It was one of our most popular displays. And then when it became necessary to restore many of the gowns, the decision was made to create an installation that described the many roles of the First Lady throughout our history. Most of our visitors see the interpretation as value-added. The gowns are now beautifully restored, but there's also the chance to understand the very demanding job we ask First Ladies to take on. In my view, interpretation has an important role to play in a national museum involved in education as well as in the simple display of objects.
Most visitors seem to like interpretive exhibitions when they are done well.
Such excellence often involves taking a point of view or at least providing an expert perspective. In fact, we are sometimes open to criticism when we fail to provide an interpretation. Sometimes, interpretive exhibitions create substantial controversy. But controversy can also be destructive to learning and to perceptions of a museum's integrity. We at the Smithsonian are seeking to understand when controversy is productive, when destructive, and how to assure that our integrity and reputation for balance and fairness do not suffer.