HISTORICAL MUSEUMS AND THEIR OPTIONS
BY PAUL GUNTHER

September 19, 2004 - The New York Times

To the Editor:
There is an alternative to the all-or-nothing scenarios of merger or continued independence of the city's
leading historical museums (''The Future of the Past,'' by Russell Shorto, Sept. 12).
The cultural institutions approved at ground zero call for both a memorial-linked museum as well as a stillnascent
Freedom Center. At either location, a historical pathway exploring the forces, decisions and
personalities that shaped New York City and State from colonial roots to the present day would illuminate not
only the events of 9/11 but also the complex reasons that the World Trade Center existed where it did.
A permanent display of objects and manuscripts, tied as necessary to the social studies curriculums dictated
by the Board of Regents, could draw from long-term loans from the collections of all historical museums.
Leadership now from Albany and City Hall would prompt the cooperation required. This would increase
awareness of the distinct yet interrelated missions of the lending institutions, thus prompting the thousands
of anticipated ground zero visitors to explore further at their respective headquarters. It is not too late to
have it both ways.
Paul Gunther
New York
The writer, vice president of the New-York Historical Society from 1995 to 2003, is president of the
Institute of Classical Architecture and Classical America.

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