[VAcourier] Times Dispatch Lincoln article

Fri Aug 24 07:33:29 EDT 2007

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Lincoln statue group loses tax status
Historical Society taken off IRS list of tax-exempt groups
Friday, Aug 24, 2007 - 12:08 AM 
By WILL JONES
TIMES-DISPATCH STAFF WRITER

The company that donated the bronze statue of Abraham Lincoln in Richmond
has lost its tax-exempt status.

The United States Historical Society was removed this week from the Internal
Revenue Service's list of organizations eligible to receive tax-free
contributions. An IRS spokesman said he could not disclose details.

Martin J. Moran, president of the Historical Society, also declined to
discuss specifics or say whether its troubles related to controversy around
the Lincoln statue at Tredegar Iron Works.

"It's done, and it's over," he said. "We are particularly proud of [the
statue]. It's one of the biggest and best undertakings the society has ever
done."

Organizations can qualify as tax-exempt if they exist for religious,
charitable, educational or other certain purposes. Nonprofits face limits on
their activities, including a prohibition from campaigning for or against
political candidates.

The Historical Society, based in Chesterfield County, plans to operate as a
for-profit company. It works with museums and other institutions to market
historical collectibles, such as statues, dolls and plates.

Four years ago, the Historical Society donated the bronze statue of Lincoln
and his son, Tad, to the National Park Service as a symbol of unity and
reconciliation. It was dedicated on April 5, 2003, to mark Lincoln's visit
to the burned-out Confederate capital in 1865.

The statue was lauded by city leaders and others in the community but
strongly criticized by members of the Sons of Confederate Veterans as an
affront to Southern heritage.

Some members of the Confederate group, as well as U.S. Rep. Virgil H. Goode
Jr., R-5th, questioned whether the Historical Society was a legitimate
nonprofit. The Historical Society had hoped to finance the statue by selling
miniature versions for $875. Moran said yesterday that he does not know
whether the costs were recouped.

"We were right all along, weren't we?" said Brag Bowling, a spokesman for
the Sons of Confederate Veterans. "We had those guys pegged."

Cynthia MacLeod, superintendent of the Richmond National Battlefield Park,
said the group's tax-exempt status appeared to be in order when the statue
was donated.

"I think it's being received very well," she said. "We see people having
their pictures taken there. I'm glad that we've persevered."

Bowling called the statue "the least visited monument" in the city and a
stain on the Park Service and other supporters.

Asked if he regretted donating the statue, Moran cited "vindictive forces"
that want it removed but also Lincoln's own words.

He said the president came to the Confederate capital not to gloat but "to
bind up the nation's wounds."

"Does Lincoln regret coming to Richmond?" Moran asked. "I don't think he
would regret coming to Richmond at all." 
Contact Will Jones at (804) 649-6911 or wjones at timesdispatch.com.

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