There’s a treasure in our midst

Re “Spirits Not Dampened” (April 10): The most prized piece of the Southwest Museum’s collection is the museum building itself. For more than 90 years this museum has been a highlight for schoolchildren who have discovered a love of history by venturing into the “magic castle” on the hill.

Now a new $25-million Gold Line station at the foot of the museum makes it easily accessible. Also, an LAUSD “museum magnet” school is one block away and attracts students from throughout Los Angeles to have hands-on experience at the museum.

One thing teachers know about is sharing. To remove everything to the Autry in Griffith Park is to leave millions of students unable to enjoy this treasure.

Nancy Smith

Los Angeles

Nancy Smith is a retired LAUSD teacher.

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Let’s not confuse the short-term gains of conservation with the long-term issue of the future of one of the most important institutions of its kind in the American West, the Southwest Museum.

The historic buildings, including the Casa de Adobe, are the largest gems of the collection and inseparable from it. All that Friends of the Southwest Museum Coalition asks is that the board of the Autry National Center fulfill its fiduciary duty to the people of Los Angeles and its original inhabitants to preserve and protect both museums under the new name of the Autry National Center. This was the intent of the Autry/Southwest Museum merger, yet somehow that intent seems now to be lost.

Nicole Possert

Los Angeles

Nicole Possert is the chair of Friends of the Southwest Museum Coalition.