ARROYO
SECO NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL
Letter about:
The Southwest Museum
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July 7, 2006 The Honorable Antonio Villaraigosa, Mayor Dear Mr. Mayor, On behalf of the Arroyo Seco Neighborhood Council and our Northeast Los Angeles stakeholders, I strongly urge you not to give in to the Autry Museum for additional City land on which to expand their current museum facilities until they have agreed in writing to maintain ample exhibition space for the world-renowned Lummis collection as the central feature of Southwest Museum in Mount Washington. Removing the exhibition of this historic collection from the location where it has been featured for almost a century would be a grievous injustice to the Arroyo Seco area of Northeast Los Angeles and an act of cultural piracy unparalleled in the history of Los Angeles. The ASNC has followed this issue intently over the last three years, ever since the Autry Museum of Western Heritage offered to “rescue” the Southwest Museum from its financial difficulties by merging its operations with the Autry. We have been strong supporters of the area coalition formed to open a dialogue with the Autry. We are not opposed to the Autry's merger with the Southwest Museum, but there must be a commitment—so far unrealized—to preserve the historic Southwest Museum and its collection as a single entity. We call on you, our Mayor, and the members of the City Council, to insist that the rights and historical tradition of the Arroyo Seco area of Northeast Los Angeles, long a leader in the City's cultural arena, be upheld in any negotiations with the Autry Museum. We ask that a full Environmental Impact Report be presented before permissions are granted to the Autry National Center for any expansion of the Autry's facilities at Griffith Park. Mr. Mayor, we need your help and your unequivocal commitment to preserving the Southwest Museum. The people of Northeast Los Angeles, indeed, the entire city, will not be content with a community room, or second-class showroom or other compromises that erases the Southwest Museum from its prominence. The City of Los Angles has a critical role to play in this issue, and we ask that you weigh your past statements and renew your commitment to preserving this cultural icon. Sincerely, Jim Thompson cc: City Council members |
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