The National Constitution Center

The National Constitution Center is located directly across from Independence Hall.  From inside the very modern looking Indiana limestone and glass building, visitors look across Independence mall at the brick building where the document that inspired the NCC was actually signed.  NCC has decided to approach their site in a way that is different from most museums.  They focus more on the concept of the Constitution rather than on the actual paper document.  Exhibitions are related to the concepts found in the Constitution of the United States including an emphasis on voting rights and a soon-to-open exhibit about Prohibition.  Because of this departure from an object-centered approach, the artifact collection of NCC is limited. For this blog, I have chosen to write about one of the many interactive found in the main exhibition are.

 “Discover Your Presidential Candidate Match” was installed as a way to promote active citizenship.  Visitors enter a mock voting booth, complete with curtains to shield the visitors’ responses, and answer questions regarding social issues that they find most important on a touch screen.  Their answers to these questions match them with the candidate that holds similar views.  The installation was created to coincide with the 2012 presidential election.

  

This object is important to a variety of people.   Each topic chosen offers a variety of possible viewpoints.  For example, if a visitor selects “Immigration” as an important issue, one questioned asked will be to tell if they Strongly Agree, Agree, Disagree, or Strongly Disagree with the statement “Illegal or undocumented immigrants may not claim any financial benefits from the government.”  At the bottom of the screen are descriptions of what an opposing or agreeing viewpoint might be.  Young people and visitors that are uninformed about political issues may find this exhibit interesting.  They can learn about the candidates and the differing viewpoints of important issues.  Young people that are too young to vote may also find this exhibit interesting.  They get a real voting experience and learn about issues effecting the presidential election. 

This display exists to educate visitors about the candidates in this year’s presidential election.  Additionally, the museum is promoting active citizenship and promoting visitors to exercise their right to vote.  It was placed here to coincide with the current presidential election.

This display is in the inner middle ring of the NCC’s main exhibition hall.   This inner ring is meant to promote active citizenship and community involvement. It is near other exhibits that also pertain to voting.  Also nearby is a podium where visitors can pretend to be sworn is as the president of the United States.

The labeling surrounding the “Discovering Your Presidential Candidate Match” is politically very neutral.   The text encourages visitors to use the exhibit to learn about the candidates and issues that are important to them.

Near this exhibit is a timeline of constitutional amendments. Included in this is an interactive informing visitors if they would have been able to vote in different time periods.  The realization that many visitors did not gain the right to vote until many years after the constitution was originally drafted could lead to a better understanding and appreciation for the “Discovering…” exhibit as well as voting in general. 

And interest in politics and political issues might further one’s interest in this particular display.  Those that are not knowledgeable in political issues may also find this exhibit interesting because they will be able to learn from it.

This may not be interesting to those that are well informed in politics.  Additionally, it may not be interesting to those that have very little interest in political issues.

International visitors from countries that do not have the same voting rights as American citizens may have a different viewpoint of this object.   They may not understand completely the ability to choose a candidate based on their personal viewpoints of political issues.

Other experiences to engage visitors could include videos of debates from politicians about important issues.   An interactive that asks visitors to deeply explore political issues in a mock-debate with other visitors or computer generated arguments from politicians may also help create an experience for visitors.

Overall, I had a great time at the National Constitution Center.  I cannot wait to return and see the Prohibition exhibit!  And, after signing the Constitution in a hall surrounded by statues of the men that created the Constitution, and receiving my own copy of the Constitution that now resides in my wallet, I feel like an expert  on the U.S. Constitution!