[VAcourier] MOC article in Times Dispatch

Thu Mar 1 06:25:55 EST 2007

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More sites interested in museum
More than a dozen so far, officials say; some are outside Va.
BY JANET CAGGIANO
TIMES-DISPATCH STAFF WRITER
Thursday, March 1, 2007

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<http://www.timesdispatch.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=RTD/MGArticle/RTD_B
asicArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1149193448639> More sites interested in Civil
War museum

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asicArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1149193287672> Civil War museum to change name?

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45855935174> Confederate museum should stay

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asicArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1149192826240> Civil War museum may leave
capital

<http://www.timesdispatch.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=RTD/MGArticle/RTD_B
asicArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1149192554704> Museum of the Confederacy &
Tredegar to remain separate

<http://www.timesdispatch.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=RTD/MGArticle/RTD_B
asicArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1149191191042> Museum officials seek new site in
Richmond, but the White House won't move

Lexington isn't the only city interested in courting the Museum of the
Confederacy.

Since January, more than a dozen sites have contacted museum officials with
hopes of enticing the troubled cultural institution to their town. Officials
would not release the names of those sites or their locations, but a few are
out of state.

"We have been swamped with inquiries from all over the state," said Waite
Rawls, the museum's president and CEO.

Rawls and his staff mailed each a request for proposal yesterday. The
10-page document includes background information on the museum, requirements
for the move, the review process and financial needs.

Rawls said he hopes to begin reviewing the proposals by April 15.

Meanwhile, the museum has yet to hear from the Virginia Division of the Sons
of Confederate Veterans. During a news conference this week, the group
announced plans to meet with museum officials to inquire about taking over
the management of the museum. Museum officials have no comment, they say,
because they have not been approached by the group.

The two organizations may not have met yet, but Sons of Confederate Veterans
member Brag Bowling said his group already is planning strategy. Should they
get their chance to run the museum, Bowling said they would close it for six
months, reorganize the staff, keep the museum in Richmond and maintain its
name.

He said the new management would also focus exhibits and events on the South
instead of trying to be "politically correct."

"They are trying to appeal to the mainstream," he said. "That's not what the
museum is about. It was set up to be a shrine to the Confederacy."

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Should the museum remain in Richmond and keep its name, Bowling said he
would no longer see a need for the Sons of Confederate Veterans to pursue a
takeover.

"The museum is a treasure-trove of history," he said. "It should be a piece
of cake to promote and raise money for."

Museum of the Confederacy officials announced in October that they were
seeking a new home for its Civil War collection, the world's largest, to
escape the sprawling medical campus of Virginia Commonwealth University. The
adjacent White House of the Confederacy will remain where it has stood at
12th and East Clay streets since 1818.

Since making the announcement, museum officials have been touring possible
sites, including the historic Rockbridge County Courthouse complex in
Lexington. Like the other interested sites, Lexington officials will receive
a request for proposal this week.

The document spells out what the museum is looking for in a new home. For
example, a building with about 60,000 square feet will be required, with
about half that meeting museum-quality environmental and security standards.
New construction is preferred and will cost about $20 million.

Other requirements include convenient dining options, parking to accommodate
150-plus cars and easy road access. The site also should have other historic
attractions nearby.

The solicitation asks for a description of potential local government
support, a survey of nearby attractions, an overview of neighboring academic
institutions, a summary of local financial resources -- including
philanthropic resources and foundations -- and a survey of local employment
conditions.

"Our preference would be to stay in Richmond," Rawls said. "Richmond was the
capital of the Confederacy, it was the epicenter of the whole war, the
collection was put together here and it's been here for 117 years."

Contact staff writer Janet Caggiano at jcaggiano at timesdispatch.com or (804)
649-6157.

This story can be found at:
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