Critique of Steamtown: A Second-Rate Collection in a Third-Rate Location
Transportation curator John White describes Steamtown as a second-rate collection on a third-rate site, raising questions about its designation as a national historic site.
John White, the transportation curator of the Smithsonian, has voiced strong criticism regarding Steamtown's designation as a national historic site. He referred to it as 'a second-rate collection of trains on a third-rate site.'
This assessment came to light when Pennsylvania Representative Joseph McDade proposed making Steamtown a national historic site, sparking a debate about its historical significance.
White's remarks highlight concerns about the quality and relevance of the collection at Steamtown, suggesting that it may not meet the standards typically associated with national historic sites.