National Aquarium

Six weeks post-closure and the critters of the shuttered National Aquarium in DC are still in the process of making their way to their new home. While a few hiccups along the way have occurred, including a broken-down transport vehicle in College Park, most are now in the Baltimore area. Several remain in their holding facility, not their final destination, while tanks continue to be prepared and fortunately no casualties have been recorded. Whew! 
When the aquarium first made its appearance in DC, after originating in Cape Cod in the late 1800’s, it would have been impossible to predict its long-term path and fate. 
Non-Descript Entrance

The National Aquarium traces its roots back to the 1870’s when it was tucked under some sort of federal commission. A couple moves after its original digs, including one that found at the site of the Washington Monument, it landed at its Department of Commerce location where it spent the next several decades. In the basement of one of the Agencies. A fully below grade museum in an Agency office building no less. Who does that? Dark,  a little musty, cramped. Unimpressive. 

Why in Commerce? The Commerce building at the time was the largest public office building in the country and houses the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association.  NOAA = people who know water.  It starts to make more sense…..

Beginning in the early 1980s federal funding was stripped and the museum was forced to reestablish as a self-sustaining non-profit to remain viable. A decade ago, similar to other private businesses, it entered into an agreement another firm. This arrangement with the Baltimore location is ultimately proving to be its saving grace.

Employee Tending to the Tank

John Racanelli, CEO of The National Aquarium, says he understands the many views people have of his organization. The likes, dislikes and everything between. He also acknowledges the unusually high ticket-price, a shock for most DC tourists. Racanelli says the cost of operating the plumbing is the single largest expense with the entire volume of water turning over every 2-3 hours. 

He has not ruled out a return to DC in the future while maintaining the Baltimore site is a world-class aquarium. He’s offered some feedback about discounts off the standard $30/adult admission fee. Examples include 2/3 off on Fridays after 5:00, dollar-days upcoming in December and Maryland residents morning discount days. Options to keep driving traffic. 

Admittedly I’m a particularly tough client given I’ve:

  • lived for several years in Florida, snorkeling multiple bodies of water in and around the state
  • toured about every major water-life venue throughout Florida
  • lived in cities with phenomenal zoos, a couple of which have had better water displays 
  • lived close enough to other cities with great aquariums as well. 
Hellbender Hiding in the Corner

All that considered; this experience ranked near the bottom of my value-per-dollar experiences over the last several months. Combine the high operating costs, lack of government funding and location I’m not surprised it’s struggled to this point. Really, who visits the DC area to visit an aquarium? Sometimes a case can be made it’s simply unnecessary to put a National label behind everything; many things are better run without governmental aid or administration.

It’s highly unlikely I make it to the Baltimore branch. Based on their admission fees I’d suspect it’s a more rewarding experience. I think I’d like to hold on to my Florida water-life experiences as topping my memories.  Best wishes to the remaining critters as they make their way up to their new Baltimore digs, or tanks as it were.