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U.S. National Slavery Museum tax return shows organization in the black for 2007 but raised less than $1 million
BY PAMELA GOULD The U.S. National Slavery Museum raised 50 percent more money in 2007 than in 2006 and ended the year in the black--a reversal from 2006, according to the nonprofit's latest tax return. However, despite raising $577, 173 and earning $4,567 in interest on its investments, museum expenses for 2007 consumed all but $54,690 of the year's income, the report shows. Meanwhile, the city revenue commissioner says the museum owes more than $23,000 in overdue real-estate taxes and penalties. On its tax return, the museum reported an end-of-year balance of $17.6 million, $17.5 million of which was the value of the land the museum was given to build on. In 2002, the Silver Cos. donated 38 acres within its Celebrate Virginia tourism and retail complex in Fredericksburg for the museum after former Gov. L. Douglas Wilder chose the city as the site for the museum. The land's value depreciated $9,540 in 2007, according to the report. However, that was offset by unspecified art in the museum's possession, which was valued at $9,000. Wilder selected Fredericksburg over Jamestown and Richmond as the site for the museum he has envisioned since a visit to Goree Island in West Africa while governor. Wilder finishes his term as mayor of Richmond at year's end. Dates for the museum to open have repeatedly been pushed back. The most recent estimate came in June 2007, when Executive Director Vonita W. Foster said she hoped for a "soft opening" sometime this year and an official opening in 2009 or 2010. Foster said at the time that she needed to raise $10 million by fall of 2007 to open a portion of the museum this year. The tax return shows less than $1 million was raised for the entire year. Construction has not begun nor have city officials received any documents to begin the process of getting approval to start work. "This is bad times, I know. It's probably bad times to raise money, but I would like to know something," said Building and Development Services Director Stephen Smallwood. In an odd quirk, a travel story recently appeared in more than one online publication suggesting the museum is open and would make an excellent stop for visitors to the Fredericksburg area. CITY TAXES OVERDUE
Date published: 11/22/2008
i said it and i meant it. sorry if someone has to be on their high horse when they disagree with you your majesty.
They would have more support if their efforts were consisent and they weren't so...evasive? I guess is the word I'm looking for. They need to focus their efforts on partnering with the Smithsonian instead of building something that should have historical significance "over there behind the Sheetz." Sounds like they are squandering away money, I won't contribute a dime!
Slavery was rampant throughout the south. I never said the museum didn't belong in Fredericksburg. Simply that to say it belongs here just as much as "stuff" for George Washington is ridiculous, so get off your high horse.
Land was donated in 2001, then after Sept 11 of course
donations were stunted. The economy started a good
recovery in 2005, then Katrina hit and stunted donations for
the museum. The economy started looking good again in
2007, then went into a nose-dive for the last year, so again
hard to raise funds. We'll get it done, but Rome wasn't built
in a day either. Meanwhile, visit
www.usnationalslaverymuseum.org and see the plans &
learn more. Also, visit the pretty new Marine museum in
Quantico It's free!
washington owned slaves here in fredericksburg. there were hundreds of plantations lining the stafford, frederiksburg and spotsylvania county - those plantations were run by slaves, the work was done by slaves. the civil war was fought over slavery (i know, i know slavery had nothing to do with civil war - so save the post). many a civil war battle was fought in this area. slavery is a big part of this area's history, whether you pretend that is not is up to you.
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