Why no world class Science museum for in town Atlanta. (architect, history)

[rickms55]

Originally Posted by Citykid3785

I think generally speaking, colder cities where you need more to do indoors tend to have better science museums. Obviously not always, perhaps a general rule of thumb. In this sense, I almost wouldn't expect Atlanta to be leading the way like a Boston or Twin Cities would.

It's probably more of a function that many northern cities were a little (or a lot) more established or mature and further down the path for such things. That said, such a destination might have been a wise investment near the attractions downtown.

[jeoff]

The CDC has a great science museum that is (ordinarily) open to the public. Schools visit all the time (pre-covid). You have to go through a bit of security, and parking is (usually) sparse. But, there is plenty of paid parking just across the street at Emory Point, and the stores do validate. So, you can have lunch there and spend an hour at the museum (or pay and stay more than an hour; the museum is free, so you really shouldn’t cry too much for having to pay for parking). It’s part of the Smithsonian, and it is a “world class” science museum that specializes in public health (epidemics and such) . It is actually located within the CDC, so security is extensive, and if there are large groups of visitors you may wait a while to get in (still way less painful than getting into a popular DC museum during the holiday season or summer). With the pandemic, it is currently closed to the public, but it should reopen to the public eventually (normal hours M-F 9-5, 9-7 on Th). Closed Federal holidays.
https://www.cdc.gov/museum/index.htm

[bu2]

Originally Posted by Citykid3785

I too was underwhelmed by the fernbank. And Tellus is amazing for cartersville, yet still inadequate for a metro of atlanta's size

They would be pretty good if they were combined. I think that's the issue. Its split.

I do think Tellus is the better museum. I've been to it 2 or 3 times and Fernbank many times. Fernbank has a nice building, but is short on exhibits.

[bu2]

Originally Posted by Citykid3785

I think generally speaking, colder cities where you need more to do indoors tend to have better science museums. Obviously not always, perhaps a general rule of thumb. In this sense, I almost wouldn't expect Atlanta to be leading the way like a Boston or Twin Cities would.

I think Atlanta's philanthropy is just oriented a different direction. Perhaps more education and less museums. I remember being really underwhelmed by the High Museum and less than impressed by Atlanta's other fine arts. Of course the 1962 plane crash killing a lot of art patrons certainly hampered those efforts.

https://www.ajc.com/news/local-govt-...OvxrkkOGph7OM/

"...Atlanta Mayor Ivan Allen Jr. knew many of the dead. He'd seen them off on their trip in early May; a month later he faced the grim task of helping identify victims and accompanying their remains home from Paris.

"This was my generation... ... these were my friends," the mayor, his voice breaking, told the Atlanta Constitution shortly after hearing of the crash.

103 members of the Atlanta Art Association never made it back from their month-long tour of famed European art galleries. They were among the 130 people killed when Air France Flight 007 crashed off the end of an Orly Airport runway after an aborted takeoff attempt. Investigators later learned that mechanical failure caused the crash. It was the worst single airplane crash at that time...."

[UrbanQuest]

Originally Posted by bu2

I think Atlanta's philanthropy is just oriented a different direction. Perhaps more education and less museums. I remember being really underwhelmed by the High Museum and less than impressed by Atlanta's other fine arts. Of course the 1962 plane crash killing a lot of art patrons certainly hampered those efforts.

https://www.ajc.com/news/local-govt-...OvxrkkOGph7OM/

"...Atlanta Mayor Ivan Allen Jr. knew many of the dead. He'd seen them off on their trip in early May; a month later he faced the grim task of helping identify victims and accompanying their remains home from Paris.

"This was my generation... ... these were my friends," the mayor, his voice breaking, told the Atlanta Constitution shortly after hearing of the crash.

103 members of the Atlanta Art Association never made it back from their month-long tour of famed European art galleries. They were among the 130 people killed when Air France Flight 007 crashed off the end of an Orly Airport runway after an aborted takeoff attempt. Investigators later learned that mechanical failure caused the crash. It was the worst single airplane crash at that time...."

Thanks for the insight. That could definitely have a large bearing on things.

A big beautiful science museum somewhere in town would be great though along with a great natural history museum right next to it. I wouldn’t really put it around Centennial park though. Midtown maybe.

[seussie]

You mean like The Thinkery in Austin?

I don't think the culture of CoA and the cost of science museums meet anywhere in any kind of middle right now.

The easiest solution would be for Ga Tech to lead the way in forming a new space, since they already have a proven network and endowment-building track record to sustain something like this. Somehow I feel confident that any science museum would be on the westside and not the east, if only because of the opportunity of square footage, space, and Microsoft's future arrival near Westside Park.

[Gulch]

Originally Posted by bu2

Of course the 1962 plane crash killing a lot of art patrons certainly hampered those efforts.

Even with the renewed emphasis post-crash, Orly set the Atlanta arts community back a couple of decades.

[architect77]

If we were to get any museum it will probably be something related to the history of rap music.

Raleigh has several great museums, all downtown expect for the State Museum of Art which is in West Raleigh.

I think the Natural Science music is the coolest. Lot's of dinosaurs.

Supposedly earning the nickname, "Smithsonian of the South."

https://www.visitraleigh.com/things-.../museum-guide/

There are 3 or 4 State Aquariums along the coast too which are quite good.





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[CleverOne]

Originally Posted by bu2

I think Atlanta's philanthropy is just oriented a different direction. Perhaps more education and less museums. I remember being really underwhelmed by the High Museum and less than impressed by Atlanta's other fine arts. Of course the 1962 plane crash killing a lot of art patrons certainly hampered those efforts.

https://www.ajc.com/news/local-govt-...OvxrkkOGph7OM/

"...Atlanta Mayor Ivan Allen Jr. knew many of the dead. He'd seen them off on their trip in early May; a month later he faced the grim task of helping identify victims and accompanying their remains home from Paris.

"This was my generation... ... these were my friends," the mayor, his voice breaking, told the Atlanta Constitution shortly after hearing of the crash.

103 members of the Atlanta Art Association never made it back from their month-long tour of famed European art galleries. They were among the 130 people killed when Air France Flight 007 crashed off the end of an Orly Airport runway after an aborted takeoff attempt. Investigators later learned that mechanical failure caused the crash. It was the worst single airplane crash at that time...."

Im not sure if you have been in the last couple of years but they have added works by DeGas,Monet.Picasso,Matisse etc.
Where the High really shines is African art both contemporary and historical as well art of the region. like Folk art

[CleverOne]

Originally Posted by architect77

If we were to get any museum it will probably be something related to the history of rap music.

Raleigh has several great museums, all downtown expect for the State Museum of Art which is in West Raleigh.

I think the Natural Science music is the coolest. Lot's of dinosaurs.

Supposedly earning the nickname, "Smithsonian of the South."

https://www.visitraleigh.com/things-.../museum-guide/

There are 3 or 4 State Aquariums along the coast too which are quite good.





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There already is a Trap Musuem .
https://trapmusicmuseum.me/
https://trapmusicmuseum.us/

Atlana has more things to display than rap music and all black music coming out of Atlanta isnt rap
Atlanta should have opened a Georgia Music Hall of Fame museum once the on in Macon closed years ago. It was really good