FBF Files Petition Before Orphans' Court

This morning, Mark D. Schwartz, attorney for the Friends of the Barnes Foundation filed a petition before Montgomery County Orphans' Court. The petition requests that the Court order hearings to consider rescinding its order of December 2004, in which it granted permission to the Barnes Foundation to move its gallery art collection to a location on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway in Philadelphia. It also calls for the removal of the Barnes Foundation's board members and putting the Foundation into receivership.

At noon, an event was held at 275 N. Latch's Lane, the home of FBF members Nancy and Walter Herman, to announce the filing. Jay Raymond made the opening remarks and introduced the other speakers. Those speakers were: Mark Schwartz, State Representative Mike Gerber (whose district includes the Barnes), State Representative Daylin Leach, and president of the Merion Civic Association Margot Flaks. A representative from Congressman Jim Gerlach's office was also in attendance and a statement of support from Rep. Gerlach was read.

Mr. Raymonds' remarks were as follows:

"Our region has been the beneficiary of many great gifts, beginning with the founding of our country. Across the street sits one of those gifts, which is among the greatest and most generous given to this region. Anyone who has spent time on those grounds and in those galleries knows that what Albert Barnes created cannot be recreated. To claim that it can, and that it will better serve Barnes’ intent, is the claim of an impoverished mind.

There is no alternative to a Barnes in Merion. It is already understood, that no matter how beautiful and prestigious a new container for the paintings would be, a Barnes on the Parkway will never be the work of art that Albert Barnes created, but will be the work of vandalism that others created.

A Barnes in Merion will foster a healthy regional economy. A Barnes in Merion will save hundreds of millions of dollars that could be spent supporting our local cash-strapped cultural community. A Barnes in Merion will draw visitors from outside our region who are seeking the real thing. A Barnes in Merion could be designated a National Historic Landmark. Finally, a Barnes in Merion will continue to serve the intent and purpose of this incalculable gift, education, education in its most profound form.

We are here today to announce that a deal that has never been close to done, is coming undone. We trust that the Courts will recognize that circumstances now exist, which did not exist before, that make it simple and straightforward for the Barnes Foundation to secure itself right where it belongs, on Latch’s Lane in Merion, PA."