Philadelphia, tourists, indifferent to Seaport Museum and other Penn's Landing attractions
THE OLYMPIA is sinking. The historic vessel, part of the victorious fleet at the Battle of Manila Bay during the Spanish-American War, its hull rotting, sits at Penn's Landing needing about $3.5 million in repairs. That it hasn't been out of the water in about 65 years and the state can't or won't come up with the funds to rehab it is a testament to the ship's place on the list of important Philadelphia historical treasures.
THE OLYMPIA is sinking.
The historic vessel, part of the victorious fleet at the Battle of Manila Bay during the Spanish-American War, its hull rotting, sits at Penn's Landing needing about $3.5 million in repairs. That it hasn't been out of the water in about 65 years and the state can't or won't come up with the funds to rehab it is a testament to the ship's place on the list of important Philadelphia historical treasures.
The Olympia's problems and the general ho-hum response from anyone who might be able to save it is a poignant commentary on the wasted opportunity that the Independence Seaport Museum and its attendant "attractions" have become.
Aside from standing as a monument to political scandal and acting as a publicly-funded marina to the well-connected, the 50-year-old museum commands some of the most valuable real estate in the city. But that it does so is actually a detriment to Philadelphia's tourist offerings and a significant reason that Penn's Landing can never seem to be able to move forward.
Don't get me wrong. The city should honor the important place that the mighty Delaware River and its longshoremen have contributed to the economic vibrancy of our region. It should just be done somewhere else.
The Seaport Museum and its previous incarnation as the Port of History Museum have never been able to inspire crowds to take advantage of the prime location that it enjoys on our severely underdeveloped waterfront.
The museum averages about 100,000 visitors a year - fewer than 9,000 a month and 300 a day. It's hard to determine how many of them are there for special events or for the actual museum. Having attended a few events there, I can say that the building is spectacular and the exhibits are fascinating.
But with all the other cultural and entertainment offerings in the region, shelling out the $12 admission to view those exhibits seems to be a bit much for visitors, natives or anyone seeking a fun diversion on the Delaware. Simply put, the Seaport museum isn't even on their radar.
Due to poor planning by previous generations, political deals that lined the pockets of those with connections and some unfortunate geography, our riverfront sits mostly fallow.
The central Delaware riverfront, especially at Penn's Landing, is the only way the city can connect with the water, physically and as an economic engine.
The city is in the planning and design phases of improvements to piers near the Ben Franklin Bridge for use as recreation areas. The recognition that we need to use our waterfront resources in the best way possible is driving force of the ongoing Central Delaware master-planning process.
In a budget season in which everything is on the table, including the libraries which are a refuge for children who merely want to read and use the Internet, the continued wasted opportunity at the Seaport Museum site must be a part of any discussion.
While I'm no urban planner, I would say that almost anything else that would be placed in that building would draw more people to Penn's Landing. Speaking from experience, the museum exhibits are generally not engaging for young families and the market for boat enthusiasts is a bit narrow. This niche can't possibly justify the location of the museum in the only public building on the waterfront of any size.
A more public-friendly use of the space for a wider audience has been a long time coming. As we talk turkey in Council and debate pet projects and city waste, this location must produce more for all of us and serve as the impetus for continued development on the river.
There are a number of worthy locations up and down the river that might be right for the museum. Locating it in one of the maritime neighborhoods like Port Richmond or Pennsport could actually enhance its connection to the river.
Philadelphia needs a destination at Penn's Landing that makes it more than just a place to complete a waterfront stroll.
The metaphor of the Olympia's sinking by neglect couldn't be more telling of the overall use of the location. As the Olympia moves on, so should the Seaport Museum.
Reach A.J. Thomson at