Carrie Christoffersen, curator of collections at the Newseum, has been with the media-oriented museum since 1997. She has been heavily involved over the past six years in the planning of the museum’s new 250,000-square-foot home in downtown Washington, set to open in the first quarter of 2008.
What are some new features and highlights of the Newseum?
There are six public floors with a wealth of galleries and theaters, including a 4-D theater with a presentation on critical news stories in history. Since the building is located on Pennsylvania Avenue, we will also have a history of the street, with information on past inaugurals, funeral processions and other events.
How is the progress coming?
The first satellite news truck in history is already in place on the course level, and an armored pickup truck that was used by TIME magazine in Yugoslavia and Bosnia in the 1990s is also in the building. Now that they’re moved in, they’re not coming out, ever!
What’s your favorite item in the exhibits?
I really like some of the oldest items. We have a gallery dedicated completely to preprinted news, including a cuneiform tablet from Samaria. On the flip side, we also have Bob Woodruff’s flak jacket from Iraq and a red sweater Helen Thomas wore during a press conference with President Bush.
What will happen to Freedom Park in Arlington?
We will move many of the pieces from the park into the new building. We’ve already installed the guard tower that goes along with sections of the Berlin Wall, which were both previously in the park. The memorial to journalists will be exhibited indoors in the new place in an amazing structure.
Why do you think it’s important to archive and preserve news coverage?
There’s no way to have a free society without a free press. The role of the fourth estate is critical to me, and noting how that work is done is imperative. The moment you start to ignore or forget about it is when things start to falter.
