I have to say I'm not surprised it happened.  It irritates me that in today's society we can't accept the past for what it was and learn from it.  Not-so-pleasant experiences can bring positives if we can view them with a "glass is half-full" perspective.  Vincent, the canal corridor
with the murals sounds like a good idea to me.  I'm sorry this councilman reacted the way he did.  His actions have proven to me once again that it only takes one person to ruin a potential learning opportunity for all.

As for how this situation related to museums, I can't speak for anyone but myself, but there have been certain elements of exhibits I know about that were historically accurate that had to be left out because of potential public response.  We live and work in a world that in many ways
relies on public opinion and because of that must make decisions accordingly.  I have a tendency to want to push the envelope and am reminded of that at times.

I hope the picture of Lee is returned in the near future, for we can not pick and choose history.  It is every little piece of our history that makes our culture what it is today, good and bad.

Okay, I'll get off my soapbox now.  Certain things just hit you a certain way in the middle of the afternoon.  This coming from a Southerner and material culture/social historian.

Michelle

Michelle Jimerson Morris
Research Assistant
Kansas City Museum
Science City at Union Station

Vincent Brooks wrote:

> Listmembers
>    I am eager to hear opinions (and not to start a battle) on a recent
> development in Richmond, VA.  The city has converted a section of the canal
> along the James River into a pedestrian walk way.  One of the city-sponsored
> historical agencies used mural-sized images of Richmonders past and present
> to decorate the canal corridor.
>    After the Robert E. Lee mural was featured in an article on the walk in
> the Richmond Times-Dispatch, a city coucilman became outraged and
> immediately lobbied for the removal of the mural.  He succeeded.  Lee's
> picture was removed citing community sentiment, and it was alluded that it
> may be installed at a later date.  Upon hearing this comment, the councilman
> replied that the mural would not return "on his watch."
>   Lee's photo hung in the area themed "Conflict."  It hung with Chief
> Powhatan and Gabriel Prosser, a slave who plan an unexecuted murderous
> revolt.
>   Why take down Lee and leave Prosser?  Why take down Lee?  Does this
> sentiment have reprocussions for the museum community?  I am neither a
> Southerner nor am I a Civil War historian.  I have no great affinity for
> Lee, or no more than I do for any other historical figure.  After reading
> the story, however, I was interested in its effect on the museum profession.
>   We are in public institutions (for the most part), but does that mean
> censoring certain controversial subject matter?  I am interested in your
> responses.  Thanks.
>
> V.B.
> Project Archivist
>
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