In talking about the roles of museums and their relevance today, Ford W. Bell, president of the American Alliance of Museums, called them educational institutions that are as essential to our communities as schools, libraries and utilities.

There are some eye-opening statistics to support these facilities that are the keepers, protectors, interpreters and exhibitors of our history. It's estimated that 850 million visit museums annually in this country, which is more than the attendance at all major league sporting events combined.That figure includes an estimated 90 million schoolchildren. With museums annually investing more than $2 billion in educational programs, Bell considers them an extension of the classroom.The median price of admission to a museum is just $7, a bargain when compared to a baseball game or theme park ticket. Better yet, 37 percent of America's museums are free.The Smithsonian in Washington, D.C., the world's largest museum and research complex, alone attracts more than 30 million visitors annually. Unfortunately, taking a trip to the Smithsonian is not an option for most American families so that makes their local museums an even more valuable asset.Statistics show that people are more likely to visit their museums during difficult times when they hope to reconnect with things they value. There was a spike in museum attendance, for example, after the 9/11 attacks on our nation.The cost of operating and maintaining smaller museums, which are totally dependent on donors and volunteer support, is a constant struggle. We were dismayed to learn that a small museum in Washington state was forced to remove a collection of World War II-era weapons from an exhibit to avoid having to comply with a new voter-approved law requiring background checks on gun transfers.The law was written to allow for an exception for antiques, but only those produced before 1898. If the The Lynden Pioneer Museum, located near the Canadian border, kept its 11 rifles, it would risk being in violation of the law.Fortunately, Melissa Denny, owner of Pistol Annie's Jewelry and Pawn, realized the financial burden the museum faced and stepped up to cover the $400 cost for background checks for the guns. She said she liked to champion for the underdog because as a small-business owner, "we are one of them."In our increasingly virtual world, Ford Bell calls our museums "among the last bastions of authenticity," serving ages "pre-K-through-life."By JIM ZBICKeditor@tnonline.com