A University professor is leading the fight against Mad Hatter rides in Manassas.
Walt Disney Inc. recently proposed building a 300,000-acre historical theme park 100 miles west of Washington, D.C., and five miles from a Civil War battlefield in Manassas, Virginia, where the Battle of Haymarket occurred. However, the Association to Protect Historic America, co-chaired by John Hope Franklin, James B. Duke professor emeritus of history, is protesting Disney's plan.
Disney's goal for the park, named Disney's America, is to bring American history to life, to celebrate American diversity, and to help people learn more about history, said Mary Anne Reynolds, a spokesperson for Disney.
"For people to learn, they must be delighted and entertained--we can make that happen," Reynolds said.
The Association to Preserve Historic America, a group that tries to prevent historic areas from becoming too commercialized, is concerned that Disney will not maintain the integrity of the historical area. "They claim that they'll preserve the historical themes and values in that area. We have our doubts about that," Franklin said.
However, Reynolds said that those protesting the park are issuing a rash judgment on it.
"Anytime someone approaches an idea in a new way, there's always an uproar," Reynolds said. "When Stephen Spielberg, the creator of E.T., said that he was going to do Schindler's List,' everyone saidno, you're a fantasy producer, you can't do that.' When the Holocaust museum was in its beginning stages people opposed it too. Disney wants to tell the American story, and now people say we can't do it."
The park will be one-tenth the size of Disney World and may not use popular Disney characters such as Mickey Mouse, Reynolds said.
Because the proposed site for the park is privately owned, there is no existing statute to prevent commercial development. James McPherson, president of the association, said that the group is not trying to lobby for a new statute, but instead for a review of all existing transportation, environmental, and clean air laws that the Disney venture may violate.
Democratic Sen. Chuck Robb of Virginia is also concerned about adverse side effects the park might have on the surrounding environment, said Suzanne Dablowski, a spokesperson from Robb's office.
Disney said it is taking pains to ensure that the battleground will not be devalued and is also following height restrictions so the park cannot be seen from the battlefield.
But McPherson claims the park will ruin the land and roads near the battlefield site. There are three major roads that run through and along the borders of Manassas.
"There is no question that this kind of development will create a kind of junkyard, and traffic will increase exponentially. That kind of impact is bound to deteriorate this kind of path," he said.
C. Vann Woodward, professor emeritus at Yale University, and co-chair of the association, agrees with McPherson.
"The Virginia assembly will do anything to promote traffic and funds including the desecration of the state`s most historic monument," Woodward said. "The Virginia legislature has taken steps and appropriated funds to assist this terrible thing. I'm disgusted with them. I hope the federal government will do something to stop them."
Disney said that they found in numerous surveys that almost 70 percent of Virginians are in favor of the theme park. The park will bring 2,700 jobs onsight and 19,000 jobs statewide, Reynolds said. Disney also hopes to draw five to six million new visitors to the area each year, she said.
Despite Disney's enthusiasm, Frances Hall, a member of the United Daughters of the Confederacy and the Daughters of the American Revolution, said she is opposed to the venture.
"As direct descendents, it's really important to us to preserve our heritage, not only for the historical emphasis, but out of respect for our ancestors," Hall said.
The Association to Protect Historic America is currently implementing a "harrassing" publicity campaign to further its cause, McPherson said. They hope to convince congressmen to hold hearings on the Disney proposal, as well as send information to history department chairs at every college and university nationwide.
"Northern Virginia does not need a Disney theme park to enhance it's value; it's already extremely valuable," Franklin said. "I hope that Disney will go someplace else."
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