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Only YOU Can Save Civil War History in Philadelphia!

CIVIL WAR MUSEUM SOUNDS ALARM ON LEAVING PHILA

& TWO WEEKS NOTICE: CIVIL WAR ARTIFACTS MAY LEAVE PHILLY

These were the headlines of 2 disturbing articles published in the Philadelphia Inquirer yesterday.

THE SITUATION IN A NUTSHELL:

A year ago, The Civil War Museum on Pine Street closed, due to lack of funding. Over 3,000 artifacts went into storage in Philly. The Rendell Administration had promised $8-10 million in capital funding to move the artifacts to a new home: The First Bank of The United States in Independence Park. The administration rebuked on this promise, leaving The Civil War Museum high and dry. If funding is not secured in the next two weeks, all of these artifacts that belong in Philadelphia will be moved to a new (undisclosed) location, not in the city.

WHY THIS IS A TRAVESTY:

HISTORY IS SERIOUS BUSINESS. No, really. If The Cradle of Liberty can’t retain it’s history, then what is this world coming to? And, while the Rendell Administration is “constrained by fiscal realities,” what about the reality of Philadelphia losing the largest private collection of Civil War artifacts in the nation? Swords, watches, clothing, originally gifted by families of Union soldiers over the past hundred years now await their fate. As a Philly ex-pat myself, I must say that those outside of our city limits hold Philadelphia in high regard, and always for the same reason…”Oh, you used to live in Philadelphia? I’ve heard it’s a great city, tons of great history there. Must have been exciting.” Now is NOT the time, after over hundreds of years, to drop the ball.

WHAT YOU CAN DO:

A rally cry for The Civil War Museum!!! Do not keep quiet if you feel in kind.

- Send a letter to the office of the governor:

Governor Edward G. Rendell’s Office
225 Main Capitol Building
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17120

- Send emails (LINK HERE)

- Detail your knowledge of the situation and your disappointment in the administration’s decision. Petition for a re-allotment of funds and/or aid in securing alternative funding, as they still have a responsibility to honor their promise and rectify their revocation.

- And one more helpful hint: Sip a little ROOT, neat, while penning your letters. I hear it really gets the historical brainjuices flowing…!