Date published: 2/28/2008

Kudos for exposing slavery museum mess

I'd like to commend Ed Jones for bringing to light the secretive world of the U.S. National Slavery Museum ["Information on slavery museum hard to get," Feb. 20].

For what was promised to be a serious institution on the study of slavery in the United States and an economic boom to the Fredericksburg region, it has now become a sideshow spectacle of ridiculous proportions.

Doug Wilder's dream, first announced in 2000, is nowhere near fruition in 2008. For all the hoopla of a magnificent facility first proposed in 2002, all there is to show for it is a garden.

Studies have been made with city loans, yet nothing has been released to the public, which funded those same studies.

The true irony of it all is that the museum board chose a place called Celebrate Virginia to build its museum--as if slavery is something to celebrate!

The governor has pro- posed giving the museum $100,000 in 2010 to support its mission. I feel that it would be money wasted in light of all the other sacrifices state agencies are having to make for that same time.

Until the museum can prove itself financially and academically responsible, no state funding should be allotted to it. Those who feel the same way should let their legislators know.

Charles C. Jones

Westmoreland

Date published: 2/28/2008