Last evening (April 4, 2023), the Wicomico County Council invited Salisbury University Provost Karen Olmstead, Vice President Eli Modlin, and Vice President Eric Berkheimer to address ongoing issues surrounding the planned closure of the Ward Museum on Schumaker Pond in Salisbury and the removal of its wildfowl contents to a smaller leased space in the former Vernon Powell building on West Main Street in downtown Salisbury.  Council President John Cannon allowed for individual statements by attending members of the public, in addition to the presentation of a video celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Ward Museum and remarks by local residents Richard Insely and myself.  

The room overflowed with a crowd that had but standing room only once the initial seats were occupied.  This is the first time that the public have had the opportunity to express their reaction to the planned move. Those who attended have expressed much appreciation to the President and members of the County Council.

The purpose of the meting was to hear explanations of the steps that Salisbury University have been undertaking as well as community concerns regarding the nature and speed of the move.  That was well accomplished, even if what next steps are still very much undecided.  

It is not at all clear that the University has any intention to revisit its decision to close the museum.  It also is not clear that the community will be satisfied by the dismemberment of the wildfowl art collection and closing of the Ward Museum.  

While the County Council may choose to form a Task Force to examine alternatives to the present plan, it has but limited jurisdiction over what is essentially an issue involving the State of Maryland, which owns the property and whose management has been under the control and ownership of Salisbury University since 2000.  For this reason, ongoing efforts to review the planned move will be needed if a solution is to be found to preserve the museum at its present location and to help the University to address its concerns over budgetary constraints.

What has been clear is the University decision to terminate its relationship with the Ward Foundation and that it has thwarted efforts to hold this year's World Championship Competition. While it hastily fired the museum staff a few days ago, it later promised them employment within the University plan to relocate the collection.  

COVID has wreaked damage to both the University and to the Ward Museum.  Enrollments at SU have declined since the onset of the pandemic, as have visits to the Ward Museum, which was forced to close its doors for over two years.  It is time to revisit the decision to relocate the museum and to find a path that meets University concerns over enrollments and revenues while preserving the Ward Museum at its present location on Schumaker Pond. 

One way for this to take place is to recognize the Ward Museum Foundation Board as a legitimate community partner in managing the museum on Schumaker Pond, to enlist members who can actively solicit membership contributions at a more sustainable level, and to undertake vigorous fundraising that can ease the financial burden on Salisbury University.  This can be successful only through an openly transparent process of accountability in which mutual trust can be the basis of any steps forward. As public awareness of the Ward Museum grows with each passing day, it is time for a reinvigorated community engagement to intervene to save the Ward Museum.
 

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