9/07/2007

The Gomorrah test for history museums

From the International Herald Tribune:
U.S. museum directors and curators increasingly sense opportunity - and profitability - in the low test scores that characterize Americans' familiarity with their country's history.
From the man who designed the ALPLM (same source): "There is nothing we wouldn't do to get people in."

From James McPherson (same source): "... but if 3,000 people a day are going to the Lincoln Museum, and if even 1 percent are inspired by Lincoln, it may be having a positive impact."

This last sounds like Lot arguing with God. "If even one little child is turned toward the veneration of your servant Lincoln, will you spare this wretched place?"

McPherson has invented the Gomorrah Test for History Museums.