Independence Ave SW right next to the Mall.
Things weren’t always so crowded on the national mall though, back in 1960 the museum of American History was still under construction, there was no American Indian Museum, no Modern Art Gallery, even the Air and Space Museum wasn’t built yet. [Photo Credit: lreed7649]
In the picture you can also see the work that was being done on the Capitol dome at the time.
What a cool picture!
The site could have a nice placement on the 10th street, which is specified as an important axis in the NCPC framework plan.
I still can’t believe everyone thinks the Mall is “too crowded.” No matter the time in history, this always seems to be a complaint. The sheer monumentality of both the Mall itself and its affronting museums could never make the Mall feel “crowded” even if every property is developed.
Indeed, the very design of the Mall lends itself to be entirely developed while never feeling crowded at all. To those who think it is too crowded, I shudder to think of how they feel in downtown DC … or even New York!
[…] Apparently, the National Mall is the place to be. [DCMetrocentric.com] […]
[…] - Thanks to recent work by Congress, the National Women’s History Museum is one step closer to securing a location right off the National Mall next to the DOE. Now all they have to do is raise the $300 million needed to start […]