ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Wednesday, February 21, 1996 TAG: 9602210061
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-3 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
DATELINE: RICHMOND
SOURCE: Associated Press
Tickets to a costume ball to benefit the Museum of the Confederacy sold out quickly after the event drew national attention, including the criticism of former Gov. Douglas Wilder.
Before the criticism on national television last week from Wilder, a grandson of slaves who became the nation's first elected black governor, organizers of the museum's 100th anniversary bash had sold about 200 tickets and hoped to sell another 100. The museum mailed out 1,500 ball invitations. Tickets cost $75 per couple.
Since last Wednesday, when Wilder said on the NBC ``Today'' show that the Bonnie Blue Centennial Ball perpetuates a ``magnolia mentality'' that glorifies secession and the horror of slavery, 300 tickets have been snatched up. The Bonnie Blue flag was a Confederate standard.
Organizers expect 500 people from around the country to show up Saturday night at Tredegar Iron Works Gun Foundry.
``We wanted the press, but not quite like this,'' said Janine Charbeneau, the museum's director of marketing and public relations. ``People were learning about it who might not have known about the ball, except for the publicity.''
Wilder said he was not surprised by the ticket sales. There are growing numbers of people in the country who would like to ``hang on to the past,'' he said.
``I am convinced that the vast majority of Richmonders and Virginians reject a celebration of what was an inglorious past,'' Wilder said. ``They respect the rights of those who died and who fought for whatever cause they did. That is their right. To celebrate is quite different.''
LENGTH: Short : 40 linesby CNB