This just in: The Norman Rockwell Museum is the one lone hold out in supporting the biography of Norman Rockwell by Deborah Solomon, "American Mirror". All Norman Rockwell authorities and experts that we are aware of repudiate the book completely; Curtis Licensing (Saturday Evening Post), the Cutlers of the National Museum of American Illustration, et al, have disavowed the biography as a whole, for its lack of scholarship and false, fictionalized portrait of Rockwell. The response from the Norman Rockwell Museum: they refuse to even meet with my father and me. A non-profit institution that exists as a "forum for respectful and well-informed scholarship" refusing to hear comprehensive and thorough scholarship on a biography they brashly and pompously endorsed? The Museum is not a private institution, they owe their members and the public a further explanation for their epic failure to protect the legacy of Norman Rockwell, the true story of the man and his work. To feebly attempt to hide behind "free speech" in the face of the falsified sources and lack of scholarship in Deborah Solomon's book; the Museum's stance speaks volumes. In their most recent press release on August 16th to NEPR (New England Public Radio) the Museum simply parroted the feckless words of Laurie Norton Moffatt, stating: "The 2013 Solomon biography is one of a long line of books about Norman Rockwell. We anticipate that the art and life of this important American artist will continue to be of great interest and importance, as well as debate. We can find value in something even when we don’t agree with all of its content. The Solomon biography makes a significant contribution to Rockwell studies, and while we don’t agree with everything in the book, we respect the author’s right to her opinions and their expression." It is remarkable that apparently none of the Executive Board members or their Director have the real character and integrity to meet this ongoing firestorm over the Solomon book with humility, responsibility, intelligence and forthrightness. Only an institution with a lot to hide acts in this way. The Director, Laurie Norton Moffatt, who has been at the Museum for almost thirty years, who doesn't even have a Masters in Art, has somehow unprecedented, unchecked autonomy at the Museum that exists only for the preservation of the legacy of Norman Rockwell. Irresponsibility comes in all forms. Again, your passion and willingness to join our petition, our cause, has meant more to us than you know. It is heartening that there so many sensible, honorable, discerning people from around the world who can behold an injustice and want to speak out and do something about it by signing this petition. Each of you has made a difference. This petition and fight for truth will always be a part of the history of the Museum -- the Board Members who have eschewed their responsibility and duty toward Norman Rockwell will never be able to outrun what they have done in the face of the greatest public controversy that the Museum has had to face in its almost 50 years of existence. Their questionable actions will be remembered. And we know now that the Director and the others running the Norman Rockwell Museum are certainly not the authoritative and definitive voice for Norman Rockwell. Simply put, the Museum’s refusal even to meet us is an abdication of their mission to protect and enhance the legacy of Norman Rockwell. It is intellectual cowardice. Executive Board Members: Alice Carter Robert Horvath Jamie Williamson John V. Frank Peter Chase Williams Your names will be remembered. Our decisions are our legacy. Blessings to all of you, Abigail and Tom “Love Ouanga,” American Magazine, 1936 (Courtesy Norman Rockwell Family Agency) On display at the National Museum of American Illustration in Rhode Island.