Hello, I am not one to send bulk emails, but like many of you I have been distressed over the future of the Old Slave House, located in Gallatin County, since it was closed by the Sisk family about seven years ago. The State of Illinois purchased the 1834 home in 2000, and its furnishings in 2003. Unfortunately, the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency, the agency given dominion over the property, has no money to open the home, and does not have the legal authority to partner with any non-profit or private company to get the place going. Tonight I attended a meeting in Eldorado where Jon Musgrave, long a researcher about the controversial property, set forth an action plan. You can read the plan and the history of the home at http://www.illinoishistory.com/ . Please look at this, and if you agree with his ideas give the governor and your local elected officials a call. To get the house back in business it will take grassroots support from all over Southern Illinois. Cindy Birk Conley Carmi, IL