Years ago I had the privilege of viewing Michelangelo’s David in the Galleria dell’Accademia in Florence, Italy after-hours. It was magical and humbling being in the space with only a few other people. It was also a bit eerie. I keep thinking about the many museums I have had the opportunity to visit while shooting Museum Access episodes. We are often the only people in the museum other than security. At those moments I think about the countless artifacts and their journeys to these spaces. Some travel from other countries, some from outer space or the ocean’s depths and some from our own country’s past. All with an enduring history of their own.

It’s heartwarming to know that although museums have been closed to the public, they are still active. Many are using their the time to allow their curatorial, conservation and other depts. to work from home. There have been stories of museums such as New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art gathering their own personal protective equipment, gloves, aprons, surgical booties and N95 masks used in their conservation depts. and donating them to NYC medical centers. Staffers that work in museum textile depts. have been gathering materials and producing face masks for the healthcare workers nationwide.

The National WWI Museum in Kansas City was determined to keep its employees on staff by refocusing their tasks. The museum possesses thousands of pages of letters, diaries and journals from WWI. It’s the most comprehensive collection in the world and many items needed to be transcribed. Employees rolled up their sleeves and now well over 1,000 pages have been fully transcribed and will become available in their on-line collections database.

Museums across America are offering their digital collections, curator videos, lectures, classes, activities and more on their updated websites. I know it’s not like the real thing but it offers a great opportunity to revisit our favorite museums and perhaps learn something new.

Without question, it is a strange time for these national treasures we call our museums. But we can find comfort in knowing that all of our favorite cultural objects will continue to live safely within their walls, waiting for the doors to swing open once again… soon.

Remember, you can always visit museums with us on Museum Access. Just go to Amazon Prime Video. Check out the trailers to get a sneak peek and stay tuned for Season 3 coming this May to Public Television / PBS stations nationwide.