WASHINGTON, Oct. 21 (UPI) -- When Kathryn Jones began to visit Washington's museums in January, she didn't plan to make it her full-time pursuit. But after 112 exhibits and hundreds of hours spent inside the Smithsonian's galleries, she discovered the miracle of the exhibits' free access.
Somewhere between the Smithsonian American History Museum's "America on the Move" display and the Postal Museum's overlooked treasures, Jones found herself on a journey to read every sign and description at every museum as she took in the exhibits.
Jones' quest reshaped her understanding of curiosity and the quiet power of public learning. "I think the more that we know, the more stories we hear, the better we can empathize with other people and problem-solve ourselves," she said.
Now, as the doors to the Smithsonian museums remain closed amid the government shutdown, Jones and others like her are left waiting outside, reminded of what the city, and the nation, loses when history is temporarily out of reach.
Jones, a 33-year-old marketing and project management professional, started at Washington's museums in January as a personal challenge during a career break, but that quickly turned into an ambitious exploration of the Smithsonian Institution.
