WSHS Donor wall FAQ

Looks as though the WSHS is doing a little campaigning for the building of their controversial donor wall through a FAQ and timeline on their site. As I'm sure historians would agree taking an opinionated stance on events can taint their accuracy in portraying those events. Short of their own blog, I suppose this is a good way for them to get their opinions about the donor wall out and about. Seems their mostly concerned, according to the FAQ, about making the area more secure by limiting access and won't consider an archway to avoid accidental motor traffic on the Bridge of Glass. Who ever said anything about another archway?

Most of the FAQ is very confrontative asking skewed questions like "Have you violated your easement agreement with the City of Tacoma?", "Why is the History Museum denying direct access to the Bridge of Glass?", "Why do you have an anti-pedestrian attitude?" (my favorite), and other gems. Oh, and I'm pretty sure Mount Rainier can't be seen at all from the Museum's main arch, as is noted in one FAQ answer.

All in all, a good read. Seems like a bit of grasping at straws but, in the interest of opinion-based information, it's good to have out there.

Link to the FAQ

I fancy we could come up with our equally opinionated FAQ. Shoot your questions and answers into the comments below.

Previously on KFnet

Thanks Jake!

Comments (8) | To Top

10/20/2006 @ 10:53am

Why a wall?
Why not? It's a proven fact that walls make the best place to honor donors. We're pretty sure there's no other shape or form out there in the known universe that would allow for honoring donors, creating a nice urban park/oasis, and at the same time, allowing pedestrian traffic to pass through. No, we're sure that's true. 100%

Is an isolated pocket park secure?
Absolutely! By limiting visibility and access to an area only good-hearted folks are sure to inhabit such an area. There's no reason whatsoever an area should be easily accessible to foot or bike security patrols and police because we know of no examples in Tacoma where crime occurs in an area intended for contemplative public use.

Can you see Mount Rainier from the main Museum archway through the solid building that is the Museum itself?
Sure thing! Not only that, but you can also peer directly though McKinley hill in East Tacoma to see the entire mountain from top to bottom.

by KevinFreitas

10/20/2006 @ 12:22pm

That seems very strange for them to do.

People have been writing letters to the editor against the wall including a member of the Tacoma Planning Commission.

Ultimately, it is the role of the city to make sure that the overall city is pedestrian friendly and designed in a manner so as the reduce crime.

by Erik

10/20/2006 @ 1:46pm

"Why is the History Museum denying direct access to the Bridge of Glass and forcing people to walk past the front entrance of the museum?"

this is a bad FAQ, they arent forcing people to walk past the museum enterance, the are forcing people to walk past the stupid cafe AND the museum store... hence the "dagger in the heart" of the museum's business interests.

when I was in italy, we went to an aquarium that forced people to walk through a maze of gift shops in order to exit the building. Little kids freaked out and ran to the toys as tired parents tried to drag them away pulling the toys out of their hands. If the washington state history museum really wants to get their business interests cooking, I suggest a similar approach.

by RR Anderson

10/20/2006 @ 1:58pm

If they build the wall, the terrorists win. Walls are the manifestation of fear. Love is not a wall. Love is a passageway. Stop the madness.

10/20/2006 @ 2:10pm

I agree. Make love not wall.

10/20/2006 @ 2:19pm

This [the FAQ] is a hokey one sided interview. It's like the Museum invented questions to ask them selves so they could answer the easy questions,and ignore the hard ones, all while looking like they are having a conversation with the City and the Public. Here's a challenge for the Museum: let the public submit questions, and answer the 10 most frequently asked.

by Dave

10/20/2006 @ 4:07pm

People are so overwhelming against a brick wall being built in front of the Bridge of Glass, I don't see how this helps them.

By the way, it has been 6 days since the offer of a glass pane was made to the City of Tacoma. I assume they have rejected the offer.

Congratulations to the City of Tacoma for working toward a more pedestrian friendly city one step at a time.

10/20/2006 @ 7:11pm

You can see Mt. Rainier but you have to be on crack.

by Jennifer T.

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