Division of Legislative Services > Legislative Record > 2005

HJR 747 - Joint Subcommittee to Examine the Cost and Feasibility of Relocating the Museum and White House of the Confederacy

August 29, 2005

The Joint Subcommittee to Examine the Cost and Feasibility of Relocating the Museum and White House of the Confederacy held its second meeting on August 29, 2005, at the General Assembly Building in Richmond. The subcommittee heard several presentations addressing the educational and historical significance of the White House and Museum of the Confederacy, as well as the impact of relocation and the feasibility of alleviating certain problems facing the Museum and White House in its current location.

PRESENTATIONS

Virginia Department of Historic Resources
Kathleen Kilpatrick, Director of the Virginia Department of Historic Resources, spoke as an advocate for the preservation of the White House. Although sympathetic to the museum's difficulties in its present location in the Clay Street corridor, Ms. Kilpatrick noted that the situation is not unique to the museum or to the City of Richmond. In fact, several historic landmarks in other American cities have faced the challenges that arise from modern urban development. Examples include the Paul Revere House in Boston, the Babe Ruth Museum in Baltimore, the Betsy Ross House in Philadelphia, the Walt Whitman Birthplace on Long Island, and the Alamo in San Antonio.

Ms. Kilpatrick also explained that the White House of the Confederacy is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and the Virginia Landmarks Register. In addition, the White House is one of 117 Virginia properties to have been designated by the Secretary of the Interior as a National Historic Landmark. Given the historical significance of the White House, which has stood in its current location since 1818, Ms. Kilpatrick concluded that the museum should sort out the problems it faces in its current downtown location rather than pursuing a relocation that could compromise the historic integrity of the structure.

Richmond National Battlefield Park and Maggie L. Walker National Historic Site
Cynthia MacLeod, Superintendent of the Richmond National Battlefield Park and Maggie L. Walker National Historic Site, suggested that "the proposed cure of moving the structure would be a treatment sure to cause even more harm to the White House of the Confederacy."

First, Ms. MacLeod cited the National Historic Landmark guidelines: "Because national significance is embodied in locations and settings as well as in the properties themselves, moving a property usually destroys the relationships between the property and its surroundings and usually destroys associations with historic events and persons." Relocation, Ms. MacLeod concluded, would jeopardize the structure's designation as a National Historic Landmark. She further predicted that if its designation were lost, it could not be regained.

In addition, Ms. MacLeod pointed out that the museum's current visitation is comparable with visitation numbers at the Tredegar visitor center-another of Richmond's downtown Civil War sites-and concluded that relocation will not guarantee the financial viability of the Museum and White House.

Professor Slipek of Virginia Commonwealth University
Edwin J. Slipek, Professor of architectural history at Virginia Commonwealth University and teacher of architectural history at the Maggie L. Walker Governor's School, presented the subcommittee with the possibility of re-opening East Clay Street to link Court End historical sites with the Richmond Convention Center. Mr. Slipek envisioned a "world class historical corridor" linking several of downtown Richmond's historic sites. Urging a comprehensive approach to the museum's situation, Mr. Slipek proposed that revitalization of the Clay Street corridor combined with additional parking facilities and marketing would increase visitation at the museum and alleviate its financial problems.

Science Museum of Virginia
Walter R.T. Witschey, Ph.D., Director of the Science Museum of Virginia, presented a "Vision for the Boulevard" prepared by the American Society of Landscape Architects, Virginia Chapter, and Museums on the Boulevard. Specifically, Dr. Witschey focused on the Museum District in which the Virginia Historical Society, Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, the Science Museum of Virginia, and the Children's Museum of Richmond are located. Although there is little available property near the Science Museum of Virginia, Dr. Witschey suggested that should the museum relocate, the Boulevard Museum District could be a good new location in light of ample parking in the area and the proximity of other museums.

Robert H. Lamb, Esq. of Wright & Law in Washington, D.C.
Robert H. Lamb, Esq., a member of the law firm of Wright & Law in Washington, D.C., has several family ties to the Museum and White House and urged the subcommittee to explore the alternatives to moving the White House. In particular, Mr. Lamb encouraged the subcommittee to give thoughtful attention to Mr. Slipek's proposal to revitalize the Clay Street corridor and create additional parking facilities. Mr. Lamb further noted that the White House is inextricably linked to the land on which it currently sits by the momentous events that took place both in the house itself and the surrounding property.

PUBLIC COMMENT

The subcommittee concluded its meeting by allowing time for public comment. Those who spoke recognized the historical significance of the site on which the White House currently sits, but were divided on whether the structure should remain in that location in light of the problems associated with it. The Henrico County Historical Society informed the subcommittee that its board voted to recommend that the White House remain at its current location.

FUTURE MEETINGS

The joint subcommittee will hold two additional meetings at the General Assembly Building in Richmond. The third meeting will be on September 26 at 2:00 p.m. in House Room C. The fourth and final meeting will be held in House Room D on November 21 at 2:00 p.m. in House Room D.

At the September meeting, the joint subcommittee plans to further address the possibility of making improvements to the Clay Street corridor and explore the costs and engineering challenges of moving the White House.

Chairman:
The Hon. R. Lee Ware

For information, contact:
Robie Ingram, Bryan Stogdale, DLS Staff

 

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