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| The Newseum is closing its doors. |
This 2020 leaves a level of uncertainty for the folks who actually cover the news. Their work is being undermined by Donald J. Trump, a handful of overpaid agitators who promote opinion instead of news and social media. You get more information from social media than journalism. Even though, social media often misleads and distracts from facts, Americans trust their Facebook and Twitter sources than the "gray pages."
The Newseum was an interactive museum that promotes free expression and the First Amendment to the United States Constitution, while tracing the evolution of communication. The seven-level, 250,000-square-foot museum is located in Washington, D.C., and features fifteen theaters and fifteen galleries.
For more than a decade, it gave visitors a close-up look at the Berlin Wall, 9/11 coverage, the FBI, Pulitzer Prize-winning photographs and more. Many people from around the country stood in line to get a last glimpse of the exhibits before the location closes.
"I love walking through the whole line and seeing the whole thing," said Cindy Slattery, a visitor from Maryland.
The Newseum in Washington, D.C. has welcomed visitors each day for more than 10 years with a display of newspaper front pages from all 50 U.S. states and countries around the world.
"You find out what matters to people all over," said Slattery.
Slattery brought her friends to see the Newseum for the first time on its last day on Pennsylvania Avenue to celebrate the country’s First Amendment and free press.
"It's like being able to reach out and touch history when you go to this museum," said Todd Morgan.
It gives visitors a chilling look at Pulitzer Prize-winning photographs, an opportunity to touch a piece of the Berlin Wall, and a reminder of the journalists killed for doing their job.
"Just get different perspectives," said Laschelle McKay.
The Newseum and its $25 admission fee has had to compete with free museums, all within walking distance of the Capitol.
Its closure brought up a bigger discussion for some visitors about the future of journalism.
"The challenges it's facing to stay alive and stay relevant."
Thomas McKay knows this firsthand. He owns two newspapers.
"I wonder where communities are really going to get their news in the future," said McKay.
However, McKay is confident journalism will live on just like many of the exhibits in the Newseum.
Their future permanent home remains uncertain, but the public seems eager to revisit their stories.
Some of the museum's work will appear in online, public or traveling exhibits while the search continues to find a new location.
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