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Museum of the Confederacy Considers Statewide Museum System
Museum to Reach Out to Visitors.

The Museum of Confederacy is exploring the idea of expanding to a statewide system of visitor sites. The museum system would advance the Museum’s educational mission by broadening the reach of its extensive artifact collection. The visitor sites will reach across the state, concentrating on and complementing existing flows of both historical and recreational travelers.
The Museum will remain in Richmond with its headquarters, marketing and development functions, research library, collections storage and conservation and preservation efforts.

The White House of the Confederacy will serve as a major visitor site in Richmond. Additional locations under consideration include Appomattox, Chancellorsville and others.
“It is an exciting prospect to expand our outreach to a greater number of historical tourists in Virginia,” stated Museum Board Chairman Carlton P. Moffatt. “The plan is contingent on
financing. After three years of hard work involving a state study commission, a peer review study and a large number of volunteer experts, the Board feels that a system of museum sites is the best way to accomplish our central mission of using artifacts to educate the public about the Civil War and the Confederacy.”

“We are focused on taking our collection to the visitor, rather than trying to get the visitor to come to us,” said S. Waite Rawls, III, Museum President and CEO. “Richmond and the other
sites under consideration hold great war-time significance. They have strong visitation numbers and name recognition. We are looking to have space for many more artifacts that can be seen
by three to four times as many people.” The relocation of the Museum exhibits would have positive tourism and economic impact for each location. “Relocation of the Museum of the Confederacy to Appomattox would create a synergy between the Appomattox Court House National Historical Park, the upcoming Battle
of Appomattox Station Battlefield and the Museum itself,” stated Watkins M. Abbitt, Jr. delegate from the Virginia General Assembly’s 59th district, which includes Appomattox
County. “The relocation would substantially increase visitation, extend the visitors stay in our area, and result in a tremendous, positive economic impact for Appomattox.”

Museum officials had considered relocating all functions outside of Richmond. A recent Richmond Times-Dispatch’s editorial stated, “Richmond was the capital of the Confederacy; it
ought to establish itself as a capital of Civil War research.” The continuation of the Museum’s research facility in Richmond, along with the Library of Virginia and the Virginia Historical
Society, will foster that goal. Additionally, the headquarters and conservation center will continue Richmond’s critical role in the Museum’s future.

Plans call for the current museum building to remain operational and open to the public for the next five years. The new facilities will be built in time for the Civil War Sesquicentennial (2011-2015).

Dr. Charles F. Bryan, Jr., President and CEO of the Virginia Historical Society stated, “The museum system is an interesting idea that many major museums have adopted. All have been
concerned that the Museum might leave Virginia, which would be a great loss to the Commonwealth. The system will keep the collection in Virginia, which allows the sharing of
the Museum of the Confederacy’s resources with many historical organizations while also playing an important role in the Richmond community.” “The idea of combining artifacts with battlefields will bring new life to both,” stated Civil
War Preservation Trust’s President O. James Lighthizer. “It will provide visitors a glimpse into the stories of the war which is the most defining conflict in American history. It’s the perfect
marriage.” The Museum of the Confederacy is a private, nonprofit educational institution. The Museum and White House of the Confederacy are located in downtown Richmond.

For additional information, please call (804) 649-1861 or visit us on the web at http://www.moc.org/site/R?i=RX-h1Msv55VzZ2-8smo1OQ..
   
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Museum of the Confederacy Announces Fourth Proposed Location

Fort Monroe Under Consideration

The Museum of Confederacy has announced a fourth proposed location in its aim to establish a statewide system of visitor sites. Earlier this month the museum released its plan to operate a system of museums---the White House of the Confederacy in Richmond and new museums in Appomattox and Chancellorsville. Fort Monroe, a U. S. military installation set to close in 2011 in Hampton, Virginia has now been identified as a fourth site.

“We are excited about the opportunity to work with the communities of Hampton Roads and help keep this historic treasure a part of the Virginia visitor experience,” stated S. Waite Rawls III, President and CEO of the Museum of the Confederacy. “Fort Monroe played a major role in the Civil War. Our artifacts of the Confederate Navy could provide a major addition to the fort’s interpretation.”  

The construction of Fort Monroe was supervised by young U.S. Army Lieutenant Robert E. Lee and completed in 1834. Named for President James Monroe, the site is a six-sided stone fort completely surrounded by a moat and is the last of its kind in the United States. Fort Monroe played a major role in U. S. military history. In March 1862, the naval Battle of Hampton Roads took place near Fort Monroe between the first ironclad warships, CSS Virginia and USS Monitor. Confederate President Jefferson Davis was also held at Fort Monroe for two years after his capture in May 1865.  

The proposed museum system will advance the Museum’s educational mission by broadening the reach of its extensive artifact collection. The visitor sites will reach across the state, concentrating on and complementing existing flows of both historical and recreational travelers. The plan is contingent on support and financing.  

The Museum will retain its headquarters, marketing and development functions, research library, and collections storage and conservation and preservation efforts in Richmond. Plans call for the current museum building to remain operational and open to the public for the next five years. The new facilities will be built in time for the Civil War Sesquicentennial (2011-2015).

CONTACT:  Megan Stagg                                        mstagg@moc.org
(804) 649-1861 ext. 13