Museum Charges

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Date
Dear Paleonetters,

Norman makes a good point in that, without admission charges, much of
the museum's work (and staff) could not be funded. Sadly, this is just a
manifestation of government's desire to evade (financial) responsibility
for the upkeep of it's nation's heritage. Having said that, the Natural
History Museum's 5.50 GBP is not unreasonable compared with museums here
in Denmark and other London and UK "attractions" (I dislike the word as
while it is desireable that museums should attract people inside, that
is not their sole function - although many politicians would have us
believe otherwise).

Museums here, in theory, should not suffer from lack of funding as the
taxes here (50%! - help!) ought to be adequate to support them. However,
admission charges are still sometimes levied. The Zoological Museum in
Copenhagen (which can also be regarded as the "natural history" museum
too) charges the equivalent of about 4.00GBP but has only around 25% of
the exhibition volume and displays of the BMNH, whereas the Geological
Museum here is free.

Regards,
Mike Bidgood

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Dr. Michael D. Bidgood
Geological Survey of Denmark & Greenland (GEUS)
Thoravej 8, DK-2400 Copenhagen NV, Denmark
Switchboard:   (+45) 38 142000
Direct:            (+45) 38 142708
Fax:               (+45) 38 142050
E-Mail:            mdb@geus.dk