Fire Museum Director Jeff Hunt

The Arizona Republic reported today that the director of a Texas museum destroyed a diorama that was donated by high school students because it was "historically inaccurate." Jeff Hunt, executive director of the Texas Military Forces Museum, demolished the ten by five foot diorama of the Battle of Palmetto Ranch. Gilbert Highland students invested about $23,000 and hundreds of hours of effort to create the representation of the last land battle of the Civil War.

http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/0214gr-diorama0214-ON.html#comments

Here is a picture of the Stalinoid Mr. Hunt.

http://www.texasmilitaryforcesmuseum.org/musnews.htm

And here is what he did:







I cannot imagine that any school would ever want to have their student's contribute to this museum. And nor can I imagine anyone wanting to donate a penny or even visit this museum under these circumstances.

If I was a volunteer to this museum, I would quit. If I was a paid employee, I would resign. If I lived in Texas, I would shun this outpost of ignorance. If I was a legislator, I would cut all funding to this institution. And if I was on the board of directors of this museum, I would immediately fire Jeff Hunt and compensate Gilbert High.

So many students look at history as something that is irrelevant, detached from their lives, and boring. Nothing can be further from the truth. History is as relevant as the shows we watch and inseparable from our lives and our future. I am reminded of the words of philosopher George Santayana: "Thosewho cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it." Hunt's impetuous, vainglorious actions, so remininscent of another alumni of the Texas military, can only deter students from showing any interest in remembering the past to avoid future mistakes.

Here is how to make your voice heard if you are disturbed by Hunt's actions:

Office: (512) 782-5659
Museum: (512) 782-6967
Email: museum@tx.ngb.army.mil
Executive Director: Jeff Hunt
Texas Military Forces Museum
P.O. Box 5218
Austin, Texas
78763-5218

Texas Military Forces. http://www.agd.state.tx.us/

Governor Rick Perry Information and Referral: 1-800-843-5789
Citizen's Opinion Hotline: 1-800-252-9600
Office of the Governor, P.O. Box 12428, Austin, Texas 78711
Phone: (512) 463-2000
Information and Referral: 1-800-843-5789