The Barnes Belongs in Merion. We do believe the art belongs in Merion, not Philadelphia, and we believe Ed Rendell, Vince Fumo, Lenfest Foundation, Pew Charitable Trusts, The Anneberg Foundation, etc. are wrong to move our art collection.

Yes, some are going to say the residents didn't want the Barnes in Merion way back when, but actually, they wanted Glanton gone. The Barnes art collection is part of who we are out here, part of our history. How would Philly feel if we say, wanted to move the Liberty Bell to the center of Bryn Mawr? Or wanted to move the art out of The Philadelphia Museum of Art and Rodin Museum to Merion Station?

We believe moving the Barnes Collection is stealing. Philly can't manage the art it's got right now.

Anyway, here is the latest update from the Barnes Friends:

Dear Friends,

Following a brief vacation, we are back at our Friends of the Barnes posts, ready to go full tilt on our mission. The response to our fund raising appeal has been amazingly strong considering the fact that we are in the midst of summer vacation. As wonderful as this help is, we have big challenges ahead and will need every member's help. I urge you again to do what you can. Here is the link to the Donation Page of the Friends of the Barnes website, where you can get the details and form.

http://www.barnesfriends.org/files/action.html

Now, for some news.

The Barnes Foundation was the cover story of an article in a great regional publication -- LifeStyle Magazine -- called, "Will the Barnes Foundation Stay Put?" by Maryanna S. Phinn. This is the first time a widely-distributed publication has profiled Friends of the Barnes and the article is superbly written. To read it on line, go to the following link. Don't forget to cast your vote on the "stars" system you will find near the top of the page.

http://www.lifestylemagazineinc.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=181&Itemid=101

The Main Line Times published a front page story about the unified letter urging Pennsylvania Attorney General Tom Corbett to "get with the program" of protecting the Barnes Foundation. You can see the article and the press release, including the text of the letter to Tom Corbett signed by the Montgomery County Commissioners, U.S. Representative Jim Gerlach, and Lower Merion Township Commissioner Brian Gordon on our website. (See the sidebar on the right for Latest News.) http://www.barnesfriends.org

The National Historic Landmarks Program has written back to us with a very encouraging response, saying they would be "pleased to consider" the Barnes Foundation for National Historic Landmarks status. This follows the preliminary assessment we commissioned of the Barnes Fondation. The assessment refers to an intact site in Merion, including the grounds, gallery buildings, and art collections. Of course, an application would need the support of the Barnes Foundation Board. We have sent a letter to Bernard Watson, head of the Board of Trustees of the Barnes Foundation, urging him to take this opportunity to have an intact Barnes Foundation officially recognized as a national cultural treasure. To date, no reply from the Barnes Foundation has been received. You can see the Press Release covering this development on our website. (See the sidebar on the right for link to the press release.)
http://www.barnesfriends.org

We ask that you check on the website home page for latest developments regarding the submission of the petition to the Montgomery County Orphans' Court. This will be the quickest way to let people know about the rally at the Barnes that will take place at the time of the submission.

That's all for now. Thank you again for your steady support and interest.

With warm regards,

Nancy Herman
for Friends of the Barnes Foundation

"Never doubt that a small group of caring, committed citizens can change the world. In deed it's the only thing that ever has." Margaret Mead