I've always loved the old National Bank of Washington building, and I've never understood why it's sat empty for so many years. In a city full of banks with those tiny lobbies and cramped desk space, it's a shame that no one ever set up shop here. D.C. could really use one of those really big, really fancy banks, that are constantly getting robbed in movies like Inside Man or The Dark Knight. Instead, it's just been a place for the homeless to camp out in front of.
So when I saw this last week, I was glad that it seemed like someone was finally moving in:
Then I actually read who was going to occupy it.
Is it a bank, that would restore the building to its original purpose and glory? Some upscale retail establishment, like a Tiffany's or an Apple Store? Some new and exciting tourist location, like the Spy Museum?
No, the building is going to be home to the Armenian Genocide Museum and Memorial.
Now, no offense to the good people of Armenia, both living and dead. But...really? A museum dedicated to the Armenian genocide? Right there in the heart of D.C.? And the organizers feel as though this is going to be a popular destination? I'm not entirely sure how many Armenians there are in the D.C. area, either residents or tourists, but I can't imagine it's enough to keep this thing afloat.
Apparently, the Armenians got their hands on the building a long, long time ago, hence why no one has moved in in the meantime. And good for them, I guess. There should absolutely be an Armenian Genocide Museum and Memorial. Just maybe in Armenia.
But if the building has to house yet another museum and memorial, I'd prefer it be for something a little...I dunno...peppier? I mean, suppose you're walking down the street. It's been a really bad day. Would you rather pass by a museum dedicated to genocide or a museum dedicated to, say, the Redskins? Or puppies? Or Batman? Or pretty much anything cheerier than genocide? Which is to say, pretty much everything?
I won't go so far as to say that I want this thing to fail. But if it does, it'd be nice if there was something really cool and fun and non-mass murder-related ready to replace it. Actually, the more I think about it, the more I think a Batman museum would be a really, really great idea.
27 comments:
I had the same thought process when I passed by that bank and noticed the same notice for the museum. Wonder if they are keeping the shoe store...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Armenian_Genocide
Read and learn why this is more important than a new Wachovia branch.
Yeah, I linked to that very page in the post.
I don't question its importance. I question the wisdom of putting a museum dedicated to it in Washington, D.C., especially in such a prime location. The phrase "limited appeal" doesn't begin to cover it.
The city may not need "a new Wachovia branch," but I think it's almost always preferable to have a historical landmark used for its original intention. Or an Apple Store.
I think an Apple store would rock in that location, and there should be something more fun than a genocide museum in it. Still, I can definitely see a place in DC for the genocide museum--it wouldn't be the first museum about genocide for DC, and I hear that other one is doing all right.
Now regardless of the fact that whoever may follow up on this may take a petty jab at my 'bias' as one might claim, I'll clear the air presently. Yes, I'm Armenian and naturally it would be in my very first instinct to provide a retort, but the fact that someone, namely, a disinterested party member, found it necessary to blog over a topic such as this and be expected to be taken seriously is mind boggling. I'd hate to think that the majority of our population is as ignorant and foolish as the author - but all I have to ask is, puppies - really? You dare recommend the replacement of a dedication to the mass killings with a tribute to infant canines? What do all of these protests against the use of a historic landmark for the purposes of a historic event have to say about the human conscience? I think it is a sad sad day when my fellow blogging peers find it necessary to tear down something that has yet to be put up. Thank you all.
but the fact that someone, namely, a disinterested party member, found it necessary to blog over a topic such as this and be expected to be taken seriously is mind boggling.
If only "interested parties" were able to opine about stuff on the Internet, the blogosphere would be a pretty quiet place. But regardless, your premise is mistaken. I am an interested party, since as I stated, I'm a big fan of the National Bank building, and want to see it put to good use. A museum with such narrow appeal, regardless of how noble it might be, doesn't qualify in my book.
I'd hate to think that the majority of our population is as ignorant and foolish as the author
Me, too!
but all I have to ask is, puppies - really? You dare recommend the replacement of a dedication to the mass killings with a tribute to infant canines?
And Batman. Don't forget about Batman.
Again, no one is saying that there shouldn't be an Armenian Genocide Museum in D.C. (though it does strike me as an odd choice). It's the location I have problems with.
What do all of these protests against the use of a historic landmark for the purposes of a historic event have to say about the human conscience?
"All these protests"? Are there others out there? Because if so, we could form a club.
Seriously, it's not a protest, you jackass. It's an opinion stated in a relatively obscure blog, that tomorrow will be discussing why Star Trek is better than Star Wars, or something equally irrelevant. You're free to disagree with my opinion, but don't make it into more than it is. Ultimately, whether the building becomes the Armenian Genocide Museum or a McDonald's, impacts my life not one bit.
I think it is a sad sad day when my fellow blogging peers find it necessary to tear down something that has yet to be put up. Thank you all.
For fuck's sake...when I show up with a sledgehammer, you can accuse me of trying to "tear it down." Until then, tone down the melodrama, will you?
Scrotum,
There's already a museum in Armenia dedicated to the Armenian Genocide. The one in D.C. will be the first such museum in the United States.
America's humanitarian response to the Armenian Genocide was the first massive international humanitarian effort engaged by the people of the United States. This was a very proud moment in American history, and the Museum will pay much tribute to and will provide the public with information about that proud moment.
Another important piece of this Museum will be its "Taking Action Center." That will focus on educating people and providing interactive and multimedia resources to help people get engaged in the struggle against ethnic cleansing, Holocaust and Genocide.
Finally, the Museum will provide information about the Armenian people, their history, and their culture.
I know these things aren't as "interesting" to some people as a museum dedicated to Batman or another Apple store. But America isn't just a place for brain-dead drones. It's also full of people who care about issues your short attention span doesn't allow you to consider, such as Genocide, the environment, history, art, culture, etc.
As to your wish that the Museum go out of business, it isn't being built to compete with Walmart! It isn't there to make money. It's there as a tribute and a sign of hope to all who have suffered similar fates.
Scrotum,
Heh.
But America isn't just a place for brain-dead drones. It's also full of people who care about issues your short attention span doesn't allow you to consider, such as Genocide, the environment, history, art, culture, etc.
Hey, look, if I'm wrong, and the Armenian Genocide Museum turns out to be a huge tourist attraction, I'll gladly eat my words. I just don't see it happening.
As to your wish that the Museum go out of business
Now you're cheating. I specifically said the opposite of that. Any other strawmen you'd like to construct?
It isn't there to make money. It's there as a tribute and a sign of hope to all who have suffered similar fates.
So there won't be a gift shop?
Donations are going to cover everything, including rent/property taxes, utilities, and employee salaries? You sure about that?
All museums are there to make money. Not necessarily turn a profit, but the ones that don't cover overhead tend to go away.
Strawman?
Hm, let me quote you since you appear to have amnesia:
"But if the building has to house yet another museum and memorial, I'd prefer it be for something a little...I dunno...peppier? I mean, suppose you're walking down the street. It's been a really bad day. Would you rather pass by a museum dedicated to genocide or a museum dedicated to, say, the Redskins? Or puppies? Or Batman? Or pretty much anything cheerier than genocide? Which is to say, pretty much everything?
I won't go so far as to say that I want this thing to fail. But if it does, it'd be nice if there was something really cool and fun and non-mass murder-related ready to replace it. Actually, the more I think about it, the more I think a Batman museum would be a really, really great idea."
How does that NOT sound like you want this Museum to go away?
Anyway, rest assured, much like the Genocide Museum in Yerevan, which also isn't there to make money and does not make money, this Museum will remain intact so long as there is an Armenian-American community. It will be treated much the way we treat Armenian churches, none of which make any money. If there is an Armenian community to support it, then it will remain even if only 10 people a week visit.
If you have any doubt, visit the "Armenian Churches in India" website:
http://www.armenianchurch.in/
There are 8 historic Armenian churches in India, most of them recently restored even though there are no more than 5000 Armenians living in all of India. Look at the Tangra, Chinsura, and Saidabad churches. You'd think there were a million Armenians living in India when you see these exquisite churches. But there aren't, and those churches make no money. They are treated as national treasures by the Armenian community, and the same will apply to the Armenian Genocide Museum in Washington D.C. Not to mention, there are almost 1,000,000 Armenians in America; so if 5,000 Armenian-Indians can maintain 8 churches, surely 1,000,000 Armenians can maintain this Museum, especially now that so many of us have the Audacity of Hope!
How does that NOT sound like you want this Museum to go away?
How about the part where I said--which, by the way, you quoted--"I won't go so far as to say that I want this thing to fail." Seems pretty clear to me.
Now, I know you want to pretend otherwise, but believing the museum isn't going to succeed is not the same thing as hoping it doesn't.
I didn't ignore that sentence at all. I just gave it little weight considering all of the other sentences you wrote in those 2 paragraphs.
As for "success", I guess I haven't made myself clear. For the Armenian-American community, who is building this thing, success isn't measured by whether or not it is a financial success. The fact that we are able to build it at all is a success. If 1 person comes there and learns something positive about the Armenian people and the American people that they didn't know before, it is a success. Financial success is not in the minds of those building it. I'm not disputing that it will or won't break a profit or that it will or won't sustain itself with the revenue it generates as an operating museum. What I'm saying is that that isn't relevant to the Armenian-American community as it relates to this project. In fact, it is likely to have an endowment that will ensure its existence whether or not it can support itself with its museum revenues.
There is immense value in this museum irrespective of whether or not it turns a profit. Given what you've written, I don't expect you to understand that, but it's worth a shot.
I didn't ignore that sentence at all. I just gave it little weight considering all of the other sentences you wrote in those 2 paragraphs.
Yeah, but that's not what you said. You said I wished it would fail, which I clearly didn't. You were wrong, and now you refuse to admit it.
If 1 person comes there and learns something positive about the Armenian people and the American people that they didn't know before, it is a success.
That is such bullshit and you know it.
And again, you're confusing "making money" with "turning a profit." The latter may not be the museum's goal, but the former is necessary for its survival.
In fact, it is likely to have an endowment that will ensure its existence whether or not it can support itself with its museum revenues.
For your sake, I hope it's a really, really big one.
Damn, Scotus.
Was this entry in poor taste? Yeah, it probably was. Is it worth squealing like stuck pigs over it? No, probably not.
In the end, it's one man's highly satirical opinion. He's already said he has no plans to swing a sledgehammer at it, nor does he hate Armenians or support genocide. Can't we all just take a deep breath and go on with our lives?
And, I must say I loved this:
"But America isn't just a place for brain-dead drones."
Yup...it's also a place for self-righteous blowhards.
I think you have a right to voice your opinion on this. I want a museum on the potato famine in DC, as some of my ancestors are Irish. I want a museum in DC on the inquisition, as some ancestors are Protestant. I want a museum in DC about the killing of Catholics in England as some of my ancestors are Catholic, or the plight of Italian-Americans..........
The list could go on and on, but in my opinion none of these issues should have a museum in DC. Perhaps a museum on all the different groups in America and their story would be more appropriate. If I am not mistaken, Federal Tax Dollars are going into this Armenian museum.
Museums in DC don't necessarily make logical sense:
Why does the Native American Museum not exhibit, explain, or mention the mass killing of their people?
At the same time, how is there a museum dedicated to the Holocaust? Should this museum be moved to Israel?
Why is there a crime and punishment museum?! This is the most disturbing - it features Hollywood movie props (Bonnie and Clyde's car from the 1967 movie). What is the point of this?
I would visit an Armenian genocide museum. It isn't the "peppy-est" topic ever - but the Redskins and Batman to me are symbols of consumerism and shallow-minded entertainment to distract people from taking action on real issues like....genocide.
Now I know I sound like one serious dude, but for example...I can tell you 5 characters from the Batman story - but could not tell you the name of more than 1 Armenian. I have seen 4 Batman movies - but would have trouble finding Armenia is on a map!
Shannon: Thanks. And I'd just like to reiterate the phrase "satirical opinion." I hate having to spell things out for people, but as with pretty much every post I've ever done, I wasn't exactly being 100% serious. And frankly, even if this was the first time someone read this blog, I would think that would be obvious.
B: I'd have no problems with any of those museums. BUT--and this this the crux of my point, for those who got hung up on puppies and Batman--museums are, regardless of what anyone might claim, businesses. And part of creating a successful business is finding the right location to operate from. The National Bank building is an inappropriate spot for a museum with such a narrow focus, and it'd be much better suited elsewhere in the city, such as Chinatown. (And yes, if someone announced that they were putting a Batman museum on 14th Street, I'd be just as critical of that decision.)
Anonymous: The Holocaust Museum has significantly more widespread appeal. The Crime & Punishment Museum, like the Spy Museum, is just as much entertainment as museum, and is therefore able to get away with selling tickets to get in. I'm assuming the Armenian Genocide museum won't be doing this, because if they are depending on ticket revenue, this thing is dead already.
And by admitting you know more about Batman than Armenia, you prove my point. Most Americans can't find Armenia on the map. You might be curious enough to go, but most people won't. Not in the sort of volume it would take for the museum to sustain its operations, anyway.
If they do have federal tax dollars (which as a private museum, they shouldn't, but I'll let that go) or, as the other Anonymous suggested, a generous endowment, great. Here's hoping it never runs out.
I'm not unsympathetic to Scotus - as a former resident of Winnipeg, there has been a push to set up a Holocaust museum on some prime, downtown real-estate, which will be built with a blend of private and federal money. While I think such projects are laudable, I see a disconnect between where (Washington DC, and Winnipeg, Manitoba, neither place that I associate with a large Armenian or Jewish diaspora) the museums are going to be built, and the real estate (prime stuff in a downtown location) that the museums are going to occupy. These are legitimate development issues, and there should be room for discussion of these projects (as worthwhile as they might be on other fronts) as such.
I will go so far as to say I hope it will fail, because the people advocating it here are really coming off as dicks.
And if there's ONE THING this city doesn't need any more of . . .
Unlike the Holocaust Museum, there is no Federal or any government funding for the Armenian Genocide museum. It is entirely privately funded, and so will be its endowment.
Scrotum is correct that if this were a profit-motivated business, it would fail, which is why it will be preserved through an endowment. But if it makes you feel any better Scrotum, I'll send a private email to the organizers suggesting that they build a wing dedicated to breast implants and tootsie rolls. Maybe then you'll feel it has the "widespread appeal" to make it a blockbuster like the Holocaust Museum!
Now for B Said,
Who's stopping you from building a Museum on the potato famine? The people building the Armenian Genocide Museum aren't taking money from anyone's pocket, other than Armenian-Americans, in order to do it. Who is it harming by being on prime real estate rather than in Chinatown as Scrotum suggested?
I'm amazed at the amount of animosity here towards the building of a museum "on prime real estate" dedicated to the Armenian Genocide. You'd think it was a museum dedicated to the Taliban or something!
Well, that's the thing. It isn't animosity, I am doing is questioning how best to develop the property. If the Armenian Museum is doing it with private money, and nobody else is interested in the property, hey, great, I have no problem with that. When you start mixing in public money, or try to rationalize the nuts and bolts of buying and developing the property with the high minded ideals of whatever cause you espouse, than I get skeptical.
Mark,
I'm totally with you on that. As a fiscally conservative tax-payer, I don't like the idea of my money being spent on stuff I don't care that much about. So I can understand your view if this Museum had any public money involved. But unlike many other museums, such as the Holocaust Museum, it doesn't have any public money involved.
Scotus...I want a Batman museum. I was upset when I realized there was not one. Also, I used to celebrate Armenian Genocide Day until I realized it did not mean go out and kill an Armenian...
That last part was a joke, I hope anonymous does not attack me now.
If he does, he better not call you Scrotum. That's his special name for me.
Man, I always loved that building too. As a kid, when I took the 42 bus, this building always meant we were just that much closer to Murphy's, the local department store. Greatest place in the world for Super Powers, Matchbox cars and GI Joe action figures.
OK,"THIS IS IT..." too but I didn't know what IT was at the time for why my mother wouldn't let me look on that side of the street for too long.
Well when you call yourself Scotus, you can't blame someone for taking a swing at that lob! I'm glad you view it as a term of endearment. After all, we all love our scrotums; where would our testicals be without them - maybe on display at a testical museum at the National Bank building.
Why is it ok for so many museams and memorials to be dedicated to the Holocaust, but God forbid anyone remembers the Armenians...oh, wait...That's a quote from Hitler, right before invading Poland, he said: "Who afterall remembers the Armenians?"
I guess we'll never learn from past mistakes because SOME PEOPLE, want a "peppier" museam!!!
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