By Glenn Rolfe

GEORGETOWN — Georgetown Historical Society’s funding request for projects at the Nutter Marvel Museum has been granted, and a symbol of Civil War Confederacy will continue to fly on the museum’s spacious grounds.

At least for now.

In an agreement reached Monday night following a wave of opposition to the Delaware Grays Sons of Confederate Veterans Camp 2086’s flag and monument site on museum property, council cast uanimous approval, contingent upon the formation of a committee to address options and the possibility of the rebel flag being removed.

Councilwoman Angela Townsend’s motion was that council approve the $24,750 request for the specified improvements to the Marvel Museum and with that “a committee would be formed to address the concerns, whether it is the monument and the flag, or just the flag, or the monument.”

“Let’s get the money because it is needed and we can move forward,” said Ms. Townsend.

The vast majority of more than 30 correspondences received by the town and comments from those in person and online called for the removal of the Confederate flag, which opponents labeled a sign of hatred, slavery, traitors and evil. It was noted only six of those letters were from actual Georgetown residents.

“You got the money. Let’s show good faith,” said Georgetown Mayor Bill West. “You heard what the people said tonight. Whether they are in town or out of town, they are the citizens of Sussex County. And this the county seat. So, we’ve got to work together to come up with a plan to take care of this problem.”

“I have no problem discussing this,” said Georgetown Historical Society President Jim Bowden. “We can sit down and talk and see if we can’t work out a path forward.”

“I trust you (Mr. Bowden),” said Councilwoman Christina Diaz Malone. “All we need is some memorandum of understanding that outlines who and when. I trust you, and I trust my community that we will do the right thing.”

“We’ll go with the discussion afterwards, and see where it goes,” Mr. Bowden said.

“Exactly,” said Ms. Diaz Malone.

Several opponents suggested that the flag be removed from outside public view and placed inside one of the museum’s buildings.

Two weeks ago, the historical society’s request for funds died when mayor and council’s vote ended in 2-2 stalemate. Mayor West and Mr. Diaz Malone opposed. Ms. Townsend and Penuel Barrett supported the request. Councilwoman Sue Barlow was absent at the July 11 meeting.

County was at full strength Monday night.

The society’s request for $24,750 from the town’s GREAT (Georgetown Recreation Education and Arts Trust) funding will support much-needed project, including sealing and striping the blacktop parking lot and replacement of deteriorated window sashes in the blacksmith shop.

Funding will also go for a new floor and conversion of the Workman Barn to showcase the World’s Largest Frying Pan from the Delmarva Chicken Festival. The niche will include history on the years the festival was in Georgetown, including the very first Delmarva Chicken Festival held in 1949, Mr. Bowden said.

The next step is to assemble the working group committee.

The monument, on property owned by the society, has been there since 2007 and it is maintained by the Delaware Grays Sons of Confederate Veterans Camp 2068, not the Marvel Museum or Georgetown Historical Society.

The monument includes two flag poles — one with the state of Delaware flag and the other one of the many Southern flags that confederate soldiers fought under.

In 2020,  the Georgetown Historical Society had its state funding pulled after Sen. Trey Paradee, D-Dover, objected to the monument and flag displayed on museum grounds. The society received about $14,000 in fiscal year 2019.

Besides individuals, the society’s request was opposed by several organizations, including the Southern Delaware Alliance for Social Justice, Common Core Delaware and the NAACP.

“No. 1, 142 years after the Civil War ended that flag went up there,” said Southern Delaware Alliance for Racial Justice member Joe Lawson of Lewes. “We were fine for 142 years without that flag. It’s only been up for 15 years. It can come down and we will be fine.”'

Mr. Barrett said the crux of matter is the Marvel Museum is "asking for money, but the town – and I have lived in town for almost 30 years – they never said no to the town."

"I agree, the Marvel Museum needs the funding, the $24,750," Ms. Townsend said. "Perhaps Jim can work with the organization out there, the Confederacy. Maybe they will take the flag down. Maybe they will get a smaller flag. I don’t know what the solution is but all I know is the Marvel Museum needs the funding. The Marvel Museum has always helped the town and now they need our help.”