Please excuse if this was discussed before, was just forwarded this website-

http://www.nationaltrust.org/magazine/a ... 022805.htm

Joshua

This is an unfortunate happening. I am not sure,however, that the article is correct in stating that this was one of only 3 pre-Civil War railroad structures remaining in the South. Not a whole lot of people know that here in Albany is the original (c. 1857) South Western Railroad freight depot, owned by Thronateeska Heritage Center. The building is deteriorating, but Thronateeska lacks funds for its restoration. We have been able to get funds to build a new planetarium facility, but nothing for preservation of one of only 2 pre-Civil War commercial structures in Albany. Go figure. The planetarium brings in the school groups (translation: $$)...but a restored old railroad building...what will that be any good for? Besides, we've already restored the c. 1913 Union Passenger Terminal, so why do we need to expend funds on another railroad structure? (Please note sarcasm, but let me be clear: it is not the Thronateeska BOD that doesn't want to restore the structure. It is the local municipal government, which provides no regular or budgetable assistance to the museum. We are, like most museums, cash-poor, and can only do most of what we do through grants and donations.)

Sarcasm aside, this seems to be a general (economic) trend...put money where it will hopefully generate some more income while forgoing spending money on an old building that will probably not be used enough to warrent the cost of restoration. I don't agree with this mentality, and I doubt many here do, but it seems an unfortunate reality. Money talks. Same goes for equipment restoration.

We were fortunate enough to get a sizable sum of money to turn our collection of worn out, ugly railroad equipment into the beginnings of a decent transportation exhibit. While the money received was not as much as we asked for, nor really enough to do all that we needed to do, we have been able to add significant projects to the original list and get almost all of the work originally planned completed. Obviously, with the addition of some important projects, like the former C&WC/Ga. Northern/Alton & Southern wood-bodied combine from MOT, some priorities had to change, but I am proud to say that I am pleased with what is being accomplished here in Southwest Georgia at Thronateeska. I just wish we could create a different reality, sometimes.