LANCissues.org - Election Procedures Issues

Here's all about the:

PLEASE HELP YOUR NORTHEAST NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCILS
SAVE LOS ANGELES' OLDEST MUSEUM !

by: Heinrich Keifer
hkeifer101@sbcglobal.net

The NCs of the Arroyo Seco (northeast) area of Los Angeles urgently need your help. The Autry Museum of Western Heritage recently closed the Southwest Museum, Los Angeles´ oldest museum founded in 1905 by Charles Fletcher Lummis and other prominent Angelinos. They did this ostensibly for repairs, but it appears their aim is to move the priceless Indian artifact collection from the Southwest to a new museum to be built near the Autry INVOLVING CITY LAND.

A community coalition has been negotiating with the Autry for 3 years to no avail. The Autry essentially gained trusteeship of a priceless collection for assisting the Southwest in a difficult time of need three years ago-perhaps a penny or two (or less) on the dollar. This multi-million dollar collection is the largest ever assembled in the United States and it should remain in Highland Park.

WE ARE NOT ASKING FOR THE AUTRY TO GIVE UP THE COLLECTION. WE ARE ASKING THEM TO BE FAIR, ONLY THAT THEY CONTINUE TO PRESERVE IT AND DISPLAY IT IN THE HISTORIC MUSEUM THAT WAS BUILT FOR IT IN THE MOUNT WASHINGTON AREA OF HIGHLAND PARK. WE HAVE NO OBJECTION THAT THEIR NAME IS UNDER THE SOUTHWEST NAME ON THE SIGN TO THE MUSEUM. BUT . . .

WE WANT THE SOUTHWEST MUSEUM PRESERVED FOR POSTERITY.

WHAT YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL CAN DO TO HELP

#1 Please pass the following resolution in your council meeting:

Resolution

Resolved, that the (name of your NC) ________________________ hereby supports the Northeast neighborhood councils of the Arroyo Seco and the community coalition who are trying to save Los Angeles' oldest museum, the historic Southwest Museum, as follows:

Whereas, the Southwest Museum on Mount Washington in Highland Park is Los Angeles' oldest museum and houses the largest Indian artifact collection in the United States; and

Whereas, the Autry Museum of Western Heritage has gained trusteeship of the collection and has closed the Southwest Museum for "repairs" and has an intention of moving the Indian artifact collection to a new museum near the Autry to be built on or involving CITY LAND; and Whereas, the Mayor has publicly supported the people of Northeast Los Angeles against any such move; and

Whereas, there must be a commitment by the Autry Museum-so far unrealized-to preserve the historic Southwest Museum AND IT COLLECTIONS as a single entity where it was founded in 1905; and

Whereas, the City of Los Angeles should do all in its power to ensure that the Southwest Museum remains the one and only venue for the display of the greatest Indian artifact collection ever assembled in the United States; and

Whereas, we as a neighborhood council feel it is important to speak up in favor of each neighborhood council's right to protect and defend its cultural identity and cultural icons;

Now Therefore, we, the (name of your NC) ___________________ hereby call upon our Mayor, our City Council member(s), the Planning Commission, and the Cultural Heritage Commission to tie any deal or approval regarding City Land or other City approval to a written agreement by the Autry Museum to preserve the Southwest Museum and its collections as a single entity where it has existed for over one hundred years.

#2 Send your resolution to the (1) Mayor, (2) your City Council member(s), (3) the Planning Commission, and (4) the Cultural Heritage Commission. (Community Impact Statement)

Thank you for your help in assisting us. Right now there is an attempt to "pirate" our city region´s cultural icons. Someday the shoe may be on the other foot and we will be there to help you.

For more Information, contact Heinrich Keifer at (323) 258-7920 - hkeifer101@sbcglobal.net.

For more info please see:
www.friendsofthesouthwestmuseum.com