Please share this email with everyone with whom you correspond on email. Please tell them to visit the homepage of the Franklin D. Roosevelt American Heritage Center Museum at http://www.fdrheritage.org for a special message.
BREAKING NEWS: The Franklin D. Roosevelt American Heritage Center Museum is under attack from the Worcester City Manager’s Office! Without consulting us in any way, the City Manager’s office has signed a lease with a company to take over large portions of the second floor of Union Station, including the space occupied by our nonprofit museum of American history, which means that we are being evicted. We have also been told we have until the end of July, 2007 to move out. Please visit our Emergency Action Page to help us defeat this attempt to attack the legacies of Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt and the New Deal!
SAVE THE FDR CENTER MUSEUM!
The purpose of the Franklin D. Roosevelt American Heritage Center, Inc. is to provide educational and other learning opportunities concerning Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt, with focus on the New Deal in American history during the 1930s and 1940s, the continued importance and relevance of the New Deal legacy in the world today, and to promote dissemination of such topics to the public. The Franklin D. Roosevelt American Heritage Center is a charitable, not for profit organization with IRS 501(c)(3) status. For more information please contact Dr. Joseph J. Plaud.
During the past three years the FDR Center Museum has become a major cultural resource to the citizens of greater Worcester, Massachusetts, including New England and many areas around the country whose citizens have visited our museum of American history. In a recent article published in the Worcester Telegram & Gazette chronicling our imminent demise, Julie A. Jacobson, assistant city manager, was quoted as saying that we had ample opportunity to remain at Union Station, and that we knew for years that our time would be up as tenants in this beautiful building. These statements are not true, supported by a July 11, 2006 Telegram & Gazette article about the FDR Center Museum in which Ms. Jacobson told the reporter that “The museum and the city will revisit the arrangement in a year’s time.” The sad story here is that the City Manager’s office at no time approached our museum to renegotiate the lease, never offered us any means to stay at Union Station, and only informed us of the new tenant arrangement several hours before the deal was announced to the media. Those are the facts. I wonder whether there is some anti-New Deal sentiment in City Hall manifesting itself in this behavior? But this is all a side story. The more important issue is this: the people of greater Worcester, the people of New England, and indeed the citizens of America will in all probability lose a major social and cultural institution, and a public building renovated with over thirty million dollars of taxpayers’ money will become a glorified private office building. Worcester and its people deserve better. Please read the May 9, 2007 letter sent to Congressman James P. McGovern (D-Worcester) concerning our urgent plight.
What you can do to help:
Contact the Worcester City Manager’s Office and voice your concerns about their short-sighted and inexcusable behavior:
Michael V. O’Brien, City Manager, City Hall Room 309 – 455 Main Street Worcester, MA 01608 – (508) 799-1175
Send a Letter to the Editor of the Worcester Telegram & Gazette (250 words or less):
The Editor, The Worcester Telegram and Gazette – 20 Franklin St., Box 15012, Worcester, MA 01615-0012 – (508) 793-9100; Fax: (508) 793-9313; Email: letters@telegram.com
Thank you for your support of the legacies of Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt and the New Deal!
During the past three years in which our Franklin D. Roosevelt American Heritage Center Museum and its programs have been in full operation, I have never come to you for financial assistance. Even though we are a non-profit, charitable organization with IRS 501(c)3 status — meaning that all contributions to the FDR Center Museum are fully tax-deductible — I have been shouldering the financial pressures of keeping the FDR Center Museum open and thriving largely myself. If we are to survive our current state of affairs we will need financial assistance, and immediately. To paraphrase Winston S. Churchill?s urgent message to President Roosevelt, appealing to FDR for American cooperation and assistance in Britain?s fight against Nazi tyranny during the early days of World War II: ?In the long history of the world, this is a thing to do now!? It is our goal to raise $50,000 by June 30, 2007, and all funds raised will go directly to the Franklin D. Roosevelt American Heritage Center Museum for three primary purposes:
1. To prepare for what appears to be the inevitability of a major move of our FDR Center Museum out of Worcester’s Union Station to a new location; 2. To assist in having funds available for basic operations once we have identified an appropriate facility in which to move; 3. To assist with any legal bills that may accumulate as a function of dealing with the City of Worcester relating to the events surrounding the termination of our lease, effective July 31, 2007.
Again, I emphasize that the FDR Center Museum is a 501(c)3 organization, therefore all contributions to the FDR Center are fully tax-deductible. We have a goal of raising at least $50,000 before the beginning of July, 2007. These funds will serve the urgent need to assist us in this unfortunate situation that has developed during the past three weeks which is beyond our control, but for the ability for us to use this crisis as an opportunity to move the FDR Center Museum and thrive in the long-term in order to promote the legacy of the New Deal, especially to students. I am truly hoping that you can assist us, by contributing to the FDR Center Museum at this critical times as well as in getting the word out and networking with others to address this urgent fundraising goal. I hope you too join our FDR Center Museum as a member. It’s easy, just go to:
http://www.fdrheritage.org/help.htm.
I really look forward to hearing back from you. Thanks so much. Your tax-deductible gift to the FDR Center Museum (checks can be made out to the FDR American Heritage Center) should be sent to:
Dr. Joseph J. Plaud
FDR American Heritage Center
44 Hickory Lane
Whitinsville, MA 01588-1356
Credit card donations can be made by clicking on the “Make a Donation” button our our webpage at http://www.fdrheritage.org/help.htm. I cannot emphasize strongly enough the urgent necessity of this appeal to assist us at this critical hour. You know that I have not come to you before asking for any contributions to keep this noble endeavor in full operation. However, given what has befallen us of late, I simply cannot fight this battle alone, either financially or in terms of social support, and urgently ask for your help. Thank you so much in advance for this assistance. Please also pass along this note to your friends and colleagues, and assist us in reaching our emergency fund-raising goal.
Warm regards,
Joe Plaud
Joseph J. Plaud, Ph.D., BCBA
President and Founder
Franklin D. Roosevelt American Heritage Center Museum
Office: (508) 579-0043
Facsimile: (508) 526-8787
Website: http://www.fdrherita…
Email: plaud@fdrheritage.org
A ‘museum’ dedicated to liberalism’s greatest hero cannot get enough donation to rent space in Worcester, where buildings sit empty? Do they think being an organized charity entitles them to free rent forever? But of course! This IS a museum to FDR!
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I wonder if there would have been this outcry about a Calvin Coolidge Museum (who was President of the Mass. Senate and at least from Mass.!)
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Maybe they can get space in the American Antiquarian Society building up on Salisbury Street – a fitting home for FDR!
I hardly expected such a sarcastic response, sir. First of all, we are paying rent. I would hope that you would actually read the details I provided. As an American, regardless of whether or not you are a Republican, I would think you would want to preserve our history and our heritage without resorting to wisecracks. Calvin Coolidge’s Massachusetts papers are subsidized with tax dollars (our museum is NOT) through the Northampton Library, the Forbes Library. Please, sir, I invite you to look beyond political rhetoric, and see the real issues at stake here. Thank you. Joe Plaud
I was overly snarky, and that was wrong. but the idea that an FDR Museum cannot find support in Mass. is…well..odd.
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And really, the Antiquarian Society was not entirely in jest. Or the Clark Campus. Worcester has LOTS of empty real estate, and I am surprised a beneficiary hasn’t stepped forward. Heck, after the T&G layoffs, they may have space there.
I appreciate the response, and believe that you do raise a valid point about other cultural institutions such as the AAS and some other potential buildings. Cordially, Joe Plaud
asking them to not evict the museum from it’s current space.
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I also searched the internet a bit and found this nice NewsDay.com article about the museum
A passion for FDR in Massachusetts museum
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BY ADAM GORLICK, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS January 28, 2007
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I’ve emailed my friend Grace Ross who lives in Worcester (and who I think is running for City Council there) to see if she might be able to help with this situation. I didn’t even know the museum existed and Eleanor Roosevelt has become one of my most inspiring heroes over the last couple of years — I want to be able to visit it in that lovely building!!
That is exactly what is needed at this critical time, thank you so very much. JJP
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The anti-new deal sentiment is capitalism. You’re only paying $500 a month, right? Pretty prime space for $500 a month. You think the owner of the building should subsidize you?
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What’s your income? $60 to $70K, right? Then you pay out $45K in salaries or professional fees.
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Maybe the city was less than professional with its failure to notify you timely of its intention to renew, but from the numbers, the handwriting was on the wall.
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Looks like it’s high time to increase the income, find cheaper space, or close the door.
We are paying three times the amount you wrote, not sure where you got your numbers.
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This is not about capitalism, it’s about culture, history, heritage and due process. If you are a sitting tenant and your home is rented out from underneath you, without your knowledge or consent, then there is no justification for this.
…he enjoys making up facts.
Well now my curiosity is peaked. A nice lady with Public Charities tells me the occupancy costs were $6K and their income was $68K.
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Gov’ment. I just can’t trust ’em. Sorry for my mistatement.
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Regardless, Guidestar.org, via your own report filed Jan 2006 shows occupancy costs of $6K and income of $84K.
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Your rent has tripled since the filing of the report?
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I tried to locate the report on Guidestar, but didn’t locate it. As I understand it, the Museum moved into expanded space in September of 2006, from the much smaller original area, with a one year lease, and the expectation that “the museum and the city will revisit the arrangement in a year’s time.” Without seeing the report, that would be my expectation as to the cause of the different information.
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Kate Donaghue
(Disclosure: friend of Joe and Debbie Plaud)
Good move on McGovern, he will be able to have a lot of pull and is well known for his love of FDR. Have you contacted the Lt Governor?
As an American with Japanese ancestry I am overwhelmed with joy at the thought of the closing of FDR’s Holocaust Museam in Worcester, MA. Amen because my prayers have been answered.
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On February 19, 1942 our 32nd President, and Liberal sensation FDR signed executive order 9066 which effectively imprison 110,000 men, women and children of Japanese descent. Nearly 70,000 of whom were American Citizens. http://www.ourdocume…
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A far cry from Bush’s Guantanamo Bay isn’t guys.
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No charges were brought against “my people” nor could they appeal their incarceration. They were rounded up like cattle and moved to 1 of 10 different concentration camps. All the while, FDR was eating caviar and sipping champagne.
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You ask me sir, I say this couldn’t happen to a better guy. FDR is swine. Sir Swine
With regard to FDR and internment, I offer a reprint of an op-ed letter published last year in response to those who wish to bring up this issue in an historical vacuum, because you are not alone in your mis-representations of historical events. Yes internment was nothing but wrong, but before you pin this directly on FDR, perhaps you should understand that the issue was a bit more complicated than that:
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The Sunday Telegram recently published a letter by a reader attempting to justify the current Administration’s security measures by criticizing President Franklin D. Roosevelt, as well as taking several other shots at the domestic policies of FDR having nothing to do with his role as Commander in Chief during World War II. It is unfortunate that the writer of this letter makes very strongly worded statements and conclusions, yet has his “facts” about FDR so wrong. On February 19, 1942 President Roosevelt signed Executive Order 9066, and this executive order authorized the army to establish military areas in which civilians could be removed and transported to other areas as “evacuees.” This executive order did not specify that those of Japanese descent were to be removed, although this is essentially what occurred. The decisions to relocate citizens and non-citizens of Japanese descent were made by local political and military leaders, not FDR. For example, no such relocation was attempted in Hawaii during the war. And no evacuee was ever tortured. Further, this executive order was initiated by FDR’s war cabinet, and enthusiastically supported by most Americans, the military, the press, the Congress, and upheld by the Supreme Court. The internment of those of Japanese descent, both citizens and non-citizens, was a colossal mistake, and a blight on the otherwise impeccable record of leadership by President Roosevelt and his Administration during depression and war. But it is important to point out that Executive Order 9066 was an aberration, and does not detract from the fact that President Roosevelt led America to victory in a world war fought on five continents in less than three and a half years, while vastly safeguarding the rights and liberties of Americans at home. Hopefully we can learn from past mistakes so that our rights as citizens can be preserved in our current conflicts at home and abroad. However, a letter to the editor such as the one recently published by the Telegram that is so factually inaccurate and ad hominem in tone is no way for readers to learn about American history, or to make comparisons of the wartime leaderships of Presidents Roosevelt and Bush. Fortunately, Worcester has the Franklin D. Roosevelt American Heritage Center Museum located in Union Station, where visitors can come to learn about the enduring legacies of Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt and the New Deal.
Seems like these guys are minimizing FDR’s role in this tragedy, while trying to sugar coat a massive violation of civil rights.
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“The decisions to relocate citizens and non-citizens of Japanese descent were made by local political and military leaders, not FDR.” Well dah! Of course FDR didn’t get his hands dirty. He authorized his Secretary of War to do the job; the military. To creat the camps, to determine who enters and leaves. I have no doubt that it was the local yocal’s that were key in picking out which front doors to kick in. But to act like FDR had no idea what was happening as time wore on is a joke.
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These guys say this executive order was supported by Congress and “upheld by the Supreme Court” But so what? they are ALL wrong! Question: which of the 3 branches of government can put the breaks on this program the quickest?
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And what’s with “This executive order did not specify that those of Japanese descent were to be removed” So what??? Who cares if they were Japanese, Irish, or Black. 70,000 US Citizens were forced out of their homes, against their will. No Charges filed? No hearings? And this is the president who signed this order.
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And where did they get “evacuees” from? Here is the complete text of 9066
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http://www.pbs.org/c…
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and there is no mention of the word “evacuees” or “evacuation.” these guys are sugar coating. The first line of the 066 is pretty clear to me “Whereas, the successful prosecution of the war requires every possible protection against espionage and against sabotage to national-defense material, national-defense premises and national defense utilities as defined”
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110,000 people is a LOT of friggin people. Can you imagine at the neighborhood level what it’s like to go to school and see thoes empty seats? I understand FDR had some problems to deal with but the man took an oath to “preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States” and he blew it with 70,000 US Citizens.
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The man’s a snake.
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The FDR Museum is a treasure. I have visited the FDR Museum on a number of occassions, most recently on the eve of the Inaugural at Tim Murray’s pre-inaugural celebration at Union Station.
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It will be a shame if the city loses the Museum. It will be a shame if the second floor of Union Station becomes closed to the public.
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Here is a piece from Saturday’s T&G that relates Mayor Bissonette’s opening of a discussion on the Museum moving to Chicopee.
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Kate
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(Disclosure: Friend of Joe and Debbie Plaud)
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