I have it from an inside reliable source that the Children of Shenandoah's artifacts (from our mountain ancestors) are going to be moved to a museum in Winchester!! They include such things as spinning wheels, wooden baby rocking beds, ceramics, hand made graters, etc.- all from our ancestors. What I would like to know is first of all, how did Shenandoah National Park acquire these things? I'm sure the mountain people did not give them up willingly. Our people worked hard for what they had. I must assume they were forcibly taken as our ancestors were forcibly removed. Why is it we aren't even allowed to see these things but yet they are ready to move them to Winchester without our knowledge. Some of our artifacts are at the Rapphannock Historical Society, on loan for 5 years, which I don't object to. They will be well cared for there. They should be kept in our 8 county area of Madison, Rapphannock, Warren, Albermarle, Rockingham, Page, Green and Augusta. Why weren't we notified? Our oral histories are already at JMU and now they want to send our artifacts away. It appears that Shenandoah National Park still wants to rid themselves of all remnants of our people. Give these artifacts back to us, they belong to us anyway. We must rise up and protest! and loudly! Look for a petition to be signed on the Children of Shenandoah web site soon! This will be taken under legislation! Meantime, please write or call Congressman Wolf at the following: Washington Office 241 Cannon Building Washington, DC 20515 (202) 225-5136 (202) 225-0437 fax He has an office in Winchester also, and I plan to call to make an appointment. If anyone else is interested, please contact me directly for now. Carol P. Laing [email protected] http://www.usgennet.org/usa/va/shenan/ http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ChildrenoftheShenandoah