THE STRUGGLE TO KEEP SAN FERNANDO VALLEY HERITAGE - IN THE VALLEY

Tarzana Orange Tree - 2008 - The Museum of the San Fernando Valley
The argument for removal of art, artifacts and even buildings from their original sites is nothing new. The British Museum argues that the Elgin Marbles are SO much safer in London. Powerful organizations, with powerful (and, full time administrative staffs) gain stature by their collections, and too often at the expense of weaker, less funded organizations. In a classic "blaming the victim" scenario, folks who try to keep their local heritage are chastised with barbs like, "why weren't you better organized! Why didn't you see us coming for your art or historic treasures?"

The San Fernando Valley has at yet no great Museum of art and culture, organized and funded to lay preemptive protections from those who would come to demolish our treasures, buy our patrimony, or simply rip us off. Priceless objects from our entertainment industry heritage are simply sold away on E-bay.

HAVING TO FIGHT TO KEEP THE HISTORIC WEDDINGTON HOUSE IN THE VALLEY - AND TO INSURE THAT IT IS SAFEGUARDED FOR HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL PURPOSES IS GOOD FOR US!

We may lose the battle over the Weddington House. Our opponents are powerful, better organized, and well funded. But, this time the Museum Community is determined to fine-tune our organization. We will ask those who wrote emails to Councilman Tom LaBonge, the Cultural Heritage Commission and the Mayor to join with us to build an organization that few will want to "mess with!" The downtown establishment expects that we will fade away after the heat of the moment. But, they are wrong. If the Weddington House ends up in Heritage Square, we will continue to relentlessly fight to see it returned to the San Fernando Valley - if it takes years!

JOIN THE MUSEUM COMMUNITY TODAY. You can help in lots of ways.
1) Support your Museum financially
2) Join one of the Museum's Community Committees
3) Safeguard Valley history by donating your historical objects to the Museum or another local Valley history site.
4) Keep those letters and e-mails going to City Hall and to the media
5) Help us find corporate support
6) Identify historical and cultural places in the Valley - we'll get them included on the city-wide Getty survey
7) Send us your name, address, telephone no and email and become part of the Valley's Museum Community data base.

Thanks for caring.
The San Fernando Valley deserves a great Museum of history and culture.