National Liberty Museum, in Old City, Goes More Multimedia
By Pat Loeb
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- A quirky little museum near Independence Mall hopes to attract more visitors with a free, interactive "Welcome Gallery" that opens to the public today.
The high-concept National Liberty Museum opened at 321 Chestnut Street in 1995, to celebrate liberty and the men and women around the world working to advance it.
But CEO Gwen Borowsky (far right in photo), daughter of founder Irvin Borowsky, says it was hard to explain his vision to visitors.
"You say 'art museum,' you know what you're going to. You say 'science' (museum).... National Liberty Museum? What does that mean? We wanted people to get it," she tells KYW Newsradio.
So, the welcome gallery now has a theatre with an introductory film, plus iPads with games and quizzes, and some of the glass sculptures from its art collection.
Students from Cook Wissahickon got an advance look yesterday at the welcome gallery. Borowsky hopes they left feeling empowered.
"We want everyone who walks in to leave feeling inspired that they too can make a difference," she says.
Hear the extended interview in this CBS Philly podcast (runs 3:15)...