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Questions swirl about slavery museum

Donors are wondering what happened to plans for a U.S. National Slavery Museum in Fredericksburg announced nearly 20 years ago.

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Therbia Parker in his kitchen in Suffolk, Va., with items similar to the 95 artifacts he donated to the planned U.S. National Slavery Museum. He says he can't get the foundation to return the artifacts, valued at $75,000.

Jay Paul / For The Washington Post

Items similar to the artifacts Therbia Parker donated to the planned U.S. National Slavery Museum.

Items similar to the artifacts Therbia Parker donated to the planned U.S. National Slavery Museum.

Jay Paul / For The Washington Post

Therbia Parker holds 'Sprinkling Sambo,' made by Firestone Tire and Rubber in the 1940s to 1950s. Parker says he can’t get a foundation to return similar artifacts he donated to the planned U.S. National Slavery Museum.

Therbia Parker holds "Sprinkling Sambo," made by Firestone Tire and Rubber in the 1940s to 1950s. Parker says he can’t get a foundation to return similar artifacts he donated to the planned U.S. National Slavery Museum.

Jay Paul / For The Washington Post

Parker holds a slave tag from 1823, part of his collection of artifacts.

Parker holds a slave tag from 1823, part of his collection of artifacts.

Jay Paul / For The Washington Post

A bank from the 1940s in Parker’s collection of artifacts.

A bank from the 1940s in Parker’s collection of artifacts.

Jay Paul / For The Washington Post

Therbia Parker holds slave shackles from the 1850s and a cement figure similar to items he donated for the U.S. National Slavery Museum. The museum filed for bankruptcy this fall. Firms including architects, movers, designers, lawyers and accountants have filed claims totaling more than $7 million.

Therbia Parker holds slave shackles from the 1850s and a cement figure similar to items he donated for the U.S. National Slavery Museum. The museum filed for bankruptcy this fall. Firms including architects, movers, designers, lawyers and accountants have filed claims totaling more than $7 million.

Jay Paul / For The Washington Post

The Spirit of Freedom sculpture garden, part of the planned U.S. National Slavery Museum in Fredericksburg, is in disrepair with broken fencing, damaged signs and overgrown grass.

The Spirit of Freedom sculpture garden, part of the planned U.S. National Slavery Museum in Fredericksburg, is in disrepair with broken fencing, damaged signs and overgrown grass.

Bonnie Jo Mount / The Washington Post

A sculpture at the Spirit of Freedom sculpture garden, part of the planned U.S. National Slavery Museum in Fredericksburg.

A sculpture at the Spirit of Freedom sculpture garden, part of the planned U.S. National Slavery Museum in Fredericksburg.

Bonnie Jo Mount / The Washington Post

The Spirit of Freedom sculpture garden, part of the planned U.S. National Slavery Museum in Fredericksburg. In U.S. bankruptcy court in January, an attorney for the museum said an accountant would have a plan by the end of February to reorganize, pay creditors and renew efforts to build the museum.

The Spirit of Freedom sculpture garden, part of the planned U.S. National Slavery Museum in Fredericksburg. In U.S. bankruptcy court in January, an attorney for the museum said an accountant would have a plan by the end of February to reorganize, pay creditors and renew efforts to build the museum.

Bonnie Jo Mount / The Washington Post

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