November 5, 2007
the latest on South Side Station
Today’s P-I notes that the City of Petersburg acquired South Side Station in October, and that Petersburg National Battlefield is considering whether to buy the Station from the city to serve as a visitor-contact center — toward that end, look for a public meeting early next year that will help the park staff determine if there is interest in this use of the Station.
I think it is a great idea!
I talked to one of the Rangers during nostalgiafest and he indicated that the most likely scenario is a partnership with the city.
I’m not sure how that would work but even though I’m down on how the federal government takes care of a lot of things, the Park Service is not one of them. They do a tough job well.
South Side Station is the oldest such building in the state, built around 1854.Six years prior to the opening of the Civil War and represents a key element representing as a Petersburg as a commerical hub which it once was. Care should be taken to ensure that its orginial purpose won’t be lost and how it wailed in the mist of the War Between the States to help to provied goods and services to the people of Petersburg. I think the Devil would be in the details as to how the NPS would use it as visitor-contact center, which would of cause depend upon on weather they would own it or lease it. Petersburg should consider placing a needed historical society there as a possible option.
From the “politically correct” playbook of the National Park Service, the National Park Service recently had “God” taken out of their interpretation at our Washington Monument. After numerous complaints, the reference to “God” in the monument’s historic inscription was again quickly re-reflected. Probably a big lose for the one atheist who complained about “God.”
So, be concerned in our “politically correct” and sometimes devious society. Mr. Seagrave has made a legitimate point.
Honest History and the truth are too often secondary or are less important to some historians these days. “Money Talks!” This is also reflected in what our children are taught by many of the radical left or radical right in our so-called public schools, and universities. The South knows well the term “History is written by the winners!” Fortunately, even with that “you can’t change history!”
It is my understanding that the city has owned this building 3 times. Something will be done this time or many of the local yokels and city Bureaucrats will have even more “egg on their face” than they already do.
How they and the National Park Service present our local history and represent this valuable historical asset honestly, considering “presentism”, or deceit should prove interesting! We’ll see…
Whatever the tale, that too will become part of our local history to be viewed. Let the “sun shine” on showtime!
“During times of universal deceit, telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act.” –George Orwell
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Let us all hope (and pray) the PNB-NPS and the City will do the right thing and use public input and common sense in their decisions regarding the Southside Station. Fortunately if they don’t, the world will not come to an end.
There is no need to make mountains out of mole hills. The constant complaining and railing against the Park Service and the City of Petersburg is quite tiresome. Certainly at some point, they are bound to do something right.
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Hey folks - someone suggested I note whyfor the deletions.
In a nutshell, messy and passionate discourse is totally cool. Calling people names is not. If you want to call someone out to challenge them or to defend your position or whatever, please do so by stating your arguments (as opposed to merely sticking your tongue out).
That’s the story, plain and simple.