David Library of the
American Revolution Announces Its Closure
Some of you received a letter from the David Library of the
American Revolution announcing that it will be closing its wonderful location
at Washington Crossing in rural Pennsylvania and transferring its valuable
research files to the American Philosophical Society in Philadelphia. It is sad that such a fine institution must
close its doors. I lectured there once
and did some research there a few times.
It is a terrific place for researchers and lecturers. My own view is that it is difficult for
history institutions with substantial holdings and operations to last unless
there is a wealthy benefactor behind the institution. The founder of the DLAR, Sol Feinstone, died
many years ago. At least the American
Philosophical Society in Philadelphia is a top notch research institution (and
worth visiting).
Here is a letter from the Lehigh Valley ARRT, which is
similar to another one that is circulating.
Please consider writing a letter as recommended below.
* * * *
June 5, 2019
Dear LVARRT Members, Colleagues, Friends & Fellow
Historians,
Last year, our group had the wonderful experience of
visiting and touring the David Library of the American Revolution (DLAR) in
Washington Crossing. It was an
experience we know everyone enjoyed.
On May 30th, the DLAR’s Board of Trustees suddenly announced
that this unique and special research facility on a subject we are all
dedicated to announced that it will permanently close its doors on December
31st. The reasons given were financial
and that negotiation to move the DLAR’s valuable and irreplaceable collection
to a location in Center City Philadelphia.
The new David Center for the American Revolution will be
created under a partnership with the American Philosophical Society. Although this sounds like a wonderful plan on
the surface, we lose the freedom of using the collection and the ease of
reaching Washington Crossing.
Historians, reenactors, genealogists, writers, and other American
Revolutionary War enthusiasts will soon have to travel to Philadelphia, pay for
parking and no longer have the liberty of perusing the collection and visiting
it without an appointment.
We can’t help but wonder why there was no public meeting
after the DLAR’s many stakeholders and other patrons held a dedicated
fundraising effort five years ago, nor were they allowed to develop a strategic
plan to save the DLAR.
And, why couldn’t this same partnership be concluded with
the new entity staying in Washington Crossing under the guiding auspices of the
APS?
Our Lehigh Valley American Revolution Round Table Board asks
that if you agree that this move is a tremendous mistake and loss to anyone
passionate about the American Revolution - especially at a time when the nation
is preparing the celebrate its 250th anniversary in 2026 - to write, email or
call the DLAR Board of Trustees as soon as possible.
Although the newspaper articles and the DLAR website imply
this is a done deal, perhaps our voices,
and those of many others may convince the trustees to take a breath and step
back from the brink to follow the vision of the vision of the founder, Sol
Feinstone, that this library, and all of its other good works, be available to
everyone and not the few who can afford to visit Center City Philadelphia.
So, again, we ask that if you do not agree with this
decision of the DLAR Board of Trustees you join other Round Tables, historians,
genealogists, descendants of RW veterans, patriots and other Americans by
communicating your opinions and perhaps ideas for saving the DLAR at its
current historic location.
Following this letter, we will give you the names of the
trustees and the various ways you may reach them. If you are writing letters, we suggest that
you at least write to the president and also the vice president who happens to
be the granddaughter of the founder.
Our deep appreciation to you and this requested effort is
one of the items it mean to belong to the LVARRT.
The David Library of the American Revolution
Board of Trustees
Dr, James J. Linkz, President
Dr. Francine L. Stone, Vice President
Mr. Norval D. Reese, Treasurer
Ms. Yvette E. Taylor-Hachosse, Secretary
Ms. Tina Packer, Trustee
Dr. Brendon McConville, Trustee
==========================
Send letters to (Please mark on the envelope PRIVATE &
PERSONAL):
The David Library of
the American Revolution
PO Box 748
1201 River Road
Washington Crossing, PA 18977-0748
Telephone:
215-493-6776
Email:
librarian@dlar.org
For more information, please go to the DLAR website at
www.dlar.org or google the various regional newspapers (under the David Library
Closure) or other media.
