tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2851578678715572028.post5429517682880343634..comments2023-08-10T11:52:29.460-04:00Comments on Beyond Bread: Anacostia Has a Museum?Greg Bloomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08563081048614579716noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2851578678715572028.post-11878535961013263062008-07-18T14:10:00.000-04:002008-07-18T14:10:00.000-04:00Hi Camille,I've been telling everyone about how im...Hi Camille,<BR/><BR/>I've been telling everyone about how impressed I was with the museum after our visit yesterday--I think you have a very impressive and creative approach to community history.<BR/><BR/>I do hope that serious efforts are taken to make the museum accessible to some of the busier roads around your museum. In the meantime, you have at least one walking advertisement.<BR/><BR/>Thanks for your comments and hard work,<BR/><BR/>MMatt Siemerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03692867983123213449noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2851578678715572028.post-5909018780444262242008-07-18T13:58:00.000-04:002008-07-18T13:58:00.000-04:00Response to the BEYOUD BREAD blog – 7/18/08As the ...Response to the BEYOUD BREAD blog – 7/18/08<BR/><BR/>As the director of the Smithsonian Anacostia Community Museum I want to thank you for your blog entry. I appreciate that you recognize the thoughtful preparation of the exhibition so that it would have an easily digestible impact on visitors.<BR/><BR/>I do want to address your statement about "why they put a museum in the middle of nowhere". The concept for this museum was to take the Smithsonian to the residents of DC, since they were not venturing into SI museums on the Mall. It was located in Anacostia because, of the many neighborhoods in DC that were considered, residents of SE enthusiastically embraced the concept and advocated for this site. These same residents became the museum's greatest supporters and a collective conscience -- providing input that would make sure that this SI museum was relevant to their history, culture and experiences. This museum is committed to remaining relevant while embracing inevitable change.<BR/><BR/>As far as accessibility, our location is a deterrent to many visitors. We are truly a "destination" and not a place you walk by on your way to somewhere else. There is no consistent foot traffic that promotes people to just drop in. This is some that could and should be addressed with the proper financial resources. We are looking for support to establish a shuttle service that would transport people from the downtown Mall sites to ACM and another that would do a loop between the Anacostia Metro station, ACM and other historic and cultural sites in this area. In the mean time, we are not "cut off from most conventional forms of [public] transportation" as you stated. We are accessible from the Metro station by taking the W2 bus route that stops directly in front of the museum. We are also one of the only SI museums that has a public parking lot (free) and ample street parking. <BR/><BR/>Again thank you for coming to the Anacostia Community Museum and for your comments and observations. Please help us spread the word about this hidden treasure in the heart of SE.<BR/><BR/>Camille Akeju, Director<BR/>Anacostia Community MuseumCGAkejuhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02098744691136995107noreply@blogger.com