Atlanta History Center Lays Off Most of Margaret Mitchell House Staff
The AJC reports that 7 of 8 staff members at the Margaret Mitchell staff have been cut. The Atlanta History Center, which oversees the Margaret Mitchell House, let go 15 members of its 74 person staff.
Wow. What a bummer.
I mean no disrespect to the Atlanta History Center — they are a fine institution — but this is one reason why I never seriously consider the many suggestions that the Wren’s Nest should try to align itself with them (or any other large institution).
Many have told me that the Wren’s Nest will never be able to survive on its own. Fundraising for house museums is too challenging or we’re on the wrong side of town or not enough people care about Joel Chandler Harris or whatever.
And maybe some of that is true, but Margaret Mitchell wrote the best selling book this side of the Bible and her house sits in the heart of Atlanta’s signature boulevard. If they can’t maintain a staff with the Atlanta History Center, there’s no way we’d be able to.
The article stresses that the house isn’t closing. The staff of the History Center will merely manage the Margaret Mitchell House and “the public won’t even notice the transition.” Maybe so, but I’ll bet that the seven employees who have dedicated themselves to the Margaret Mitchell House sure will.
On behalf of the Wren’s Nest, I’d like to wish the staff, past and present, of the Margaret Mitchell House all the best. Y’all have been a great inspiration, and we have enjoyed stealing many of your ideas over the past few years.
Related:
- Margaret Mitchell House Land Sale Approved
- Atlanta History Center to Acquire the Wren’s Nest, Move It To Buckhead
- The Southern Literary Trail
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Amber Suitt
Program Director
Lain Shakespeare
Executive Director
9 Comments to Atlanta History Center Lays Off Most of Margaret Mitchell House Staff
Quite a shame and a disheartening sign of the times. i hope the staff members that were let go land on their feet. And when they do…let’s invite them to join our board!!
I don’t believe the History Center has any commitment to, or interest in the south part of the city. It abandoned its office at Margaret Mitchell Square and given up its presence at Underground Atlanta. They just sold a parcel of land adjacent to the MMh for $7 mil – if they had been commited to the MMH, they could have used that money for operating – The current MMH is not the original apartment – and does not even faintly resemble that apartment. They could move the exhibit to their buckhead center and sell the house (since there is nothing historic about it).
As a member of the Margaret Mitchell House and Museum, I am as saddened by the loss of staff as you are. I couldn’t accept they would shut down operations or really do business with one staff member as the article says. What can I say, I’m a media skeptic. So, I called the history center and they made it clear that the doors of the house would not close, tours will still be given as usual, and that the remaining staff will oversee programming at the lit center. They do have full operational support from the remaining 59 staff who will be working to support the history center and Margaret Mitchell house and museum. This is a hard time for ALL cultural arts within this city, I believe now is the time for all of us to pull together and continue to show support – NOT kick people while they are down. I will continue my membership with the Margaret Mitchell House and those who feel as strongly as you do, should also consider joining. Only together can we all pull through this tough economic times.
It’s never good when something like this happens, but when you have multi-billion dollar companies going bankrupt every day, how can we expect cultural attractions that rely on funding from these companies to stay afloat? I say thank goodness the Atlanta History Center has the Mitchell House and can still staff it. Can you imagine where the Mitchell House Museum would be right now if it did not have a larger museum operating it and backing it up? It probably would have been closed down by now. And I’m sure the History Center exhausted every other possible avenue before they finally did what they did.
I say good luck to them, and I hope everything works out for the best.
Travis, I don’t disagree with you and I wish the Atlanta History Center and the Margaret Mitchell House nothing but the best. The MMH wouldn’t be what it is today without the Atlanta History Center, I’m sure.
And as the article states, this staffing change was according to their long-range plan …granted that the plan was significantly expedited due to the economy. I don’t know from experience, but I can assume that a multi-million dollar loss in your endowment will tend to facilitate change, and quick.
Even so, I think the percentage of the layoffs at the MMH is what’s staggering (relative to that at the History Center). From what I’ve heard, they only retained the employee that manages the retail portion.
Perhaps from an organizational point of view, this makes sense. But from a P.R. point of view, that sends a weird and disheartening message. But maybe that’s what they’re going for, who knows.
But once again — I’m with you and Laura N. Now is the time to support the Margaret Mitchell House. I just wish that I knew at least two of the people there now.
Lain,
I agree that its a little strange that they got rid of all but one employee, but at the same time, if they had duplicate positions between both places, and they had to cut costs, it makes sense to keep most of their employees in the main museum and not have two people doing what could conceivably be one job. Its just really sad to see it come to this. The economy just stinks right now.
Thanks for sharing this story though.
This does not come as surprise.
I would love for all the past so called “Managers” & ” Directors” to be asked about their experience working for “Mary Rose Taylor” at the Margaret Mitchell House.
It was probably the worst employment experience I have
eveeeerrrrr had in my 32 professional and volunteer career years. So much so, I vowed neeeeeverrr, eeeeeeeveeeeer to work for anyone again.
With all the things she possess, I honestly feel there is a huge void in her life that is pure emptiness.
However, I will defend her good contributions mentioned in this blog.
I am not a disgruntled employee. I really and truly loved the responsibilities of my work. I am simply calling it as it is.
To the benefit of Atlanta, I truly hope May Mary Rose Taylor continues the good works she is so capable doing. Atlanta, GA is the beneficiary.
PS Please challenge me in your blogs. I will be so happy to respond and defend my comments.
A swinger of Birches, I’ve got nothing to challenge.
My only point is that I’d rather not have the Wren’s Nest be controlled by a larger entity. Interesting perspective, though.