Here we go again. Hoo boy.
SouthsideCentral has learned that the Danville Museum of Fine Arts & History has asked Danville City Council to take back the Confederate flag that’s currently on the grounds. Sources tell me that the Museum plans to make a permanent exhibit featuring the flags of the Confederacy instead.
This decision was approved by the museum’s Board of Directors in the last few days.
This is a developing story and we’ll update this when we learn more about what’s going on.
I think a display is good in a history museum…. iF the display contains an exhibit of the positive and negative views and perceptions of the flag. Just my two cents
Everyone dust off your pitch forks.
History should be history without opinion or editorial comment.
There shouldn’t be editorial comment but history includes a fair representation of the attitudes of people in particular eras.
Which was it first, a museum or a historic site? Namely the last capital of the confederacy. It could cease being a museum tomorrow, but will forever be the last capital. As anal as the historic society is about doors, windows, paint etc. maintaining their “historical accuracy” in private residences on Main Street, you would think the flag that flew over this building when it w as the capital wouldn’t even be open for discussion.
You are confusing the Danville Historical Society with the Danville Museum board– they are totally different organizations. You are also confusing the Historical Society with the ARB, the Architectural Review Board (for the Old West End Historic District). The Danville Historical Society has nothing to do with regulations concerning doors, windows, paint or anything at all having to do with buildings in town.
While your comment is true, a review of the members of the Commission of Architectural Review will show several members of the Danville Historical Society are part of this board. I submit the Commission of Architectural Review and the Danville Historical Society are “joined at the hip”.
Sonja is correct – the DHS ( Danville Historical Society ) does not regulate such things as windows, doors, etc… The guidelines for those homes / businesses located within a designated historic district are overseen by the Commission of Architectural Review ( CAR ) which is actually a city board, unlike the DHS which is a independent 501c3 group which has no power as such. Also those buildings within the ” River District ” are also overseen by another city board.
Thanks for clarifying.
You’d better tell the rest of the South, we are hearing about this in both South and North Carolina. People are very angry at the Danville group that is asking to do this … I mean truly angry.
Danville City Council Resolution NO. 94-9.1 states ” 2. Neither the City, its successors in interest, nor the any tenant of the property shall alter the design, location or inscription of the monument, nor the City, its successors in interest, nor the any tenant of the property remove or alter the flag flying from the monument. For the purpose of historical accuracy, only the third national flag of the Confederacy shall fly from the monument”. I suggest this Board tread lightly in areas you really don’t won’t to go. We are still here. Neither the monument, nor our flag will be leaving.
This is nothing. If City Council changes that ordinance (which is what they’re being asked to do), the point is moot.
Politicians are only as good as their word. We shall see where this goes. I figured it was about time for someone to stir the pot again. Some people have short memories and it’s only been about 17 years since the last witch hunt ended with the monument and flag being erected. I have already seen a couple of race baiters jumping in with comments. So it begins.
Brother, today’s voters have way shorter attention spans. This won’t be an issue in 2016.
Interesting comments made from so many alleged concerned citizens. The museum is a part of history as is all Confederate Flags. The issue is the level of hurt that it brings. Where is the monument that represents the struggle of African Americans? After all the soldiers that fought for that flag were fighting to keep another race enslaved. Amazing how that gets swept under the rug. It keeps getting mentioned about its history and we (yes I’m African American) need to get over it, well history also shows who won the war, and the fact that there is a movement towards taking the flag down shows that maybe you guys should get over it. LEE VOGLER it was a brilliant political move to distance yourself from a board that know one forced you to be on(he really threw his fellow board members under the bus). Since you respond to comments that are made respond to this. Do you think the flag should continue to fly? Voters Stay Tuned!
I’ll tell you this…I actually do think if there is a place this flag should continue to fly, it is the Sutherlin Mansion. I don’t think moving the flag inside even starts to resolve the troubles that exist in this community over that bit of real estate, either.
The mansion is the biggest single symbol of the racial division in this community as far as I understand it. It served not only as the last Capitol but as the public library that was off limits to the black children in the community, which is part of what touched off Bloody Monday. I think there is a lot that needs to change about how the museum handles the issue of its history, but I don’t think moving the flag really accomplishes anything of substance. None of us can change the history. This was the last Capitol. Flying that flag there marks the history in an accurate fashion. Inside the museum, a big focus should be on the negative aspects of the Confederacy and frankly more than the Confederacy what a century and a half of Confederate worship in the South has done to race relations. I would suggest somewhere in Mechanicsville perhaps there should be an appropriate monument built to represent the struggle of black people. It would be a very good thing for this city to leverage its history to tell an appropriate story of the racial discord and progress toward healing that has taken place. It would help attract tourists of all races and viewpoints, and it would create the type of environment where those tourists learn something about themselves, history, and our community while they are here.
This is a very thoughtful response. I agree. Yes, the City has a troubled history with race relations. However, trying to remove the flag from the last capitol of the Confederacy does smack of petty politics.
The flaggers go too far in saying that the flag isn’t a symbol of racism (just read the secession ordinances passed in the 11 Confederate states to understand how important slavery was to the decision to secede). They also go too far in trying to display the flag any and everywhere.
But the flag at the Sutherlin Mansion as well as the Confederate White House in Richmond doesn’t strike me as “racist.” That’s more about an accurate portrayal of history at two sites designed to teach about history.
FYI: Danville City Council Resolution NO. 83-4.19 (Danville Fine Arts lease agreement with the City) states “WHEREAS the City, by various resolutions of the Council and memoranda agreements made pursuant thereto, accordingly granted to the Museum the right and authority to occupy and use the property for the establishment and operation of a Museum promoting the fine arts and the history associated with the building, the City and the Confederacy; ….”.
Asking for the removal of a Confederate flag on a historical marker is in breech of their own lease agreement.
Horsecrap. Asking them to change an ordinance is perfectly valid.
Bruce.. Explain how this is “promoting the fine arts and the history associated with the building, the City and the Confederacy; ….”
While I think moving the flag inside is a pretty inane idea except in terms of optics, it’s not like they’re saying they want to convert the building into the Roosevelt Dime Museum. I’m certain they still intend to promote exactly that mission, which is the exact mission the property should have.
This country is more divided than in 1866.
Moving the flag is horsecrap.
The country is more free than in 1866. Or 1966.
You are losing freedom everyday.
And yet, Steve Askins asks a valid question and makes a valid observation: “Which was it first, a museum or a historic site? Namely the last capital of the confederacy. It could cease being a museum tomorrow, but will forever be the last capital.”
We need not be ashamed of history, nor seek to hide the facts that make “history”, and cannot be changed. At the end of the Civil War, Danville was THE key city of the South…Lincoln knew that as well as President Davis. The nearby battle at the Staunton River Bridge was done to keep the lifeline open to Danville…and the old men and boys that volunteered, held that lifeline open. When the VI Corps came to Danville, they found that the city and people had done what they could to keep the many Federal prisoners alive, including putting the sick into the 3 military hospitals, to care for them. Thus, Danville was the only prison town not burned…and instead, the troops took up collections to get the Register Bee up and running again, and asked if the Federal Masons could meet, fraternally, with the Danville Masons…and they were invited to do so. Incidentally, I have been contacted by an Australian gentleman who wants to come and visit…it is History that distinguishes Danville from other cities. I see that as a positive thing.
Every historical tidbit that is shared was at the expense of another race. Before African-American it was Native Americans, are we really going to analyze a history so unique and continue to skate what the issues are to justify the flag flying? I see the comments from the Rev…Question for those that maybe Christian, would the God that we serve on these beautiful Sunday mornings here in Danville be pleased with the enslavement of a people? This is what we are speaking of flags that were raised and waved and draped all over the misfortune and struggle of another race of people. A race of people who still categorically see and deal with it everyday. Im not talking about private property Im talking about a place that is intended for the citizens to engage and enjoy. I believe on the inside there should be a state of art detailed display laying out the history of the Confederacy and the role it played in history. This way those that are for it may honor it properly, be allowed to celebrate it and cherish it. Those that are against will still be able to get the history but not be forced to walk under such a unsettling cloud. As it relates to African Americans it is a must that we also know about each flag and its meaning. It is key for the sake of education and as a reminder of how much we have conquered along the way. By the way anybody heard from Councilman Vogler?
Straight shooter…I like your nickname. Here are some considerations about slavery and the American Indian, that you will find interesting:
When the Spanish-American War concluded successfully in December 1898, President McKinley ,14 December 1898 he gave a speech in which he urged reconciliation based on the outstanding service of Southerners during the recent war with Spain.
Remember, as part of the conciliation, several former Confederate officers were commissioned as generals to include former Confederate cavalry general, Wheeler. This is what McKinley said: “…every soldier’s grave made during our unfortunate civil war [sic] is a tribute to American valor… And the time has now come… when in the spirit of fraternity we should share in the care of the graves of the Confederate soldiers…The cordial feeling now happily existing between the North and South prompts this gracious act and if it needed further justification it is found in the gallant loyalty to the Union and the flag so conspicuously shown in the year just passed by the sons and grandsons of those heroic dead.”
The response from Congress to this plea was magnanimous and resulted in the Appropriations Act of FY 1901
In 1957, Confederate Soldiers and Sailors were given a monthly pension in recognition of their military service, equal to the service of those in the military or naval forces of the United States.
(US Statutes at Large Volume 72, Part 1, Page 133-134)
As to the Native American, he chose to serve with the Confederacy, overwhelmingly. The Cherokees of North Carolina and Indian Territory were completely on the Southern side in the conflict. The last Confederate General to surrender was General Stand Watie…American Indian.
This is a complicated issue, as no one I know wants to glorify or justify slavery or mistreatment of Native Americans. We need to come together, as Americans, and allow the honorable service of North and South to stand. The old Veterans did it..we can, as well. By the way…the service of the Black Americans in the Confederate service is well established, but just now coming forth. At last. Black veterans came to the Confederate Reunions…but who knew?
Love is more powerful than hate. Let us us it to bring us all together, and honor the men who served the right, as God gave them to see the right [Lincoln’s words].
We have nothing to fear from displaying the historical flags that once waved over the Sutherlin Mansion. We are one nation, now.
Rev… I’m glad you like the name (I did quite a bit of pondering about it) They are definitely considerations and I can appreciate the history of it all. When you talk about who fought with the Confederate Army as specially as it relates to African Americans please consider choice. . . of which we had none. Its not like circumstances changed much after the Civil War. Remember the water hoses and the K-9 dogs served up to my people? It was called Bloody Monday, This same place that mistreated us when it was the Library in the 60’s Do you see the pattern yet? Is a awesome display of The Confederacy on the inside so bad. Last I checked the displays on the inside of Smithstonian were okay why not Danville. A simple concession could be made and with that the outcome you so eloquently stated you would like to see. The fear that you speak is on behalf of those that are afraid it will come down. As if it would lesson it’s historical place, If it were to remain then to be historically accurate an additional monument should be resurrected to pay homage to those that defeated the Confederate Army as it relates to Danville. Then everyone wins.
This IP address has also posted under the name “Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.” and “Khalid sheikh Ali”. Just sayin’.
Everyone wins…we just have to admit it, and allow it. The haters lose, those who allow a resolution, win. My dear friend and colleague, Rev. Doyle Thomas said, “There is no real problem..the Confederates lost, and the Union won. We should have no problem with that.” He was a real gentleman, and he could see clearly that we need to come together more than we need to stir up old bad feelings. K-9 dogs and water hoses do not define who we are, my brother. Love is greater than hate…let us use it to full effect. I think that Martin L. King wanted us all to leave the past unpleasantness behind, and to embrace the future. We can do that. We just need to stop heaving bricks at one another. The South included the black, the Indian, and the Creole…we have a rich heritage to share. Danville needs to learn how to love itself…and it will be a nicer, more wonderful place..in my humble opinion.
We can do this. Yet…we cannot undo history. And, that is alright. let us just learn how to let it be…and go on from there. The American Federal flag waved over more than 80 years of slavery…but I still love that flag. I do not love slavery, and so it goes. I am a Virginian…and I love all Virginians. Period. Let us allow both flags to wave in the breeze, while we help to make a better world. imho.
Rev I appreciate your thoughts although we can agree to disagree. Interesting testimony about the legendary Rev Doyle Thomas, his son his alive and doing very well I’m wondering what his take would be on your thoughts. As soon as real dialog begins ole Southside Bruce attempts to muddy the water. Stick to searching for parking Jerks of the Day. I thought this was a forum to discuss. You couldn’t take it obviously, to much admitted African American interaction, don’t worry Brucey we see you. That’s what you want right? Well you got it. (WINK) Just sayin’
Lolwut? Carry on. 😀
If you are so bold “straight shooter” then post under your real name.
If I were to satisfy your request then what you do with that info? Whats your real full name? Im not sure that it would aid in the discussion. Someone among us is off topic.
It’s Williams, Jeff Williams. I don’t hide behind an alias….
FYI: Danville City Council Resolution NO. 83-4.19 (Danville Fine Arts 40 year lease agreement with the City) states “and agreements herein contained of the sum of ten dollars ($10), cash in hand paid in advance by the Museum to the City in full payment of rental for the term of.
this lease….
For 25 cents a year… I believe we can find a better and more friendly renter of the “Last Capitol of the Confederacy” building !!!
Happy Trails Fine Arts Museum !!!
FYI: Danville City Clerk’s Office Deed Book 88, page 17
On January 2,1913 the City of Danville purchased the Sutherlin Home Property from the Danville Confederate Memorial Association under the conditions to acquire, preserve documents, books, paintings, and other things relating to the history of the Confederate States, to conduct and maintain a museum of mementos and relics of the war between the states, to conduct a park, and library in the City of Danville ….
In 1971 the City of Danville breached their contract of the property by leasing it to the Danville Fine Arts Museum.
Straight Shooter is right about Vogler. You will never get that shifty sister on the record about anything unless it promotes his own interests.
Now aint that the truth!
Let’s see how this council upholds the words and deeds of the council that entered into the agreement on the monument. Then we shall see how to proceed. If it’s that easy to throw out an agreement, it’s just as easy to throw out city council members. As I stated earlier, politicians are only as good as their words and actions. Let’s start building a tourist super center around the museum and make it a jewel that shines like a star. The government stripped us of our cotton. Then they stripped us of our textiles. They won’t take our history, unless WE allow it. We have a golden opportunity here to make a comeback and put the “Last Capitol of the Confederacy” back on the map with a home run and ALL can prosper, or we can tuck our tails and submit to those who wish to cast shame for the past. I prefer to live in the present and prosper from the past. Any takers?
Twenty years have passed. Attitudes have changed. This is going to be a tough battle to win.
Tough battle to win? I agree. I wouldn’t want to be in your shoes! Be careful what you ask for.
Is there an online source for the Danville City Council Resolutions? Can’t find anything on the city website or lexis.
The museum director Burk started the latest flag fight at the direction of Dr Stuber and the DRF, thus again making us all look like fools. I see that she is quitting her museum job. Is she going to work for DRF as a payback for doing Stuber’s bidding?
I’ve heard the same thing. It seems like something Southside Central could find out about.
I’ve heard the same thing. Looks like SC could find out about it.