Museum of the Confederacy to drop "Confederacy" from title?

[dave81276]

Fellow Reenactors, Historical Preservationists, and History enthusiasts,

I thought I'd post this first:
http://www.timesdispatch.com/servlet...=1149193287672

As many of you may know, the MoC is dear to my heart. These fortnightly antics by the Executive Director, President, and Chief Executive Officer Waite Rawls are an embarassment to the institution and a great distraction from the current problems faced by the Museum. I implore any MoC members who read this board to email Mr. Rawls at wrawls@moc.org to express your opinion on a change in the name of the Museum of the Confederacy. You may also like to carbon-copy Eric D. App, the Director of Museum Operations, at eapp@moc.org. I have found Mr. App to be much more responsive. Thank you for your consideration of this issue.

[Canebrake Rifle Guards]

Re: Museum of the Confederacy to drop "Confederacy" from title?

This is a real hot topic and I comment on it reluctantly, but the MoC is near & dear to me, and their woes are my woes. (how to maintain a Civil War facility in Virginia that succeeds - stays true to its mission statement and is financially sound).

I think the peer review done for the MoC by other museum professionals suggested the name change.

The fact is that corporate America will not give money to something with "Confederacy" in its name. The Slavery Museum is having the same problem. Its a touchy subject, these corporations & foundations are just as happy to give their budgeted community dollars to Habitat for Humanity or the United Way.

If the MoC can survive on private dollars (rich folks), then they'll more likely be able to keep the name. But that doesn't look promising. Over the past 20 years the MoC board has argued about whether to call it the "War Between the States" or "Civil War" in their exhibit text, and other similar scope matters that they didn't focus on fundraising, they sold off their easements (hence the encroachment), they didn't long range plan, they drifted, they spent down their endowment, and now they are in a mess.

I spend a lot of my time fundraising for dollars for a Civil War site/museum, including corporate America. It is not easy, if I was trying to do this as a "Confederate" museum, gosh, I'd be dead in the water. I don't like it, but that's how it is.

We went through this same drill with the Confederate Naval Museum in Columbus, Georgia, which became the National Civil War Naval Museum. Many people did not like the name change, the flip side is that we did get our corporate & foundation dollars (8 million), we used them to build a modern secure facility for the Confederate artifacts in our collections (including parts of two ships) and with the new name we became the benefactors of many fantastic donations (for instance seven important CSN flags from the Mass. Historical Society, a grant from Save Our History conserved them). So the net result was we did some some interesting things to preserve Confederate naval history, but we changed our name. We could've kept our name and died like Lee's army at Appomattox.

I'm not saying we should lie down and take a name change without discussion. But these are the facts, they are dispiriting, it is part of a larger cultural war going on within this country. If you can figure a way to win that war then the name battles, the PC battles can be won as well. Frankly, these issues and battles on how we remember and preserve our history make questions like which cartridge box to use at an event seem very trivial.

I know there are more dynamics to the MoC issue which I'm not privy to so I don't claim to be the final authority on their woes.

I know the SCV has fought the good fight in trying to preserve these names and the right to fly the flag. Perhaps the fight needs to be managed like Jackson's flank march, rather than the charges at Franklin. We know how each of those two episodes turned out.

Respectfully,

Greg Starbuck

[HighPrvt]

Re: Museum of the Confederacy to drop "Confederacy" from title?

I hate to see this thing happening, but if it comes down to shutting the doors, and the artifacts getting dispersed, then I'd have to agree that a name change would be acceptable, albeit bitterly.

Quote "I know the SCV has fought the good fight in trying to preserve these names and the right to fly the flag. Perhaps the fight needs to be managed like Jackson's flank march, rather than the charges at Franklin. We know how each of those two episodes turned out."

I agree, this is probably the best way to deal with the PC numb skulls coming out of the woodwork lately.

[dave81276]

Re: Museum of the Confederacy to drop "Confederacy" from title?

Greg,

I would usually agree with you on this topic, but I have experience dealing with the MoC's development department and Board of Trustees. The entire reason the MoC is in trouble is because their development department has done virtually nothing to raise funds, and, unlike other comparable non-profit organizations, the wealthy folks on the Board of Trustees make few, if any, donations. Now, this is starting to turn around. There are some newer, more generous donors, and the new Director for Development is a real go-getter. But, it will take a while to get up steam.

Personally, I happen to be on a board of a charitable foundation. Two years in a row, 2004 and 2005, the Museum LOST the money we gave it. Naturally, I could not convince my fellow foundation members to donate last year. If this has happened twice to me, how many times has it happened to people who just took the oversight as a gesture of ingratitude?

Furthermore, these grand-standing antics of Mr. Rawls (moving the White House, moving the Museum to Lexington, threatening MCV, the name change, et cetera) only hurt the credibility of the MoC as a professional organization, and folks don't give money to causes in which they don't believe. Considering the size and wealth of the Board and the low operating costs of the MoC, there is no reason why the MoC should be in such dire straights.

[Beaner]

Re: Museum of the Confederacy to drop "Confederacy" from title?

I understand the need to relocate the MOC, but, move it 140 miles away from the White House of Confederacy? How will we protect it from Urban sprawl? Why is it so important to hide the history of this great country? Are we we going to move Arlington too? People need to understand our history and why previous generations did what they did!

Dave Prince
4th Tx. Co. E

[Canebrake Rifle Guards]

Re: Museum of the Confederacy to drop "Confederacy" from title?

Greg,

I would usually agree with you on this topic

Dave - I'm not seeing where much disagreement, it appears like we agree.

My statements are not defending a name change, or defending Waite Rawls, but rather I'm telling it how it is in today's business and museum world.

We are not going to get everything we want, so you have to make choices on what you get.

Greg Starbuck

[SCTiger]

Re: Museum of the Confederacy to drop "Confederacy" from title?

If the South Carolina Confederate Relic Room ever changed it's name, I would stop supporting the museum and wouldn't give a hoot. I would support organizations that don't sell themselves out to corporate-government America, which has eradicated Confederate symbols from stores, school campuses, work sites and sporting events. You can only temporarily appease political correctness. Next stage, interpretation and control of exhibits.

I would hate to lose the flags, documents and relics, but if it meant betraying the memory of those soldiers, it wouldn't be a choice. They deserve a Confederate museum, there are plenty of "National" and generic "Civil War" museums already.

[Canebrake Rifle Guards]

Re: Museum of the Confederacy to drop "Confederacy" from title?

If the South Carolina Confederate Relic Room ever changed it's name, I would stop supporting the museum and wouldn't give a hoot. I would support organizations that don't sell themselves out to corporate-government America, which has eradicated Confederate symbols from stores, school campuses, work sites and sporting events. You can only temporarily appease political correctness. Next stage, interpretation and control of exhibits.

I would hate to lose the flags, documents and relics, but if it meant betraying the memory of those soldiers, it wouldn't be a choice. They deserve a Confederate museum, there are plenty of "National" and generic "Civil War" museums already.

Remember the SCCRR is a state funded museum (at least I think they are in the state budget), also remember that South Carolina is one of the last states to remain defiant about the war to this day. The eradication of our symbols is a result of things much deeper than corporate America. This shift would not happen without the help of government (judical, legislative especially).

I wouldn't call it selling out to corporate interests, but here's how it works. The private museums need money, they don't survive on your $50 a year memberships. So they turn to private sources of funding (forget about government sources) which includes corporate and private citizens.

Corporations are hamstrung by their stockholders and chairmen, when they give money, its not going to be to something that generates controversy or bad press, if they see a downside they will give their dollars to a human needs non profit.

Private individuals with any sort of wealth, who give to causes, usually set up foundations or work through foundations for their giving protocol (rare is the person who writes you a personal check). They do this for legal and tax reasons. Again, these foundations will avoid things that are controversial. So you're back at square one.

In all of this, don't take it that I'm defending PC, let me repeat that, DO NOT ASSUME IT THAT I AM DEFENDING PC. I am telling you how it is today, we are in a culture war where some people in our society don't value museums and battlefields. There is one large national organization who has as a stated purpose the removal of all Confederate monuments. The good news is that some knowledgeable people have said that the PC thing is like a pendulum, it will shift back.

If we spend all our time worrying about what uniform to wear for an event, then the things we cherish will erode around us. We do have to wake up and become more dedicated to preservation causes (No Casino, CVBT, CWPT, McRae). At least that is my focus.

Greg Starbuck

[SCTiger]

Re: Museum of the Confederacy to drop "Confederacy" from title?

It's isn't just political correctness Greg, it's anyone that manipulate history for the all mighty dollar. State "funding" also doesn't give the government the right to dictate what the history of a people should be, the citizens determine that. Not special interest groups, corporations or government bureaucrats. Museum people need academic and first amendment freedom to present history in a truthful manner. We don't need the corporate C.E.O.'s or bureaucratic dictators telling us which history is good and which isn't. If the majority of the citizens want a Confederate Museum, Cemetery, Battlefield, Flag Exhibit, then they deserve one. It's not the governments money. Not everyone is against Confederate history, surprising as that may seem to modern PC heads.

I would even support a Slavery Museum or a Union Soldiers Museum in the North and I would respect their interpretation of history. I may not agree with it, but their freedom of expression and thought is also mine. With or without the stamp of approval from Exxon or the State government.

They will probably sell out and change the name and that will be one more museum off my list.

[Canebrake Rifle Guards]

Re: Museum of the Confederacy to drop "Confederacy" from title?

It's isn't just political correctness Greg, it's anyone that manipulate history for the all mighty dollar. State "funding" also doesn't give the government the right to dictate what the history of a people should be, the citizens determine that. Not special interest groups, corporations or government bureaucrats. Museum people need academic and first amendment freedom to present history in a truthful manner. We don't need the corporate C.E.O.'s or bureaucratic dictators telling us which history is good and which isn't. If the majority of the citizens want a Confederate Museum, Cemetery, Battlefield, Flag Exhibit, then they deserve one. It's not the governments money. Not everyone is against Confederate history, surprising as that may seem to modern PC heads.

I would even support a Slavery Museum or a Union Soldiers Museum in the North and I would respect their interpretation of history. I may not agree with it, but their freedom of expression and thought is also mine. With or without the stamp of approval from Exxon or the State government.

They will probably sell out and change the name and that will be one more museum off my list.

Greg-

You are preaching to the choir.

Greg Starbuck

[DougCooper]

Re: Museum of the Confederacy to drop "Confederacy" from title?

Agree 100% with Greg Starbuck here. Further, in my opiniont the name is not important, the collection is important and funding to save it is important. Just like saving the land that CS soldiers fought and died on is important, way more important than spending time and treasure to save symbols like flags. If we are to save the MOC collection, we need to do whatever it takes, including not looking at is as a Southern heritage issue, but instead as an American issue. If that priceless collection is broken up and we lose it...because we refused to change the name and lose funding...we would all look pretty slly without noses.

BTW, does anyone know what new name is proposed?

BTW, I have always heard the SCRR pronounced South Carolina Relic Room, and indeed until this thread, had no idea the word Confederate was in the title.

[dave81276]

Re: Museum of the Confederacy to drop "Confederacy" from title?

The problems that are crippling the MoC will remain no matter what you call it or where you move it. The most important criticism that the review committee pointed out was that the MoC has never had a long-range plan. Instead of focusing on this, or lackluster fundraising, the Board and Executive Director have put all their efforts into energy-wasting exercises such as moving the Museum and renaming the institution. They need to set a course, instead of hopping from one temporary expedient to another.

[Canebrake Rifle Guards]

Re: Museum of the Confederacy to drop "Confederacy" from title?

The problems that are crippling the MoC will remain ..... Instead of focusing on this, or lackluster fundraising, the Board and Executive Director have put all their efforts into energy-wasting exercises such as moving the Museum and renaming the institution. They need to set a course, instead of hopping from one temporary expedient to another.

Dave-

You hit the nail on the head. The problems crippling the MOC are money. They aren't getting money because of two problems. 1. Location (dwindling visitation) 2. Lack of fundraising (the pool of money to draw upon becomes smaller and smaller as things "Confederate" become marginalized - the word Confederate is a turn off for many).

Now I would suggest that long range planning would involve these very things such as fundraising strategy, visitation issues, viability issues.

One of the things to remember about fundraising, is that raising money for capital campaign projects is a whole different activity than raising money for operational expenses. Organizations grant money almost never give it for operational needs. Hence the MOC's desire to build up daily visitation, which revolves around accessibility issuues

They are in a fix and there is no easy answer. I dislike the idea of them moving. A lot of people have been thinking on this issue and working on it. Naturally it is easy to assume that we re-enactors can solve their problems, but we do not walk in their shoes.


I'm not defending Waite Rawls or the MOC board, but I do suggest there is more to the situation than Waite being a bonehead as many would like to think. There's no one single bad guy in this, but a myriad of internal and external factors that continue to churn even 140 years after the fact.

Also remember that Richmond has not yet been able to come to terms with their Civil War history, that city is still scarred since its burning in 1865.

Greg Starbuck

[1stMaine]

Re: Museum of the Confederacy to drop "Confederacy" from title?

Greg,

I, too, dislike the thought of the Museum moving out of Richmond. However, as with a possible name change, if it's required to restore and/or increase funding and visibility, then the idea of relocation to Lexington makes a great deal of sense.

As I posted in an earlier thread, the potential for raising a large amount of funds exists when considering moving to the Valley. It's as full of history as Richmond, and it might well be that relocating could make it a sort of bookend to the New Market site.

Think of the potential for travelling up the Valley, visiting all the old, smaller sites and museums and displays, and finally ending up at Lexington,at the musuem of the Confederacy, alongside VMI, Lee's Tomb, etc.

Not only that, but it's a different political animal down that way. A LOT more acceptance than the politically-charged environment in Richmond.

Anyway, yeah, like I said, I'm not keen on the idea of it moving, but having said that, I think that realistically, the option MUST be considered, and a location in the Valley makes all kinds of sense.

Respects,

[Emmanuel Dabney]

Re: Museum of the Confederacy to drop "Confederacy" from title?

Moderator hat on: Please keep the discussion away from bones to pick about modern politics.

E-mail members received about the name change potential:

A Letter from S. Waite Rawls III, President and CEO of The Museum of
the Confederacy:

February 20, 2007

For the past two years The Museum of the Confederacy has undergone a series of studies and discussed various strategies in its efforts to address financial difficulties and declining visitation. Last summer a panel of museum experts conducted an outside independent study of the Museum and all facets of its operations. The results from the study, released last fall and available on the website at www.moc.org , assisted the Museum’s Board of Trustees in their decision to keep the White House of the Confederacy in its current location and their determination to relocate the Museum’s collections. The Museum is now in the midst of discussions with several potential locations regarding the relocation of the museum’s collections.

Additionally, the consultants recommended the consideration of a possible renaming of the museum, which might accompany the relocation. The Museum’s Board of Trustees will carefully weigh any decision that is made regarding the renaming of the museum. No decision on whether or not to change the name has been made at this time, and possible new names for the Museum have not been chosen. Any decision that is made will be in concert with and dependant on the new location.

Thank you for your calls, letters and opinions regarding the Museum’s pending move and the decisions surrounding the relocation.

I am your most obedient servant,

S. Waite Rawls III
President & CEO