Smithsonian fees discussed

Rep. Xavier Becerra says he will “fight tooth and nail” against efforts to begin charging admission for the Smithsonian Institution museums, speaking at the first open meeting of its governing board in 162 years.

At the meeting Monday, a questioner suggested that the Smithsonian couldn’t afford to continue offering free access to its museums on the Mall during tough economic times. The response from an audience of about 400 gathered at the National Museum of Natural History was a round of “boos.”

“I don’t think we want to do that to Americans because what we possess is not only fabulous but hallowed,” said Mr. Becerra, California Democrat. “Anyone who wants to charge, you have to walk through me.”

Nobody in the audience was bold enough to challenge him.

Still, one new member of the Smithsonian board said Americans have become “too inward thinking” on investing in science and culture.

John McCarter Jr., the president and chief executive of Chicago’s Field Museum who serves on the Smithsonian Board of Regents, said China, South Africa and many Persian Gulf nations are “investing big time” in science, culture and history.

“Far be it from me to speak against free admission, so I won’t do that,” Mr. McCarter said. “Free admission is great,” as long as it doesn’t come at the cost of deferred maintenance, hiring freezes and neglected research budgets.

“That is a dead end,” he said. “We can’t provide [free admission] by underinvesting in these institutions.”

Smithsonian officials have struggled with how to tackle a $2.5 billion backlog on maintenance for its 19 museums, the National Zoo and research centers. The museum complex relies on Congress to fund about 70 percent of its $1 billion annual budget, but lawmakers have pressed the Smithsonian to become more self-reliant.

The wide-ranging discussion was the board’s first public meeting in its history. The two-hour session was devoted mostly to questions and answers, though board Chairman Roger W. Sant said the format could change in future public meetings.

Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr., serves as chancellor of the regents and was scheduled to lead the meeting, but canceled because of a last-minute commitment.

The meeting was part of a series of governance reforms undertaken after former Smithsonian Secretary Lawrence M. Small drew scrutiny for his spending and compensation.

Mr. Sant gave a summary of the Smithsonian’s finances. Declines in the stock market, he said, have cost the Smithsonian’s endowment about $200 million since its peak of more than $1 billion in late 2007. Since June, the endowment has declined about 14 percent.

No major changes were planned for the Smithsonian’s endowment, but Mr. Sant said officials were becoming more conservative with investments.

Secretary G. Wayne Clough said the Smithsonian raised $135.6 million in the fiscal year that ended Sept. 30. On Monday, the board approved a $6 million gift from Airbus and will rename an IMAX theater for the European aircraft maker at its National Air and Space Museum annex, in Chantilly, Va.

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