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I live near Philly, and I finally got to the National Constitution Center this weekend. My boyfriend and I are both very patriotic, even jingoistic, history buffs, so you would think if anyone would love the place, we would.
But we were terribly disappointed. They put so much effort into having these dazzling multi-media exhibits, but there is little real substance. I didn't learn any new information, and I read every single part of every exhibit. Sure, I've read a lot about the founding fathers, the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and the developments of all the subsequent amendments, but you would think I would be able to learn some new things that I never knew before!
The multi-media presentations are apparently designed for people with ADD. Light shows, animation, interactive touch screens, all cater to short attention spans. The few documents and "artifacts" on display are all reproductions; nothing is original. There is even an alcove where the sign says "come in here to see one of the original printings of the Constitution that was distributed to the public." Then you go into the alcove, and read a small sign that says this is also a reproduction, and that the original printed document is stored away for safekeeping.
A lot of effort is put into emphasizing the shortcomings of the Constitution rather than the fact that this document was unprecedented in the history of the planet (we were reminded multiple times that the founding fathers "neglected" to address slavery, women's rights, etc.)
And a lot of PC stuff was thrown in, almost to counteract any notion that this was one of the greatest documents ever drafted, or that our nation is the greatest ever. Don't want to be too proud of ourselves, I guess.
A lot of attention is given to the "evolution" of the Constitution, and all of the later amendments, lots and lots of civil rights advancements (plus a whole thing about all of the wonderful things FDR and the New Deal brought us), and very little attention was given to the original drafters of the Constitution. Little or no biographical info, very little about why they did this in the first place. Who were these men, what motivated them, how did their faith come into play? None of that. Oh, they did mention "no taxation without representation" so I guess that covered it.
Location: The place where the road & the sky collide
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Originally Posted by TracySam
I live near Philly, and I finally got to the National Constitution Center this weekend. My boyfriend and I are both very patriotic, even jingoistic, history buffs, so you would think if anyone would love the place, we would.
But we were terribly disappointed. They put so much effort into having these dazzling multi-media exhibits, but there is little real substance. I didn't learn any new information, and I read every single part of every exhibit. Sure, I've read a lot about the founding fathers, the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and the developments of all the subsequent amendments, but you would think I would be able to learn some new things that I never knew before!
The multi-media presentations are apparently designed for people with ADD. Light shows, animation, interactive touch screens, all cater to short attention spans. The few documents and "artifacts" on display are all reproductions; nothing is original. There is even an alcove where the sign says "come in here to see one of the original printings of the Constitution that was distributed to the public." Then you go into the alcove, and read a small sign that says this is also a reproduction, and that the original printed document is stored away for safekeeping.
A lot of effort is put into emphasizing the shortcomings of the Constitution rather than the fact that this document was unprecedented in the history of the planet (we were reminded multiple times that the founding fathers "neglected" to address slavery, women's rights, etc.)
And a lot of PC stuff was thrown in, almost to counteract any notion that this was one of the greatest documents ever drafted, or that our nation is the greatest ever. Don't want to be too proud of ourselves, I guess.
A lot of attention is given to the "evolution" of the Constitution, and all of the later amendments, lots and lots of civil rights advancements (plus a whole thing about all of the wonderful things FDR and the New Deal brought us), and very little attention was given to the original drafters of the Constitution. Little or no biographical info, very little about why they did this in the first place. Who were these men, what motivated them, how did their faith come into play? None of that. Oh, they did mention "no taxation without representation" so I guess that covered it.
Has anyone else had a similar experience?
I haven't bothered to go the 10 miles to see it. Channels 3 & 10 have pushed exhbits there & it''s plain to me that it''s designed for families. That tells me that the focus is kids. Too many places with real records in the area to go there, in my opinion.
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