Museums

Let's be honest. I don't particularly like museums. It's not that I don't appreciate the work of others. I do. And I want to LOVE museums. There is so much out there that is virtuous, lovely, of good report and praiseworthy ... I just find that many museums are super stuffy and have rules that can be a bit ridiculous.

Today, Cyndi invited me to go with her to the Faberge Exhibit at the Legion of Honor. I have a Russian sister and so I have a soft spot for Russian art. Rog said he would stay home with Sarah (it was nap time) but since Will is still portable and a great companion he came with us. Cyndi and I got a little turned around on the way there while activating our frontal cortex, but we made it. Parking was a little tricky, but again, not a huge deal. When we got inside the museum we learned that there was a 25-30 minute line for the exhibit. No big deal. I was with good company. Will was asleep and Cyndi and I always have a lot to talk about.


When we got to the front of the line, the security man informed me that I would not be able to take William in the stroller to see the exhibit. Apparently, it would be "unsafe" for him because there were so many people looking at the exhibit and they might bump into my baby. I assured the man that we would be careful and that we weren't worried. He then proceeded to tell me it would be better if I went to get a "smaller" umbrella stroller, indicating that it would be a "safer" option. Mind you, my baby is S.L.E.E.P.I.N.G. I was not about to move him. And honestly, Will was in the snap-n-go. That's right, strapped in his CAR SEAT attached to the stroller frame. Nope. I wasn't buying that the umbrella stroller would be safer than the car seat that is designed to withstand two cars colliding. Another woman sitting at the security checkpoint proceeded to tell me about using a baby carrier to take my child in to the exhibit. Again, I'm really not willing to wake up my sleeping baby. And besides, it would be super difficult to carry my baby in addition to my diaper bag and camera bag. No thank you. The two also thought it would be a good idea to have one of us go through the exhibit and then switch off to let the other one go through. Really? The whole point of going together was to enjoy the exhibit together. Neither Cyndi nor I had the desire to go through alone.

Now, before you think I am completely unreasonable with all of their helpful options I just want to point out that the real reason they didn't want my stroller in the exhibit was because I could potentially bump into another patron and potentially cause a problem. But come on. The exhibit - by law - has to be wheelchair accessible. My stroller is not as large or as cumbersome as a wheelchair. And frankly, I was feeling quite discriminated against. The guy said that if I had been there earlier in the day, when it wasn't so crowded, I could take my stroller in. They weren't holding any of the people in wheelchairs back because it was "too crowded." The part that makes it even more frustrating is there isn't any sign anywhere that indicates the stroller policy. But not really a stroller policy because I could have rented an umbrella stroller and used that instead?? But wait, a family with an umbrella stroller wasn't allowed to take theirs in either. Instead, the couple got to C.A.R.R.Y. their 3-year-old and their bags through the over-crowded exhibit.

Well, as you can imagine, Cyndi and I didn't budge. After about 10 minutes of standing at the front of the line, the lady said if we wanted to wait until the line died down we could go in with the stroller. OK. We decided to wait. A few minutes later, the unrelenting security guard went on break and a very friendly security guard replaced him. Coincidentally the line also disappeared. We then told the new guy that "they said when the line got smaller we could go in with the stroller." The new guard immediately welcomed us in and pointed out a more accessible way to navigate the exhibit.

We were in and out in 10 minutes and were happily on our way. The exhibit was beautiful. I loved the intricate eggs, the jewelry and the vases. (Much of which was from Tiffany and Co.) We stopped by a couple of Cyndi's favorite pieces in the permanent collection before heading home.


I guess what this rant boils down to is how unfriendly some employees can be to those of us with children. I am very glad I didn't have Sarah with me. I don't even want to start thinking about what a nightmare that could have been.

Let's just say I have no desire to get a pass to the Legion of Honor and the de Young Museums. (it's a joint pass and we had a sippy cup issue at the de Young.) However, I may suspend my boycott for the King Tut exhibit ... Maybe we'll just have to leave the kids at home.