Shriver defends museum revamp

[Kadie]

Shriver defends museum revamp

A focus on women would allow facility to survive, she says.

By Gary Delsohn -- Bee Capitol Bureau
Published 2:15 am PDT Saturday, October 16, 2004

California first lady Maria Shriver on Friday defended her plan to transform the California State History Museum into one that celebrates women, contending it's the only way to keep the downtown Sacramento facility financially viable.

"People think this is a big, flourishing, state-supported financed museum, and the facts are obviously quite different," she said in an interview that she initiated.

"This museum has been struggling way before me, since its inception. Its attendance is way down. It's never had a sound business model, and I went in there at their request to help."

No one disputes that the California State History Museum in the secretary of state's building at 10th and O streets is teetering. Privately funded, it's running out of money and could close in the next few months, according to Ross McGuire, its director.

But Shriver's plan - her first big controversy as first lady - played a role in the resignations of three museum board members who have said they don't want a women's museum to replace the current facility that showcases California's state archives and history.

more...
http://www.sacbee.com/content/politics/story/11109019p-12025466c.html

[saracat]

1. Whoopee! Shriver does her fluff thing.Trying to make up

for staying married to Arnold. Her museum won't make up for the fact that she is an insult to women everywhere. This is women who stated on Opra that if she were raped Arnold would look on her as "damaged goods"! Gag!

[AlCzervik]

2. my town has a shortfall of $7 million for education

we need money for schools not her pet projects right now.