Had I known this would happen, I might have sucked it up and gone to JT's appreciation dinner and seen the museum, too. Life circumstances kept me from feeling I could afford the time and expense, but I always thought I'd be able to see the museum when I finally make it to Boise. Very sad, indeed.

this shortening of the peoples' memory seems headed to a rootless mental nomad-ism.15

My wife and I have been involved off and on in the field of Museology for over 30 years. The digital age, as you define it, has not only enhanced the field of historic preservation, but has spurned renewed interest.

Just in our little state alone, two universities within the last five years have added historic preservation, and museum curation as degree programs, and enrollments stayed filled up. One has added a graduate program.

Over the years, my wife has been commissioned to paint murals used to enhance exhibits in museums, large and small, private and public, that commemorate both prehistoric and historic Indians, Civil War battlefields, and portraits of historic figures. One of her proudest moments was receiving a commission from the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Nation to paint a portrait of Sequoya h. At the unveiling, the Chief of the Eastern Band at that time, Chief Blankenship, told her it was the most spiritually correct image of Sequoya h that anyone had ever done.

Just last week she was offered a commission to paint a rather large mural that is going to be use to enhance an exhibit of a prehistoric Mississippian Indian mound complex discovered in Nashville at the site of the new baseball park being built at historic Sulpher Dell. This site also has great meaning to many who played in the old Negro leagues. Many of the greats played there, and it is well known among students of the game.

In short, I say these things not to be disagreeable, indeed, it's sad that such a lovely diorama is being closed. However, it's not because of the "digital age." There is more money, both in the public sector, and through private endowments, for historic preservation, then there's been for quite some time.

I hope this might allay some of your fears that the past is being forgotten.

Regards
Joe

requesting more info and ascertain their interest in keeping the collection together.

The whole situation is unfortunate, but presents an opportunity for a more permanent home.

I thought Cabelas would be heavy enough to keep things in tack for 30 years or more.

No idea of who when Or where the auction will be.

--
Of the Troops & For the Troops

when we were up there attending JT's dinner.