To Leave or Not to Leave?
A few more comments about the possibility of the Museum of the Confederacy moving to the Shenandoah Valley . . . some folks are saying that the Museum of the Confederacy should stay in Richmond. After all, it was the Confederate capital, right? Yes, but Richmond has, in recent years, shown a cavalier attitude towards the MOC's plight and now, when news breaks that they are taking a serious look at Lexington, suddenly Richmonders get concerned. Forgive me for my cnyicism, but this appears to me to be too little, too late. The spurned lover is flirting with another beau.
While I agree that Richmond is a natural fit for the MOC and it would be the preferable location, given the right (and former) circumstances, I believe they've lost their claim due to their lack of concern--until now. Richmond has lots to offer, for sure. But the Shenandoah Valley has even more--namely hospitality and a booming tourism economy. And when it comes to preserving and promoting Virginia's wonderful history and heritage, no one does it better than the Valley. The Shenandoah abounds with battlefield sites, museums, notable birthplaces, and unparallelled beauty. Tourism is flourishing here. Admittedly, as a life long resident of the Valley, I'm somewhat biased, but Lexington would never have allowed the ugly, architecturally incompatible high-rise buildings to surround the MOC, not to mention the Confederate White House. In my mind, the situation regarding the White House is even more of a travesty, it cannot (and should not) be moved. But the reality is, the MOC is moving, its just a question of when and where, not if. Does the MOC want to risk continuting the relationship with the city of Richmond when the record shows that the city can not be relied upon? What can Richmond offer as proof that staying will change their attitude? Does the MOC want to go to the expense of a move down the road only to face similar problems again in a few years?
Sometimes hard lessons lead to a correction in conduct. If the MOC does move, perhaps Richmond will learn from the experience. I am a member of both the MOC and the Rockbridge County Historical Society and, if one man's opinion means anything, I would love to see the MOC relocate. It would be the best thing (IMO) for all concerned.
Flee MOC, your beau awaits you with open arms.
(I wonder how many of the bloggers and pundits offering their advice and opinion have actually bothered to join the MOC and assist them in their mission of historic preservation? If enough CW buffs and historians would become members and support the MOC in other ways, we would not be having this discussion. Again, regardless of the outcome, I would encourage readers to support the MOC with their membership. Click here.)
While I agree that Richmond is a natural fit for the MOC and it would be the preferable location, given the right (and former) circumstances, I believe they've lost their claim due to their lack of concern--until now. Richmond has lots to offer, for sure. But the Shenandoah Valley has even more--namely hospitality and a booming tourism economy. And when it comes to preserving and promoting Virginia's wonderful history and heritage, no one does it better than the Valley. The Shenandoah abounds with battlefield sites, museums, notable birthplaces, and unparallelled beauty. Tourism is flourishing here. Admittedly, as a life long resident of the Valley, I'm somewhat biased, but Lexington would never have allowed the ugly, architecturally incompatible high-rise buildings to surround the MOC, not to mention the Confederate White House. In my mind, the situation regarding the White House is even more of a travesty, it cannot (and should not) be moved. But the reality is, the MOC is moving, its just a question of when and where, not if. Does the MOC want to risk continuting the relationship with the city of Richmond when the record shows that the city can not be relied upon? What can Richmond offer as proof that staying will change their attitude? Does the MOC want to go to the expense of a move down the road only to face similar problems again in a few years?
Sometimes hard lessons lead to a correction in conduct. If the MOC does move, perhaps Richmond will learn from the experience. I am a member of both the MOC and the Rockbridge County Historical Society and, if one man's opinion means anything, I would love to see the MOC relocate. It would be the best thing (IMO) for all concerned.
Flee MOC, your beau awaits you with open arms.
(I wonder how many of the bloggers and pundits offering their advice and opinion have actually bothered to join the MOC and assist them in their mission of historic preservation? If enough CW buffs and historians would become members and support the MOC in other ways, we would not be having this discussion. Again, regardless of the outcome, I would encourage readers to support the MOC with their membership. Click here.)
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