The LA Times and Daily Breeze reported that the LA city deficit will affect the future of the Drum Barracks and/or the Bannning Residence Museum. With the budget cuts, the city has created a “potential layoff” list. A curator from one of the following sites will be let go: the Drum Barracks, the Banning Residence Museum and Fort MacArthur in San Pedro.
The Wilmington Drum Barracks is the last remaining Civil War-era military facility in Southern California. Susan Ogle, the museum’s curator, is the only full-time employee.
From the LA Times:
Kathy Ralston, president of the Drum Barracks support group, said that since Ogle took over as director in 2000, attendance has jumped from 1,800 to 12,000 a year. In a letter to Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and other elected officials, Ralston wrote, “With the removal of a full-time employee supervising the day-to-day operations of the museum, the Drum Barracks Garrison and Society is concerned with the safety of the artifacts on display in the museum.”
The article focuses on the Drum Barracks because, from the three sites, it is probably the one that will have to figure out how to survive without a curator. The museum may stay open with the help of volunteers, but there will be no one to work on special exhibits, archiving and maintenance.
If you would like to help the Drum Barracks stay open, write a letter to Mayor Villaraigosa or give a donation.
Write the Mayor and bug his ass tell him how he came to Wilmas when he was running for Mayor and how he got lots of votes from the Wilmas raza. Also how he say's he is such a Chicano Advocate just remind his Media loving fake ass Chicano.
Peace Out Jente just a concern Wilmas resident
If anyone wants to start a campaign, connect with Kathy Ralston and Susan Ogle. I'm sure they would appreciate the community support! Everyone can do something, just have to figure out what that something is. 🙂