According to the Newseum, it set out to find a partner that would allow it to remain in the building, which the Freedom Forum built for $450 million. But conversations with philanthropists didn’t pan out. Museum officials then tried to find a way to share the space in the seven-story building, through lease buybacks and other avenues. Ultimately, though, the museum said it found that selling the building was the only path forward.
“We stand ready to continue much of the Newseum’s important work for decades to come — through digital outreach, traveling exhibits and web-based programs in schools around the world, as well as hopefully in a new physical home in the area,” Peter Prichard, chairman of the Newseum’s board of trustees, said in a statement, hinting at what the institution’s future looked like.
On the same day that the museum made its announcement, BuzzFeed began the process of laying off hundreds of staffers, including several high-profile reporters. This was in addition to cuts this week at Verizon Media Group, which includes Yahoo, AOL and HuffPost, and Gannett.
Last August, the Newseum faced fierce criticism from journalists after it was discovered that T-shirts reading “You Are Very Fake News” were being sold in the gift shop. The museum apologized and pulled the merchandise.
Weeks later — unrelated to the T-shirts — Scott Williams, the president and chief operating officer, announced he would be leaving the museum to be closer to family in Tennessee.
As for the large tablet that has the First Amendment etched on it on a facade of the building, it will likely not remain once Johns Hopkins moves in. It is considered property of the museum, not the space.
Article source: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/25/arts/design/newseum-sold-johns-hopkins.html?partner=rss&emc=rss
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