Civil War Life museum update

Blogger, author and historian Michael Aubrecht says on his own blog that he can speak for the Civil War Life Foundation, which was created to raise money to open a new museum. He says Terry Thomann, the director of the museum, is still in talks with the county, as my article in today’s Spotsylvania Extra states in the very end. You can read Aubrecht’s blog here. He says:

The National Civil War Life Foundation is still on the same mission, to build an all-inclusive museum that tells the entire story of the Civil War from all sides. We are still looking at Spotsylvania as a location. We are planning on holding some special events at the new store location to generate additional interest in this project. We are still sponsoring the documentary film on Richard Kirkland that is slated for release in February 2010. We are in talks with Mort Kunstler’s rep about having an exclusive gallery section at both the existing and future locations. We will be updating the website soon to reflect these minor changes that do not affect our mission. And we want to assure all of our supporters that our prime directive remains:

To operate a national museum and research center that preserves and interprets the human story of the American Civil War and connects the lives of all people of that era to the Nation today.

 Aubrecht says Mr. Thomann regrets "venting" to me some frustration he had with the county.

The reporter was simply quoting what he thought were decisions that had already been made. They were not and Terry has met with individuals from the county and the situation is being discussed en route to being resolved. There is a NCWLF board meeting coming up in a few weeks and I will be sure to update both the media and readers here of new information as it becomes available. 

 I personally didn’t think anything. Mr. Thomann called WJ Vakos and told them he was moving to the city. He sent a letter to the county saying he was leaving by Dec. 1. He already closed the store in Southpoint I. My story today has County Attorney Jacob Stroman saying he expects the county and Mr. Thomann will open discussions soon. Mr. Aubrecht has never called me and I didn’t know who he was until today. Mr. Aubrecht says that the closing was made because of economic decisions. But why would someone leave a building at which the rent was free and move to a downtown city location where the rent is not free? 

Permalink: http://news.fredericksburg.com/spotsygovt/2009/11/24/civil-war-life-museum-update/