by robfisher » Mon Feb 21, 2011 9:10 am
While I understand your first reactionary call of mismanagement did you read the story. I'm not one to play the victim card often but if ever there was a case to throw it, this is classic.
The Hall has practiced sound principles in growth and money management during their history. Here, they were given a gift that they could not turn down and yet could not manage the cost of acceptance. It's like grandma giving her grandson a house he cannot pay the taxes on, let alone keep up with the maintenance. The kid is sure to lose the house in a matter of a few years.
The Hall was given a collection of trailers with no space to put them. Who would want to turn down the gift? These trailers needed protected and placed for viewing. So they went out on a limb believing in their mission so much they were blinded to the truth of the ability to fund it.
One other way to describe the situation is a company outgrowing themselves to failure. We've all seen it. Google "company growth challenges." You'll get 11 million hits on that one search.
The Hall is managed by dedicated people who have done a fabulous job of preservation and have provided a great experience to those of us who have been able to visit. I, for one, am sending a donation and I challenge you to the same.
Rob