Museums in Exposition Park

It is good news that the L.A. County Natural History Museum is contemplating a new facility (Dec. 16), but I would hope the museum would stay in Exposition Park now that the threat of pro football is gone. Why not tear down the Coliseum (and the Sports Arena) and keep only the famous peristyle as an architectural feature or backdrop to an amphitheater and in turn create space for an expanded museum complex?

A bigger idea for everyone would be to consider splitting the current museum into two or more focused museums within the area. We need an expanded “natural history” museum, but we should feature the museum’s history collections in a new “cultural history museum.”

I recall there was to be an elementary magnet school with the Science Center. Why not add a middle and/or high school magnet school to these history museums and turn Exposition Park into an “education park”? This park is in the heart of our city and next to a major university. It is already a beautiful place with its historic rose garden that is utilized by thousands of individuals and families each weekend. We need to acknowledge what we have there and make better use of it.

NOEL KORTEN

Los Angeles

*

Spokeswoman Chris Hills said that “with today’s MTV generation you have to present your exhibits and collections very differently.” I disagree. One of the most disappointing aspects of our recent museum trips have been all the “bells and whistles” that accompany the exhibits. They provide a major distraction and do not allow children to view the real thing. There is never enough time to actually use a computer program in-depth and thus it becomes a quick game. I have seen children flock to push buttons, ignoring fabulous exhibits.

I grew up in Los Angeles. Today, I am a physician and mother of two boys. Children haven’t changed that much from when my mother could drop us off at Exposition Park and we could spend the whole day exploring, reading and experimenting. We love the Discovery Room at the Natural History Museum, but I find the new Science Center overly glitzy, with less information than I would like.

Kids are still innately curious and, given more than two seconds to reflect, can further develop their sense of wonder. We should have more faith in our children as we consider the museums of the future.

SHARON P. MINTZ

Woodland Hills