So, over $11.2 million has been spent on the Chattanooga History Center and now the plan is to (maybe) set up an exhibit at the public library? (An exhibit that very few will probably see other than local school children.)
According to "officials" of the Center, over $9 million was spent to acquire and retrofit a building - that officials of the Center now acknowledge will never host the Center. Do I understand that correctly? Whose buddy profited on that deal?
Just imagine what could be built from scratch for $2, $3, or $4 million - much less $9+ million and not even have a completed project (excuse me, over $11.2 million have been spent in total).
I also notice that the Center spent funds for "interest on its debt". Does that mean the Center has wasted and now owes even more money than what it has wasted to this point?
I sincerely hope that our District Attorney's office and/or the IRS will take a look at this situation ("situation" is the nicest word I could possibly put on a scam like this one).
William Parker (Not the "Billy Parker" formerly on the board of the Center according to its website.)
* * *
As a recent champion of local history, I, too, am saddened and often-confused (as many are) about the shortcomings at the Chattanooga History Center. As I read Mr. Parker’s editorial and other discouraging comments on social media about the situation, I have to wonder why all of these intensely concerned individuals who are now accusing and shaming the CHC didn’t step up before and pitch in to help support and save the center. The CHC’s problems have been well publicized, and very few have come forward with aid or options.
Most of the money, from my understanding, came from private and corporate donations. Unless you gave or put some sweat equity into the cause, there’s not much room to complain.
I’ve worked almost two years with the small team at the CHC with my local history project, Picnooga, and I can testify that they are profoundly dedicated and devoted to preserving and maintaining their collections and education. They’ve worked especially hard to see the center through to an opening.
It’s easy to call this a scam, but a scam makes absolutely no sense. In my opinion, the downfall of the CHC was big vision (and there’s nothing wrong with thinking big) and lack of commitment and community support. After all is said, scaled down and audited, it’ll come down to the lack of funds and interest from people with the resources to finish what they started.
The good news is that enthusiasm over Chattanooga area history is very much alive and available to the public. There are many individuals and organizations that do a very good job of preserving and sharing the Chattanooga story through alternative media. Even so, Chattanoogans deserve a place where they can receive a first hand sensory experience of local history.
David Moon, Picnooga
* * *
We have an immense abundance of historical treasures in Chattanooga, and nearly every demographic group can lay a claim to a little piece of history.
Chattanooga and Tennessee owe their very names to our native American heritage, and as some historians claim Chattanooga means, " bend of the river".
What we do know is that Chattanooga's history began with figures like, Attakullakulla, Dragging Canoe, and the Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Creek (Muscogee), Yuchee, and Shawnee tribes that all have some lineage in this historical timeline. We are reminded of our Native American heritage when we look at the Brainerd Mission, visit Moccasin Bend, or reflect on John Ross and how he will be better known for leading one band of the Cherokee on the Trail of Tears, and not as the founder of Ross's Landing.
We reflect on our military history, and as we properly honored the Fallen Five who fell on July 16, 2015, Chattanooga's Memorial Day, our National Cemetery, America's first that was issued by military order, continued it's longstanding tradition of having a soldier from every American war entombed there. Likewise, our Civil War history is too numerous to detail, but we properly honor it with the nation's oldest and largest military park, Chickamauga and Chattanooga. Many of our more established treasures like Ruby Falls, Rock City, and the Aquarium, we should have no doubt will stand the test of time.
Nevertheless, the average citizens should be just as outraged over the sad circumstance that is currently our lack of a City History Center as many of our historians and social scientists are. With the knowledge that eleven million dollars have be virtually wasted and squandered, the public should be asking what if and what could have been?
What if we would have dedicated ourselves to supporting the Engel Stadium foundation, and ensure that this park and it's heritage remains intact? What if we would have donated to the the Tennessee Valley railroad museum, or helped John Wilson promote our railroad history with his new Railroad Series history book? Luther Massengale served 75 years on the air, and few would have argued to build a wing of the museum to him or to support David Carroll as he promotes the history of Chattanooga broadcasting. There are any number of causes we could have supported because in the last few years we have celebrated and commemorated the 60th Anniversary of Brown v.Board, 50th Anniversary of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, 50th Anniversary of the Voting Rights Act of 1965; 50th Anniversary of the 1963 March on Washington; 50th Anniversary of Bloody Sunday in Selma; and the 150th Anniversaries of the Civil War and the ratifying of the 13th Amendment.
Let us also remember, we are the home to Coca- Cola's first bottling plant; the home to the world's first Krystal; home to Chattanooga Bakery and the Moonpie; home to Chattem, which makes national brands like Icy-Hot and Gold Bond; home to Little Debbie; home to Praters floors who lays many of the nation's basketball courts. We can even say that Chattanooga is home to the Chopped Wiener, for I have found it difficult for anyone outside this town to have heard of them much less make them. We are also home to the Bessie Smith Cultural Center and the National Medal of Honor museum, and many of us historical enthusiasts were mortified when we learned seven or eight years ago that donated uniforms and artifacts were in danger of being lost because of lack of space. Can you imagine, the most prized possessions of a veteran, entrusted to this community, lost because of lack of space? Dalton Roberts was extremely saddened over this plight and our city's lack of inactivity on this historical sponsorship.
After half a decade and millions of dollars wasted we have to resign ourselves to the notion that the people of Chattanooga Hamilton County will not have a local history center for the unforseeable future. We don't know what the condition of the artifacts and collections are, or if people will trust the part-time staff with their valuables and prized possessions. Who will collect important papers and documents? Who will notate key events in the city, like July 16, 2015? What of our relationships with institutions like the Smithsonian and State history museum?What is the future plan and vision for the center going forward, if we should even have one?
Perhaps a dedicated committee to address some of these issues is necessary in the future, but as for today all we can say is to imagine the Chattanooga Hamilton County community without a local history center; what a shame, what a travesty, what an injustice to us all.
Eric Atkins, M.Ed