City of Florence Kicks Handy Museum to the Curb

 

Editor's Note: Do you know the definition of "cultural worker?" According to Devyn Springer, it's a term used by socialists, Black nationalists, and other radical organizers to describe some who work in the art field.

Now here's an interesting take on Florence's museum situation by a reader who is billed as the Astute Professor:

Anticipation has already begun for the return of this year's W.C. Handy Music Festival. One question on everyone's mind is why did the city remove the W.C. Handy Museum from its official webpage?

Three years ago ownership of the W.C. Handy Birthplace, Museum and Library was handed over to the foundation. That action effectively delivered ownership of the historic west Florence home back to the Handy family.

Is that why the newly built www.florencealmuseums.com only includes Kennedy-Douglas Center for the Arts, Pope's Tavern Museum, Florence Indian Mound Museum, and Frank Lloyd Wright Rosenbaum House?

Could the deletion of the museum be due in part to the fact that the new site solicits donations? That would be a good reason, but does not explain why the Children's Museum received the same treatment. It is questionable if that museum is even open to the public, but a fundraiser at the Children's Museum was held on June 12. If that museum is no longer in operation where did that money go?

I understand that supporting tourism is no longer a hip thing in Florence, but why all the unnecessary confusion? For example, the new website has this to say about Pope's Tavern:

"Located in downtown Florence, the Pope’s Tavern Museum interprets the early history of the city of Florence and Lauderdale County through educational programming, public discourse, and community engagement.

"Programs at the museum include historical talks, films, and workshops centered on early Florence history. The Museum aims to become a downtown institution, known for creative, historical events and gatherings focused on understanding the past and the present."

How many misnomers can you find in those two paragraphs? A city of Florence museum employee recently described herself and colleagues as "cultural workers." Maybe that is the problem?