IN FACT, STATE MUSEUM FUNDING SHOULD BE SCRAPPED ALTOGETHER …
Long before the Confederate flag became a thing (again), this website was railing against the expenditure of tax dollars on behalf of Confederate-related expenses.
“That one red cent of taxpayer money has gone toward funding any of this nonsense should make taxpayers’ blood boil,” we wrote back in the spring of 2013, arguing against state funding for a museum to house the H.L. Hunley Confederate submarine.
It’s not just Confederate-themed museum spending we oppose, though: It’s all museum funding. Museums are not core functions of government, and as such they should not receive tax dollars.
Accordingly, we support efforts by S.C. Rep. Mary Tinkler of Charleston to shut down a proposed $5.3 million expansion of the Confederate Relic Room at the State Museum in Columbia, S.C.
This money has been earmarked for a new display of the battle flag of the Army of Northern Virginia – which was removed from the grounds of the S.C. State House back in July.
“When the flag was removed from the State House grounds, we overwhelmingly agreed that it should be displayed in an appropriate manner,” Tinkler said. “But this proposal is irresponsible and not in the best interest of South Carolina’s taxpayers.”
We agree …
Rather than appropriating money for this display, Tinkler wants to pursue “a free-market compromise that allows for an appropriate display, funded by private donations.” Specifically, she is filing legislation which would assemble a new commission “made up of lay people, to create and direct a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization to raise the necessary funds for an appropriate confederate flag display.”
House and Senate leaders would appoint four members to the commission, while governor Nikki Haley would appoint one.
Hmmmm …
While we support Tinkler’s position that no tax money should be spent on this project, the creation of a government committee to oversee its “free market” implementation strikes us as overkill.
The S.C. State Museum is already home to several Confederate flags which flew at the S.C. State House (in fact we took pictures of these flags for a recent post delving into efforts to bribe Confederate supporters prior to the flag’s removal). How hard is it to add one more banner to the mix?
Seriously: It shouldn’t cost $5.3 million to display one flag …
More to the point: None of these museum displays (Confederate or otherwise) should cost taxpayers a cent.
34 comments
One would think that reasonable people could agree that private funding for this endeavor makes sense. But wait for the backlash. You see, it’s not the display of the (northern Virginia) flag that is important to the many supporters. It’s the government funding, and by extension, imprimatur that’s important.
By the way, I disagree with you wholeheartedly on the Hunley. That recovered vessel is an important piece of history, particularly to our state, and should be promoted as a tourist attraction. After all, tourism is our number one business.
Although one can make a strong case that the Hunley was brought up to satisfy a certain individual’s Confederate fantasies, robbing the graves of the dead in the process.
I love history but I agree, it should of been left alone.
Its a Great Day in South Carolina!!!
Agreed, on all points.
I’m with Will here, $5 million to just hang something on a wall? Give me that flag and $5 million and I’ll make specialized door mats with it and sell them at a profit.
This is another case of “fiscally-conservative” Republicans who don’t mind spending public money to pander to their constituents.
You really don’t want to open that door.
Careful what you ask for.
Not at all. Fiscal conservatives who aren’t fiscal conservatives are simply hypocrites. To many in South Carolina’s GOP “fiscal conservatism” is just a cudgel to attack their opponents. They neither believe in it nor practice it.
It’s ok to spend money we don’t have on war, though.
…and everything else the government spends money on.
I would be on board for some funds to be spent on some “kick ass” against the the radical Muslims in this country and a few selected international locations.
I tend to agree but the National Debt will kill the country long before terrorist or global warming.
I can live through the Global Warming “hoax,” but I don’t know if everyone will survive the threat from domestic Muslim terrorism. We have already taken to many domestic causalities.
Good point, three different issues there, two of them are immediate threats.
We spent 2 trillion on payback for 9/11, which made shit worse, and Republicans want to rinse and repeat.
“we”
Once the government takes it from us, it’s not “ours” anymore. (and I’m not justifying the war spending, but just sayin’)
The only reason we don’t have it is because it hasn’t been printed yet.
I don’t quite understand that the flag that was removed was just a flag purchased recently. It was not a flag that had been flown in combat or some ceremony. What makes it worth spending five million on?
All this nonsense is not going to stop with the Confederate flag, because it’s not about the Confederate flag. It is about destroying the South as a political force. It’s about isolating, targeting, and identifying the South as Dylan Roof.
If you don’t think the American flag is in their cross hairs down the road, you had better stop and reconsider. The American flag is what? It’s the symbol of America. The left doesn’t like this country very much and never has.
Yawn. The American Flag is just fine. We love the flag, we die for it. Fight for it. Identifying with the South? With a failed rebellion? Wow!!!! Great plan Stan. Most people who swing through Charleston don’t identify Dylan as the south. I’ve adjusted the southern identity song for you:
Just a little bit of chicken fry, cold beer on a Friday night, pair of kakis pressed just right, blue oxford shirt, and a tie,
You’re in Charleston, better dress up a little son, we ain’t in the sticks you see, don’t live in San—tee!!!
“…IN FACT, STATE MUSEUM FUNDING SHOULD BE SCRAPPED ALTOGETHER …”
Oh Will, in this season of warmth, joy, happiness and giving would you just STFU already?
We have museums so we can’t forget the stupid stuff we did in the past. I will admit that here in South Carolina we don’t always pay attention to those lessons but that is a reason for MORE support of museums, not less.
” I will admit that here in South Carolina we don’t always pay attention to those lessons but that is a reason for MORE support of museums”
lol-But it’s clearly not effective! Museum’s can effectively run on private money. No sense in giving taxpayer money to a wasteful entity that has little interest in the truth for people that won’t absorb it anyway.
There are very few museums worth visiting that are run solely on “private funding”. I teach history and am one of those nerds who visits museums with regularity. If you want to see a good one that is run on absolutely minimal public support, unicorn farts and pixie dust, go visit the SC Military Museum down on Bluff Road.
“There are very few museums worth visiting that are run solely on “private funding”.”
Have you ever stopped to think about why that is?
Do you think this is the first time that gov’t has crowded out private sector opportunities?
Ripley’s actually used to be more than a tourist attraction. The La Brea tar pit museum is wonderful. There’s lots of other examples- I’m just kinda busy right now.
I know why it is – most of our society are to stupid to have an interest in history.
Here’s the list of all of SC’s museums:
Agricultural Heritage Center
Blackville
Aiken Center for the Arts
Aiken
Aiken County Historical Museum
Aiken
Aiken-Rhett
House
Charleston
Aiken Thoroughbred Racing Hall of Fame and Museum
Aiken
American Legion Post 3
Cecil B. Buchanan War Museum
Greenville
American Military Museum
Charleston
Anderson City Fire
Department Museum
Anderson
Anderson County Museum
Anderson
Andrew
Jackson State Park
Lancaster
Antiquers Haven Museum and
Shop
Liberty
Arts and Heritage Center of North Augusta
North
Augusta
Ashtabula
Historic House
Pendleton
Avery Research Center
Charleston
Barnwell County Museum
Barnwell
Bart Garrison Agricultural Museum of South
Carolina
Pendleton
Beaufort
Arsenal
Beaufort
Beaufort History Museum
Beaufort
Bedon-Lucas
House
Walterboro
Beech
Island Historical Society Visitors Center & Barn
Beech
Island
Berkeley County Museum and Heritage Center
Moncks
Corner
Best Friend
of Charleston Museum
Charleston
Black Creek
Arts Council Gallery
Hartsville
BMW
Zentrum
Spartanburg
Bob Campbell Geology Museum
Clemson
Bob Jones
University Museum and Gallery
Greenville
Bonham House
Saluda
Boone Hall Plantation and Gardens
Mount
Pleasant
Brookgreen Gardens
Murrells
Inlet
Browntown
Museum
Hemingway
Burt-Stark Mansion
Abbeville
Button
Museum
Bishopville
Calhoun Mansion
Charleston
Camden Archives & Museum
Camden
Catawba Cultural Center
Rock Hill
Cayce Historical Museum
Cayce
Central
History Museum
Central
Charles
Pinckney National Historic Site
Mount Pleasant
Charles Towne
Landing State Historic Site
Charleston
Charleston Museum
Charleston
Cheraw Lyceum
Cheraw
Cherokee County History and Arts Museum
Gaffney
Cherokee County Veterans
Museum
Gaffney
Chester County Historical Society Museum
Chester
Chester County Transportation Museum
Chester
Children’s Museum of South Carolina
Myrtle
Beach
Children’s Museum of the Lowcountry
Charleston
Children’s Museum of the Upstate
Greenville
The Citadel Archives & Museum
Charleston
Clemson
Area African American Museum
Clemson
Clemson
UniversityGalleries
Clemson
Clinton Museum
Clinton
Coastal Discovery Museum
Hilton
Head Island
Coker Farms
National Historic Landmark
Hartsville
Colleton
Museum
Walterboro
Collins
Ole Towne
Central
Columbia Fire Department Museum
Columbia
Columbia Museum
of Art
Columbia
Communication Museum
Charleston
Comporium Telephone Museum
Rock Hill
Confederate Museum
Charleston
Congaree
National Park
Hopkins
Cowpens Depot
Cowpens
Cowpens
National Battlefield
Chesnee
Darlington
Raceway Stock Car Museum
Darlington
Dillon County Museum
Latta
Drayton Hall
Charleston
Edisto Island Museum
Edisto
Island
Edmondston-Alston
House
Charleston
EdVenture
Columbia
Fairfield County Museum
Winnsboro
Florence County Museum
Florence
Florence Railroad Museum
Florence
Fort
Hill
Clemson
Fort
Moultrie National Monument
Sullivan’s
Island
Fort
Sumter National Monument
Charleston
Francis
Marion UniversityGalleries
Florence
Franklin G. Burroughs-Simeon B. Chapin Art
Museum
Myrtle Beach
Georgetown County Museum
Georgetown
Gibbes Museum of
Art
Charleston
Greenville
County Museum of Art
Greenville
Greenville Cultural Exchange Center
Greenville
Greenwood Railroad Historical Center
Greenwood
Greer Heritage Museum
Greer
Hagood-Mauldin
House/Irma Morris Museum of Fine Arts
Pickens
Hagood Mill Historic Site and Folklife Center
Pickens
Halsey
Institute of Contemporary Art
Charleston
Hampton Colored
School
Hampton
Hampton County
Museum
Hampton
Hampton Museum and Visitors’ Center
Hampton
Hampton Plantation
McClellanville
Hampton-Preston
House
Columbia
Hanover House
Clemson
Hartsville
Museum
Hartsville
Heyward
House
Bluffton
Heyward-Washington
House
Charleston
Historic
Brattonsville
McConnells
Historic
Camden Revolutionary War Site
Camden
Hobcaw Barony
Georgetown
Hollywood Wax
Museum
Myrtle Beach
Hopsewee Plantation
Georgetown
Horry County Museum
Conway
The Hunley
Charleston
Hunting Island
Light
Hunting Island
Huntington
Beach State Park
Murrells Inlet
Jacob Kelley House
Hartsville
John Mark
Verdier House
Beaufort
Joseph Manigault
House
Charleston
James W. Dillon
House
Dillon
Kaminski House Museum
Georgetown
Karpeles
Manuscript Library Museum
Charleston
Kazoo Museum
Beaufort
Keowee-Toxaway
Museum
Six Mile
Kilgore-Lewis
House
Greenville
Kings
Mountain National Military Park
Blacksburg
Kings
Mountain State Park
Blacksburg
L.W. Paul Living History Farm
Conway
Lake
Greenwood State Recreation Area
Ninety Six
Lando Manetta Mills History Center
Lando
Landsford
Canal State Park
Catawba
Lexington
County Museum
Lexington
Louis G. Gregory Bahá’í Museum
Charleston
Lowcountry Visitor’s Center
and Museum
Yemassee
Lunney
House Museum
Seneca
Mac’s Pride Museum
McBee
Macaulay Museum of
Dental History
Charleston
Mace Brown Museum of Natural History
Charleston
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens
Charleston
Main Street Children’s Museum
Rock Hill
Mann-Simons Site
Columbia
Marion County Museum
Marion
Marlboro County Historical Museum
Bennettsville
McBee Depot Library and Railroad Museum
McBee
McLeod Plantation
Historic Site
Charleston
McKissick
Museum
Columbia
Middleton Place
Summerville
Millford Plantation
Pinewood
Miniature World of Trains
Greenville
Monsanto Gallery
Greenwood
Mt. Croghan Museum
Mount
Croghan
Museum &
Gallery at Heritage Green
Greenville
Museum and Library of Confederate History
Greenville
The Museum in
Greenwood
Greenwood
Museum of Education
Columbia
Museum of the Cherokee in South Carolina
Walhalla
Museum of York County
Rock Hill
Musgrove
Mill State Historic Site
Cross
Anchor
Nathaniel
Russell House
Charleston
National Steeplechase Museum
Camden
Ninety
Six National Historic Site
Ninety Six
North Charleston and American LaFrance Fire
Museum and Educational Center
North
Charleston
North Myrtle Beach Historical Museum
North
Myrtle Beach
Nostalgia City and Museum
Myrtle Beach
Oconee Heritage Center
Walhalla
Oconee
Station State Historic Site
Walhalla
Oconee Veterans Museum
Walhalla
Old Exchange
Building
Charleston
Old Santee Canal Park
Moncks
Corner
Old Slave Mart
Charleston
Parris Island
Museum
Parris
Island
Patriot’s Point Naval & Maritime Museum
Mount Pleasant
Pauline Pratt Webel Museum
Ridgeland
Pickens County Museum of Art & History
Pickens
Postal History Museum
Charleston
Powder Magazine
Charleston
Price House
Spartanburg
Ravenel Caw Caw Interpretive Center
Ravenel
Rebecca Randall Bryan
Gallery
Conway
Redcliffe Plantation State Historic Site
Beech
Island
REVIVA Museum
Iva
Rice
Museum
Georgetown
Ripley’s
Believe It or Not!
Myrtle Beach
Robert Mills House
Columbia
Ronald McNair Life History Center
Lake City
Roper
Mountain Science Center
Greenville
Rose Hill Plantation State Historic Site
Union
Ruth Drake Museum
Belton
Saluda County Museum
Saluda
The Sandbox
Hilton Head Island
Seay House
Spartanburg
Seibels House
and Garden
Columbia
Shoeless Joe Jackson Museum and Baseball
Library
Greenville
Slave Relic Historical Museum
Walterboro
Southern African American Heritage Center
Cheraw
South
Carolina Botanical Garden
Clemson
South Carolina Civil War Museum
Myrtle Beach
South Carolina Confederate Relic Room and
Military Museum
Columbia
South Carolina Cotton Museum
Bishopville
South
Carolina Governor’s Mansion
Columbia
South Carolina Law Enforcement Officers Hall of
Fame
Columbia
South Carolina Maritime Museum
Georgetown
South Carolina Military Museum
Columbia
South Carolina Railroad Museum
Winnsboro
South
Carolina State Museum
Columbia
South Carolina Tennis Hall of Fame
Belton
South Carolina Tobacco Museum
Mullins
Spartanburg Art Museum
Spartanburg
Spartanburg Regional History Museum
Spartanburg
Spartanburg Science Center
Spartanburg
Summerville-Dorchester Museum
Summerville
Sumter County Gallery of Art
Sumter
Sumter County Museum
Sumter
Union County Museum
Union
Upcountry
History Museum
Greenville
U.S. Army Adjutant General’s Corps Museum
Columbia
U.S. Army Basic Combat Training Museum
Columbia
U.S.
Army Chaplain Museum
Columbia
U.S. Army Finance Corps Museum
Columbia
Village Museum
McClellanville
Wagener Museum
Wagener
Walnut Grove
Plantation
Spartanburg
War
Between the States Museum
Florence
Warren
Lasch Conservation Center
North Charleston
White
Home
Rock Hill
Williamsburgh Historical
Museum
Kingstree
Williston Museum
Williston
Winchester
Museum
Edgefield
Winthrop
UniversityGalleries
Rock Hill
Woodburn
Historic House
Pendleton
Woodrow
Wilson Family Home
Columbia
World
of Energy
Seneca
York W.
Bailey Museum
St.
Helena Island
Damn!
Where’d you get that list anyway? Do you know how many of them are taxpayer supported?
Almost all – I got he list off Wiki I think. I have it in a spread sheet with a list of points of contacts for the ones that I use as a part of my course.
The 4 Army Museums on Fort Jackson are all free and get their funding from the Army Center for Military History.
The SC Military Museum gets its funding from the SC National Guard.
Most of the “County” museums get their funding in part from the county and all are free/very minimal charge
For Paid museums, these two are kind of the norm – The Winchester Museum is sponsored by the National Wild
Turkey Federation and cost $5. The museum focuses on wild turkies and their conservation – they get all of about 5,000 visitors every year.
By comparison, the SC State Museum on Gervais costs between $14 and $20 and isn’t really worth the visit more than once unless there is a special showing which generally adds an extra charge. We spend $11,000,000 on the State Museum each year. The museum gets about 140,000 visitors each year of whom 67,000 were students who got in free.
I love it!
You really need to investigate thia a little further since it is not Just for the Confederate Flag. This museum has more exhibits than Civil War. All wars what has affected South Carolians is included into that museum. You need to actually visit it. May open a few eyes!
You mean he actually needs to get out from behind the keyboard and investigate?
No, he had rather print lies.
In that small menagerie where Will Folks thinks he slept with Haley the boy STILL keeps missing things
He’s STILL focusing on a “relic room” and hasn’t a clue how in 2016 Tea will make flag-rippers heads ring
It’s OUR State House and OUR flag and OUR patriots’ heritage on which voters were given NO vote
So Will—focus on leaves while the forest passes you by and at our barbeque you TOO can be the goat !!!
So you’re going to stick with this one huh?