By William C. Kashatus - April 16th 2009

Instead of focusing on where historic events occurred,

he goes for the glitz!

Gov. Rendell may be a wonderful promoter of Pennsylvania tourism, but he has little understanding of the deep, intrinsic value of the commonwealth's historic sites.

The governor would rather promote high-tech history at glitzy museums, such as the National Constitution Center and the proposed American Revolution Center, than invest in the interpretation and preservation of the sites where Pennsylvania's rich history actually occurred.

Predictably, Rendell's budget for the 2009 fiscal year proposes a 20 percent cut in funding for the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, which operates more than 20 historical sites across the commonwealth. The reduction would not only close several of those sites, but would also eliminate all of the commission's grant programs, which fund historic preservation, local history, archives and records management, and museum projects, while also supporting the general operations of statewide organizations, museums, and historical societies.

The savings would amount to $4.9 million in a state budget of $61.7 billion. In addition, the historical commission's own operating budget would be reduced from $25.8 million to $24 million.

Among the local sites threatened is Brandywine Battlefield Historic Site in Chester County. On Sept. 11, 1777, it saw the largest engagement of the Revolutionary War, between Continental Army forces led by Gen. George Washington and British forces headed by Gen. William Howe.

Brandywine is just one of seven sites statewide that are threatened by Rendell's budget proposal. Others include the Berks County homestead of colonial diplomat Conrad Weiser; the Northumberland residence of Joseph Priestly, an 18th-century English theologian and scientist; and the Fort Pitt Museum and Bushy Run Battlefield, western Pennsylvania sites that are critical to understanding the French and Indian War.

Rendell would rather concentrate on glitzier, state-of-the-art museums. Take Philadelphia's National Constitution Center, for example. When the museum was proposed in 1996, some in the administration of the National Park Service discouraged the idea, insisting that the story of the Constitution could be better told within the historic structures of Independence National Historical Park - where constitutional history was actually made.

But then-Mayor Rendell insisted on a brand-new, state-of-the-art structure, swayed by the National Constitution Center planning team's claim that the museum would "inform, inspire, and entertain several million visitors each year" and "also serve as the central focus of a nationwide network dealing with constitutional issues."

Instead, the center became a $185 million curiosity. While it contains nearly 76,000 square feet of high-tech exhibits, it has an additional 160,000 square feet of empty space. Nor did the promised national constitutional dialogue transpire, because the museum could not achieve the necessary level of collaboration with educational and governmental institutions.

Simply put, the center never achieved its grand design because nothing of any historical consequence ever occurred on the site.

These days, Rendell is touting a similar state-of-the-art museum, the American Revolution Center, to be built on private land inside Valley Forge National Historical Park, at an estimated cost of $180 million.

Once again, the National Park Service opposes the idea, maintaining that it will damage wildlife and the ground where history actually occurred. But that has not deterred Rendell, who's already committed $12 million for the project, in addition to the $8 million former Gov. Mark Schweiker allocated to the museum during his final year in office.

Such "high-tech history" enterprises are not only fiscally irresponsible at a time when the country is in a severe recession. They also lack the integrity of the sites where our nation's history actually took place. Let's hope the state legislature shows more historical wisdom than the governor when it comes time to vote on his budget proposal.

Reservations
for Preservation

Brandywine Valley

Bed & Breakfast Association raises money to save

Brandywine Battlefield Historic Site

Donations will be matched by

Brandywine Conference & Visitors Bureau

Released April 6th 2009

CHADDS FORD - The Brandywine Valley Bed & Breakfast Association has launched a “Reservations for Preservation” program to help save the historic Brandywine Battlefield Park.

“One of the major attractions in our area,

the Brandywine Battlefield, is in danger of closing due to a cut back in funding from the Pennsylvania Museum and Historical Commission,” said Glenn Mon, Vice President of the Brandywine Valley Bed & Breakfast Association. “This site is one of the most significant attractions in the Brandywine Valley, not only from a historical perspective, but from a visitor perspective as well.”
 

The state commission announced last month that Brandywine was one of a number of state sites under consideration to be closed. A final decision is expected in June.

According to Rick Carro, President of the Association, 80% of the membership of the Bed & Breakfast Association has joined the Reservations for Preservation program. Each member will donate $1 per reservation to the Brandywine preservation fund. The group averages almost 5,000 reservations per year. The Brandywine Conference and Visitors Bureau has agreed to match the contributions up to $5,000.
 
The battlefield certainly needs more than the $10,000 that the Reservations for Preservation program expects to raise,” Carro said. “But we hope that our efforts will spur support from other businesses and groups in the region and possibly beyond.”

The Brandywine Battlefield Park Associates are looking into ways to maintaining the battlefield park as a publicly-accessible historic site. The state has indicated it is looking for another group to run the park or to turn the park into passive space but the associates group is committed to maintaining the historic integrity of the site.
 

“In 1777 we fought the Red Coats at Brandywine Battlefield, now we’re fighting Red Ink,” said Linda Kaat, President of the Brandywine Battlefield Park Associates. “We are very appreciative of the efforts of the bed and breakfasts of the Brandywine Valley in their efforts to assist us in maintaining this valuable area attraction as a viable operation.”
 
“The Brandywine was the site of one of the most important events in the history of the United States,” said Bruce Mowday, author of the book on the battle, September 11, 1777, Washington’s Defeat at Brandywine Dooms Philadelphia, and former President of the Battlefield Associates. 

“This was the main engagement of the Philadelphia campaign, the largest land battle of the war, the first fight that included Lafayette. Future Supreme Court Chief Justice John Marshall also fought there, among many other historic figures.  The Continental Congress fled Philadelphia that night because of the loss. This historic site should not be allowed to be turned into a passive park. It is an outrage.”
 

Brandywine Valley Bed & Breakfast Association members participating in the Reservations for Preservation program are:

•  1732 Folke Stone B&B - 610.429.0310
• 1800 Tory Inne - 610.431.2788
• Bancroft Manor - 610.470.4297
• B&B at Walnut Hill - 610. 444.3703
• Fairville Inn - 610.388.5900
• Faunbrook B&B - 610.436.5788
• Hamanassett B&B - 610.459.3000
• Kennett House - 610.444.9592
• Longwood B&B Inn - 877.388.6080
• Pennsbury Inn B&B - 610.388.1435
• Snug Hollow Farm B&B - 610.692.3281
• Sweetwater Farm B&B - 610.459.4711