Patriotism Museum Reopens in Atlanta

More than seven years later, the 9/11 attacks still bring tears to the eyes of visitors to the newly reopened National Museum of Patriotism in downtown Atlanta.

Katharine Burnette, a 17-year-old from Roswell, and her mother, Melanie Eyre, were at the museum on its re-opening day Sunday, viewing a partially finished exhibit on the 2001 terror attacks.

"Some of it touched my heart a little, especially the 9/11," Burnette said. "It stinks when the planes hit the buildings."

The museum closed its former location, on Spring Street in Midtown, in October 2007, and reopened Sunday at 275 Baker St. N.W., across the street from Centennial Olympic Park

Visitors to "The Immigrant Experience," anchored by a 25-foot Statue of Liberty torch, can feel a piece of salvaged bronze railing and see old Ellis Island bricks their ancestors might have stepped on. A "Hall of Patriots" with Helen Keller, Ronald Reagan and Rosa Parks has been expanded to include recipients of the Medal of Honor and the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

"We want you to define for yourself what patriotism means to you," said Jim Balster, director of exhibits and vice chairman of the museum. He said it tries to "show how others express patriotism."

Visitors are met by a large foam sculpture of American symbols --- Mount Rushmore, the Iwo Jima flag raising and an American eagle, all woven throughout the Stars and Stripes.

"We're not a history museum," Balster said, adding that his museum explores all aspects of patriotism, past and present.

Nick Snider, a retired UPS executive and founder of the museum, worried several years ago that Americans were "falling out of love with their country."

So he decided to create the museum, jump-starting it with his collection of wartime "sweetheart" jewelry --- pins, earrings and lockets sent by Soldiers to their girlfriends and wives --- from World War II and later.

Snider was putting the finishing touches on his collection Saturday. He beamed at the bustle around him.

"It's inspirational, emotional and truly relevant," Snider said as he stood in the Hall of Patriots.

Some exhibits, such as "Covert Patriotism" --- highlighting the CIA, Navy SEALs and other special-ops organizations --- and "One America," with artifacts from the 9/11, are under construction.

Snider started the museum with $2 million of his own money. Other major funders include Bank of America, Bellsouth, Comcast, Georgia Power and UPS as well as private donors. Using Atlanta Convention and Visitors Bureau calculations, the museum estimates it could have as many as 500,000 visitors a year.

Burnette's mother, Eyre, who described herself as a liberal Democrat, said,"I think this appeals to people of all political persuasions. It's not slanted to any one group; it's for everyone."