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V O L . X X V I I N O. X I V J U LY 1 2 , 2 0 2 1 18 A U G U S TA / WAT E R V I L L E / C E N T R A L M A I N E T he tattered paper banner reads "Bong Hits 4 Jesus" in crudely rendered black letters, and it's the more recent artifact on dis- play at Augusta's developing First Amendment Museum. It may not seem like a museum piece, but it's an illustration of the museum's vision, one that's fueling a soon-to-be- launched $14 million capital campaign. "For a long time, museums really shied away from the present tense," says Christian Cotz, executive director. But the museum planned in Augusta will "show how history matters in real life." e museum is at 184 State St., next door to the governor's residence and in the shadow of the Statehouse, a prime location for school groups and local visitors. But those involved in its development have a much bigger scope in mind. at scope is already growing with online presentations that relate current events to First Amendment freedoms, and have been attended by people from around the world. "We'll start in Maine, but it's a national effort," Cotz says. "Give us 10 years." No dusty artifacts under glass e project is catching momentum at a time when the perception of what makes a museum is evolving, and during an elevated national discussion about what makes a democracy. e museum won't be "dusty arti- facts under glass," but an interactive experience that will help visitors relate the First Amendment to their lives, Cotz says. e banner that reads "Bong Hits 4 Jesus," which the museum is raising $2,500 to preserve, is an example of that. It was cre- ated by Alaska high school student Joseph Frederick, who displayed it at an Olympic torch relay event in 2002. He wanted to see "if the First Amendment still exists in this town." e principal, Deborah Morse, wasn't amused and Frederick was suspended. e Supreme Court ultimately ruled in Morse v. Frederick that schools can restrict student speech when it can be perceived as promot- ing illegal drug use. e case is similar to one the court ruled on in June, finding a cheerleader shouldn't have been punished by her school for an F-bomb-fueled Snapchat rant, since it was off-campus expression. e cases are among a handful that define the limits of student free speech. Cotz says the museum plans to use examples like those to make the First Amendment relevant. P H O T O / J I M N E U G E R An Augusta museum seeks HIGHER PROFILE First Amendment Museum hopes to bring the underpinnings of democracy to life B y M a u r e e n M i L L i k e n F O C U S For a long time, museums really shied away from the present tense. [The First Amendment Museum] will show how history matters in real life. — Christian Cotz First Amendment Museum Christian Cotz, executive director of the First Amendment Museum, in Augusta, says the museum hopes to make an impact on a national scale.

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