The Texas Civil War Museum in Fort Worth, which has faced criticism for downplaying the role of slavery in the Civil War, has announced it will be closing its doors for good at the end of October. The decision was made by the family who opened the museum and its board of directors, and its building has already been sold. The museum features both Union and Confederate artifacts and was curated by husband and wife duo Ray and Judy Richey since 2006.
The museum had previously announced closure in 2023 due to the owner’s retirement, but later decided to stay open with changes to admission fees and selling more expensive items. Critics have pointed out that the museum overlooks Black history and the horror of slavery, with writer Christopher Blay noting the lack of references to enslaved individuals. Community members have expressed disappointment at the closure, with many feeling that the museum’s collection of artifacts should be preserved for educational purposes.
After the closure, all items on display will be sold through a Gettysburg-based antique company called the Horse Soldier. The museum has urged interested buyers to contact the Horse Soldier to purchase memorabilia such as flags, mugs, hats, and tote bags. The Horse Soldier clarified that they will not be selling the items at auction but will post them for sale on their website once they have obtained and inventoried the collection.
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