The word on DoG Street is that the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation receives state and federal taxpayer support and that an increase in that support could help solve the serious financial challenges facing the Foundation. If only that were true.
CWF receives $0 annual financial support from either the state or federal government. Zero.
We can’t count on government making things easier for us; we have to focus on making things easier for ourselves by making good decisions and showing the right leadership as we address our challenges and pursue our opportunities.
I’ve been visiting CW for 40 years and have been a donor for half that time. I don’t believe government funding is the answer. Efficiency and robust private and corporate fundraising are the way to go. I would only hope that CW, when contemplating cutting workforce/programs do it through attrition wherever possible. I’ve always enjoyed my visits and am looking forward to returning in 3 weeks.
I really think that you are trying to make CWF into another Disneyland, sad.. Disney tried to build a park in Northern Virginia about 10 years ago with a colonial theme and they were drummed out of town. You have succeeded where they have failed. There was a good reason for not making a Disney CWF and it is still a valid point.
I have just returned from a four day visit to CW. My sisters and I have been coming to CW for over thirty years. We noticed a definite difference this time (the last time we were there was Oct, 2015). The interpreters were not nearly so visible, nor were there as many scheduled programs involving them. We were disappointed, as we have always used those programs as a basis for planning our days there. They always make history come alive. I would also like to add, that young Mr. Jefferson was wonderful in his role.
Ms. Schon,
You are correct that there are fewer scheduled programs, but I’d like to assure you that this is because of a purposeful redeployment of resources, not the result of a reduction. We had probably become a little bit too dependent on scheduled programs, so this year we’ve tried to create more interaction in the historic sites by having our interpreters spend more time there. This way, we have the opportunity to tell more of the stories of places like the Raleigh Tavern, Wythe House, and Public Armoury. So the most lively activity is indeed less visible if you walk down DoG Street, but there is much more when you step across the threshold of one of these buildings. In addition to young Mr. Jefferson, we’ve added James Armistead Lafayette as a new Nation Builder, with more to come.
In rearranging our presentation we’ve brought a renewed focus to the core experience of Colonial Williamsburg, what you might call “Classic CW,” so we now have to communicate that to our guests, because it does represent a change from the expectations we’ve created over about the last decade. But we are trying to create more surprises and unscripted fun for everyone.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts-hope you still had a great time visiting,
Bill
I just received a copy of the. CWF annual report along with the Trends And Traditions magazine. According to that the CWF receives just under 6 percent of it’s money from government sources. It didn’t detail exactly what that means. It’s on the page with a pie chart illustrated as a coin.
interesting, isn’t it, that no one responded to your comment! Seems like we are being misled,!
Jeff (and Mick),
I don’t want you to think we’re ducking the question. I can’t say precisely what the government funding was for, but It is not annual funding of any kind. In other words, no money supports our operations budget. Funds from state and federal agencies are generally for specific grant-funded projects. I just don’t have a current list of what those are.
The interpreters are what makes CW a living museum which we want to return to again and again at least twice every year for 45 years. Cutting back on the interpreters will make CW just a series of beautiful buildings that one only has to see once in a lifetime.
As a suggestion, I would like to see a memorial garden in CW where a person’s ashes could be scattered for a fee.
Ms. Sullivan,
Please know that we are trying to increase the presence of our full-time interpreters. We’ve cut back on some seasonal staff but are working to expand our Nation Builder group, as one example. And we’re trying to use them more in the historic spaces you mention, because who better to tell these stories in the places where these event s really happened?
I will pass along your very interesting suggestion of a memorial garden. I wish I could give you a timetable for a response, but thank you for the suggestion.
And thank you for being such a loyal visitor-you’ve certainly seen some history here!
Bill
I just returned yesterday from a 5 day vacation there. Second one this year. We were there 3 vacations last year. We spend long days all over the historic area every day. We saw young Jefferson, Wythe, Lafayette, and Gowan Pamphlet between 2 programs at the Charlton stage. We went to many, many buildings. We have been vacationing an average of about 10 days a year for years there and know our way around quite well. We never saw a nation builder other than the two programs we saw. We also are saddened by a real drawing back on significant African American programs. A good book for those in charge is “The Internal Enemy” by Alan Taylor. Pulitzer Prize winner. It is a good one for bringing to vibrant life how African American’s existence, whether slave or free, permeated the moment to moment life of the entire society. Using them, controlling them, whites protecting themselves from them. African Americans struggling to maintain their families, and dignity in that world. The mere fact they made up more than 50 percent of the population demands more attention. But their impact dominated that society. It needs to come way more to the forefront.
Mr. Sullivan,
My wife and I celebrate our anniversary every year in CW and treasure our time there. It holds a special place in our hearts and we want to do all we can to help.
One suggestion we have is to add a donation option for pedestrian visitors who walk around D.O.G. Street and do not buy passes to tour buildings. This would apply to day visitors, local residents, or anyone else who wants a to enjoy the historic area without purchasing passes.
You could place boxes at strategic entry locations for cash donations and retailers could add a line on credit card receipts for donations. Also investigate cell phone payment methods such as Apple Pay. Inexpensive trinkets, especially for the kids could be added incentive to give.
Occasionally we have enjoyed walking around the historic area without purchasing passes and would have been glad to have given a small donation had there been an option. This could apply to local residents who mistakenly view CW as a tax payer funded town center.
Thanks you for your efforts to keep Colonial Williamsburg viable and we will continue to support you in the years ahead.
Brian Rae
Thank you for your ideas and support. We introduced a “round-up” option on retail purchases a year or so ago, and we’ve been very gratified by the generosity of our guests. And we are indeed looking for additional ways to make it easier for visitors who would like to make a donation to do so. Hope you might consider giving if you haven’t already! http://bit.ly/2tLZcoR
Mary P says
I’m coming late to this conversation, but I’d like to support the idea of a memorial garden. My mother would put it in her will in a second! She’d love to become part of CW history!
“We can’t count on government making things easier for us;…” No, government usually makes things worse with unending terms and conditions to all funding. CW is too tremendous a place to let the government start with its own demands.that change with the political breezes.
The CW administration should look at itself and see if there is deadwood and gravy there, rather than curtailing programs and visitor-centered events.
.
Protecting the Historic Area and creating a great guest experience continue to be what’s most important. The foundation’s leadership has been working very hard to find every place where unnecessary costs can be avoided. The process has been anything but painless. We really appreciate continued support from our friends as we try to forge a sustainable path.
Bill
Just want to point out that it is important to consider that by definition it would seem there MUST be some things a non-profit does that DOESN’T bring a profit.
I think the CWF gets that, but I am not sure to what degree.
This is fine as far as it goes, but you stopped too soon. If people do not understand that CW does not get or is not eligible for this funding, you need to say why. As this reads, it could be because we don’t try, don’t know how, tried before and screwed up so badly we can’t try again or - worse yet - fired whoever handled those attempts. CW is not eligible for those funds, but people need to understand why. Don’t assume it will be too boring or above our intelligence.
Arden,
You’re right-thank you for commenting.. We wanted to make a brief comment, but there’s much more to say on the topic. And I don’t know how enthralling it might be as a story, but I certainly wouldn’t think it would go over our readers’ heads-after all, they are the smartest, and best-looking, museum going audience in America!
Bill
I believe it best to not receive Federal money. That ALWAYS comes with the forfeiture of control to them and puts you at the whims of political parties.
I dissgrywith the reply that says CW presents an “Andy Griffith” version of colonial America. CW does not shy away from aspects that we reject today. Slavery, limited suffrage, unfair class distinctions, and other negatives are presented and discussed throughout CW.
I have a concern that when the need to address serious financial challenges is publicized more and more prominently then the general public will have the impression the can expect a stripped down “product” and a degrading collection of sites.
My wife and I have continued to enjoy CW’s offerings and been happy to see a lot of renovation and upkeep going on. An example is the porch of the Raleigh including the amount of research and digging to get it as right as possible.
The foundation could have left that building alone but are still committed instead to making the sites historically accurate.
I do hope any changes do no more harm. We do regret the cutback at Great Hopes. It’s just not adequate any more. That should be an important part of the presentation of daily life, especially for the African-Americans of colonial America.
I sincerely hope the foundation figures how to get on the soundest financial footing with the least compromise possible.
I agree wholeheartedly with your post Mr. Ellis. As you have pointed out, CW does not shy away from the “ugly” areas of American History. I suspect the “Andy Griffith” poster is displeased because CW emphasizes the positive as well as the negative aspects of U.S. History. Too many folks only want to hear the negative these days, communal self loathing in my humble opinion.
Smooth McGroove says
It’s interesting how you state “ugly” as written. I’m curious what you lump in that category. In my humble opinion, too many Americans shy away from inconvenient truths about the making of this nation that test their patriotic notions of what it means to be a citizen.
I will readily admit that the positive aspects of early American history are well done, especially regarding the wealthy and powerful. What is sorely lacking are meaningful reflections on the history of enslaved Africans daily lives, their extraction from Africa, and the struggles of the poor. Places like the Jamestown Settlement and new Yorktown museum far outclass CW in these regards. CW excels at feel-good experiences with a historical twist.
For instance the “”What holds the Future” program that demonstrates the agony of slavery, including a man very vividly describing his whipping, and uncertainty of families staying together when they are put on the auction block. That is one example. There are many.
How do you feel about the exhibit at the publick hospital that shows a lot of the inadequate and often cruel treatment of those with mental health issues? They should be on our list of wronged people.
I am a proponent of a big increase of programs relatothe experiences of African-Americans and Native Americans and have contacted CW about that many times. But I can’t close my eyes to the many fine programs that are there. I really do not think they sugar coat history there. Have you bought passes and spent a lot of time there?
If you can, visit the National Civil War Museum in Harrisburg PA. Very significant exhibits on slavery.
I just received an educational DVD on the Freedom Quest of Oney Judge. She was Martha Washington’s slave that attended her. Oney ran away during Washington’s second term when they lived in Philadelphia. The Washington’s went to great lengths to get her back. The story doesn’t paint them to look wonderful. CW won an Emmy for it. Just pointing out they are not hiding from the uglier side of the times.
Its good for CW not to receive federal funds.As a museum professional in the Hampton Roads region, I take the stance that CW is an important part of the local business infrastructure but that they are victims of their own poor management and financial planning.
Smooth McGroove says
CW, while a nice place, is marred by their own “slash-and-burn” leadership who spend uddles on programs, personnel, and overall polish while not creating meaningful, historical substance for their guests. Instead, visitors are treated to a watered-down Andy Griffith version of America told by disposable staff. Institutions that spend themselves into oblivion have only themselves to blame. As a museum professional in the Hampton Roads region, I take the stance that CW is an important part of the local business infrastructure but that they are victims of their own poor management and financial planning.
If the federal government had a say in running CW, they would be out of business in two years! We have been supporting CW since 1985 and proud of it! Keep up the good work! Please continue in the spirit the founding fathers lived by!
K.G says
I am a loyal fan, supporter and visitor of CW and have always known that the foundation does not receive funds from state or federal government . I have not however known why that is? Are there regulations that would be put on CWF if it were to receive state or fed funds?
Better for CW not to receive state or federal funds. With funds come conditions and additional restrictions on the foundation’s liberty. CW shows a private entity can do right by a historic site while avoiding political partisanship.
CW is a 501c3 non-profit organization and is eligible for any grant or donor funding that every other cultural arts non-profit is. Let’s be honest and call it like it is - the president of CW is a conservative (former adviser to Romney) and relying on funding through government programs like the NEA is so against the grain of Republican ideals that they would rather treat the place like a conservative Disneyland resort than a cultural arts institution. They’re currently in the process of laying off one department after another and outsourcing the work to the private sector - which they would rather do than rely on government funding to help pay their dedicated, long time employees (CW has an incredible benefits package - including pension - and I assume they would rather do away with that to save them money than rely on the government to help them keep those employees on board).