John:

That is what they may be telling you now. If that was the proceedure before, Penfield would have never got Hart-Parr #3. The Floyd County Museum ( a real museum) had a request in before Penfield but was passed over because one of the head honchos at Penfield is best friends with the recently retired person from the Smithsonian who had charge of #3. This was an inside deal and something should be done about it. From what I understand the Heritage Museum in Greenville is nothing more than a glorified machine shed also not a real museum that really meets the Smithsonian's requirements.

Historically, these 2 places have no claim on #3 but Charles City does since it was built there. To many people #3 being at Charles City on display year round is a no-brainer. Hopefully my US Senator who is the  chairman of the committee that handles the budget for the Smithsonian sees it that way also.

Maybe a little budget cut here or there might snap the Smithsonian back to reality and start following their own rules not the buddy system.


Marc Sletten


The statement above is my personal opinion and should not considered the opinion of the HPOCA even though I serve on their board.