Attractions in Jacksonville...we need way more.

[Charles Hunter]

Even if the museums don't cooperate on the level jaxlongtimer suggests, they could coordinate for "JaxPass" (or a really clever name) tickets giving admission to multiple attractions. I've seen thee in other cities, why not here?

[fsu813]

Jax history of both music and Black culture, along with other aspects of Jax history, could be either incorporated into the new MOSH featuring a more sophisticated approach to Jax history than before, or, if not a good fit there, in a museum associated with the Jax History Center, where archives already exist to support museum documentation, etc. and could be further expanded to elevate the museum presentations.

I think combining niche museums into one larger museum would create more visitors to each niche by cross marketing than if they were standalones plus create operating efficiencies. To add others, maybe the Jax fire museum, Norman Studios, Ritz,  Orleck, etc. could be brought under a single administrative umbrella for these same reasons. This approach would also broaden community support, increasing the chances of sustainable success for all of them.

I would offer, as an example, the Ringling Museum in Sarasota.  It is an art museum, circus museum, historic home and elaborate gardens, plus high end restaurant, all rolled into a nearly full day experience.  An unusual mix of interests yet it thrives in a way that I doubt any one element could do so on its own.

This is a very interesting economic and planning dilemma that I've witnessed as a consultant in many historically excluded communities across the country.

Economically, museums are generally money pits. On the other hand, cultural heritage can be a strong economic driver for neighborhood revitalization.

In the Sarasota example, the Ringling contributes very little, if any, economic impact on the nearby New Town neighborhood, which is Sararsota's version of Jax's LaVilla.

In Chicago's Bronzeville neighborhood, the Harold Washington Cultural Center is a major destination in that neighborhood. Like the Ritz, its a museum/live performing arts venue. In Harlem, the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture is a New York Public Library Branch that plays a similar role in that community.

People come to these destinations within the neighborhoods where the exact history was created and they intentionally spend money a shops and restaurants adjacent to them. While it may not benefit downtown, it does get the dollar recycling in the neighborhood before it leaves, creating jobs and new business opportunities birthing real neighborhood level economic revitalization. A side benefit his the cultural heritage becomes active as opposed to being an obituary of what was, in the form of a heritage marker or plaque.

When evaluated from that perspective, perhaps its fine to invest in the Ritz instead of taking LaVilla's story to MOSH to be controlled by a group who's should not be in charge of that story simply because its not theirs to tell.

In Durkeeville, the neighborhood does have a historic ballpark and structures directly linked to people like Hank Aaron. On the surface, it would seem to be an appropriate low hanging fruit for them to take advantage of their stadium and unique story to generate a rebirth of life on Myrtle instead of that story being shifted to the Sports & Entertainment District.

With that said, breaking down the silos, unified promotion and making our various attractions more complimentary seems like another low hanging fruit from a tourism perspective.

All in all, I find the various positions debated in different communities on this subject to be quite interesting.

To be clear, I have no issue with museums being physically scattered in the areas where the history they honor takes place.  I was mostly suggesting that administrative, fund raising and marketing functions be shared under one entity to create both operating efficiencies (especially needed since many lose dollars as you note) and cross promotion.  Many of these niche museums may take as little as an hour to less than a full day to enjoy, so combining them to make a full day of exploration to more fully justify a trip, especially for out of towners, could benefit all of them.  For locals, cross pollination of history enriches all of us.

Non-profit consolidation and/or pooling of resources is a trending topic nationally. The Non-Profit Center of NEFL has been facilitating conversations locally.