Supporters of the Banneker-Douglass Museum urged the Maryland Legislative Black Caucus yesterday to investigate the recent firing of museum Executive Director Ronald L. Sharps.
Appearing before the caucus' executive committee, supporters reaffirmed their belief that the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development fired Sharps as part of a bigger effort to close the Annapolis museum.
Members of the Banneker-Douglass Museum Foundation and Friends of the Banneker-Douglass Museum asked the caucus to help Sharps get his job back.
"We feel Dr. Sharps is key to the success of Banneker-Douglass, and that is why we are asking for his reinstatement," said foundation President Joyce A. Black. "His evaluations do not reflect the department's excuse for firing him on grounds of 'ineffective management.' We see the smoking gun in all this: the closing of the museum."
Since he was notified of his dismissal two weeks ago -- his last official day of work was Tuesday -- Sharps has filed an appeal with the department, and museum supporters have launched a campaign on his behalf that included a candlelight protest at the State House, an appearance before the city council that resulted in a resolution of support, and the meeting with the Black Caucus.
The museum is in Mount Moriah African Methodist Episcopal Church, which was built in 1874 and saved from demolition in the 1970s. The museum is named for self-taught mathematician, astronomer and surveyor Benjamin Banneker and for abolitionist and writer Frederick Douglass.
Supporters say they think the state is trying to cut off the nearly $400,000 a year that goes to the museum in order to give the money to a proposed $19 million African-American history museum at Baltimore's Inner Harbor.
Department Secretary Patricia J. Payne declined to discuss personnel issues, but said, "There are no plans, I repeat, no plans or intentions to close the museum. We have always been committed to the Banneker-Douglass Museum as a separate facility. I don't understand why this is still an issue."
Gov. Parris N. Glendening repeated the same sentiments in a letter May 8 to foundation members and cited a $2.8 million expansion plan for the museum. He also said, "The personnel action regarding Dr. Sharps has nothing to do with the future of the museum and is a totally unrelated matter."
