when I first looked at the greensboro historical museum, the detail work on the exterior and the curved brick walls made it look almost castle-like and made me very excited to see the lobby. as we entered though, I was taken back by the distracting green walls and curved space. I really enjoyed the staircase when I first viewed it, but the closer and longer I looked at it the more I saw a disconnect from the rest of the museum. there are many other instances in which I think features of the museum do not flow together or represent the museum’s identity.
in aspect of the contents of the museum, I think it is very traditional and should represent its exhibitions and events better. the museums slogan is “rich history served fresh daily,” however I don’t believe the interior of the museum coincides with this statement. it has had exhibitions that trace greensboro’s historical roots, and currently has “voices of a city”, “welcome to the gate city”, “confederate firearms”, and “down home: jewish life in north carolina.” the building itself is historic. it began as a first presbyterian church that included a cemetery. the architect that did the lobby space wanted to cover part of the circular wall, therefore extending the lobby space closer to the road, but was not allowed to because of its historical influence.
[thumbnail sketches]
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