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Blog: Autry National Center drops expansion
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Filed Under: Arts & Entertainment


"In a move that concedes a measure of victory to long-term opponents, the Autry National Center has bowed out of a protracted battle for a $175-million expansion of its facility in Griffith Park.

City approval of the plan hinged on a recent demand for the Autry to make a legally binding commitment to support the Southwest Museum located in Mt. Washington, as a fully functioning art institution in perpetuity. In a letter delivered to members of the Los Angeles City Council Tuesday, the Autry stated that such a commitment would be irresponsible and that it is withdrawing its proposal.

Speaking as an Autry trustee and chairman of the Rumsey Band of Wintun Indians, Marshall McKay said he is deeply disappointed with what he views as a necessary decision.

“The Southwest Museum has one of the most paramount Native America collections west of the Mississippi. To have it in a new building in Griffith Park, as envisioned by the board at the Autry, would have been spectacular. I think some of the people in the Southwest’s neighborhood are missing the point that the Autry has put in a great deal of money and effort into conserving the collection and preserving the building. We are going to continue to do so because it’s a historic place. It’s not something we want to turn away from.”"

Get the Story:
Culture Monster: Autry National Center withdraws expansion plan (The Los Angeles Times 8/11)

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