The Woodrow Wilson House is currently in the process of conducting our bi-annual Survey of Visitors. This 10 minute interview by our summer interns provides us with a clear snap shot of our visitors, where they are coming from, how they planned their visit and, if we are doing a good job meeting and exceeding their expectations. As director, I am always pleased to see how many of our visitors are so agreeable to giving over a few minutes at the end of their time with us to be interviewed. They provide a valuable service.

Being part of the larger museum community, the Woodrow Wilson House is very keen on evaluating our performance to see if indeed we are meeting the educational and enrichment needs of those we serve. Like all museums we take the views of our public very seriously in terms of meeting our obligations as good stewards of the places and artifacts entrusted to us for the public good. These evaluations also help us to reach out to more visitors and direct our limited marketing resources.

At a recent professional meeting, I raised the discussion of the “for profit museums” that are becoming increasingly popular here in Washington DC and other American cities. Is there something we should be learning from these new players? How is it that the International Spy Museum, the Newseum, Madame Tussauds Wax Museum and the new Museum of Crime and Punishment can charge much higher admission fees – yet have long lines of visitors waiting out front to get in? What can we do as traditional historic house museums to have crowds standing out front? Do we need to raise our admission fees to $25.00? Certainly, we could then afford to run tantalizing advertising on television and radio! Do we need to send our well trained and passionate Museum Guides out to pasture and replace them with audio headsets and computer kiosks? Or do we need to cut down on our actual exhibition and education spaces and devote more square footage to gift shops, theaters and food service!

As you travel this summer, I hope you will take advantage of visiting as many museums and historic sites as you can! Take a look around and see why these authentic places are so very special and hopefully gain an appreciation for the solid stewardship these sites provide, even with their limited resources. But also, take note of those museums and historic sites that are doing an exceptional job and cultivating some cutting edge programs and tour options! When you find some great examples – please let me know and send me an email.

One more thing, if a nice student intern asks if you have time to take a Visitors Survey – please be generous with your time and honest with your evaluations!

Frank J. Aucella