American Magazine: November 2015

These aren’t your ordinary beach balls. They’re smaller,
translucent, and antimicrobial. And they also make for a
DELIGHTFULLY SQUISHY LANDING. Cannonball!
This summer, more than 182,000 visitors flocked to
the shores of the NATIONAL BUILDING MUSEUM’S
BEACH, a pit filled with 1 million balls (three tractor
trailers’ worth). The exhibit spanned 10,000 square feet of
the great hall and was the most popular of the museum’s
Summer Block Party installations (previous offerings
included a giant maze and miniature golf).
BEACHGOERS DIDN’T HAVE TO SLATHER
ON SUNSCREEN or even take off their shoes to enjoy
the 3-1/2-foot-deep ball pit—though some forgot to empty
their pockets. Almost 100 cell phones, 50 Fitbits, 31 Metro
cards, $433.24, and even a few engagement rings were
found on the “ocean floor.”
Playtime—fun for fun’s sake—is generally the purview
of youngsters, says Susan Breitkopf, director of corporate,
foundation, and association relations. “So when adults
are given that chance, THEY COME IN WITH THIS
UNBOUNDED JOY. There’s no purpose, no reason to
play in the ball pit. You just do it because it’s fun.”
Susan Breitkopf
CAS/MA ’99
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COVER: YUTA ONODA PREVIOUS PAGE: PHOTO BY EMILY CLACK
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