Re:

[farna@xxxxxxx]

No name the first time because I posted from work on-line, not at home, and didn't think to sign a name. My apologies to the list, though I'm sure I'll forget again!! 

I understand what you're saying about the Civil War and memory Jock, but it's still of national historic interest. There are lots of Civil War reenactors in areas that were directly touched -- north and south! I don't know, maybe someone in the Kenosha gov't is a Civil War hobbyist? Obviously someon thinks it would be more of a tourist draw. Like you I don't see how! If it was connected with a battlefield or some other area/situation maybe.

An old building remodeled can be made to look new with no problem. If it were a smaller or more intricate building it would be just about as much $$$ to build new, but a large open floor space is different. 

To hell with the local government! The AMC community could raise money and build somewhere else. A more central location (like St. Louis) might be better, especially if it's made into an orphans or independents museum (something I still think is more fianacially viable than only AMC, even when centered around AMC as the main disply). I know why Kenosha if it's only AMC, but with no more prescence there than other locations now I don't think it's a "must" location any more. The Studebaker crowd did this, but we can't seem to get together in a concerted effort on much of anything! Everyone clamored for something like the AMCyclopedia site, but no one is willing to put any time into it. I realize it takes a bit of work, I've been doing some! But PARTICIPATION is the key!! 

--
Frank Swygert
Publisher, "American Independent 
Magazine" (AIM)
For all AMC enthusiasts
http://farna.home.att.net/AIM.html
(free download available!)
			

 -------------- Original message ----------------------

> On February 3, 2005 Jock J Jocewicz wrote:
> 
> > Farna (hey, why not a name?)
> >   The federal money was $500,000 (back when the Transportation Museum was
> > proposed the state had already committed $1-million!) but according to
> > the paper the city has committed $14.8 million, which is a heck of a lot
> > more than the $500,000 federal grant! So I don't think it is the federal
> > money. You say the Civil War is of national historic interest. I would
> > like to see a national poll on this. Heck, a lot of the present
> > generation knows little about  WW11, much less the Civil War or cares
> > about them, but transportation is still a big part of present day life,
> > not the Civil War, WW1, WW11, etc.
> > 
> > I do agree with you about the possibility of an old K-Mart store or any
> > other old, large store now closed and just sitting would be great
> > possibilities for a AMC/Rambler/Nash museum start, but it seems like our
> > local government wants new, Like the present Kenosha Museum on the
> > waterfront.
> > 
> > On Thu, 03 Feb 2005 20:43:40 -0500 farna@xxxxxxx writes:
> > > I'm prety sure it has everything to do with the fact that they can
> > > get federal money because the Civil War is of national historic
> > > interest, Ramblers in general aren't (though TRANSPORTAION should
> > > be!). No battles in/near Kenosha, or even Wisconsin, but quite a few
> > > regiments were from there, with many lost. Go to some of the bigger
> > > battle sites in the south and you'll find memorials put up by many
> > > states. Can't recall the exact names of some of the places now, but
> > > the POW camp in Georgia and a battle site in central Mississippi
> > > along the river come to mind.
> > >
> > > I still say an old K-mart or grocery store building would be the
> > > perfect place! A large indoor parking lot. Have a snack bar, some
> > > meeting rooms, and even some workshops in the rear storage area. An
> > > "independent" or "orphan" makes museum with AMC as the central core
> > > (being the last of both) would make the most financial sense rather
> > > than just AMC, but a Nash/Hudson/Rambler/AMC/Willys/Jeep museum
> > > should be able to hold it's own. Could even toss all of Kaiser in
> > > there (the Jeep link again) to top it off.
> > >
> > > One way to build content fast would be to provide free (or at least
> > > cheap) insured storage for car owners. "Store" your car at the
> > > museum for exhibit, with the only stipulation that you leave it for
> > > peak tourist times and give ample notice of when you're going to
> > > take it out/put it back. I'm sure some owners would take advantage
> > > of such a deal. Just note on the placard what changes were made (if
> > > any) from stock and even modified cars could be displayed, not just

> > > 100% restorations.