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A major museum acquisition makes SMU a global center of Methodist history
The World Methodist Museum collection moves to Dallas.
A lighted cross stands at a Methodist retreat area at Lake Junaluska in North Carolina.(Anthony Elia/Special contributor)
By Anthony J. Elia
This column is part of our ongoing Opinion commentary on faith, called
“Junaluska’s contributions to our cultural life will be as flexible and adaptable as the Christian spirit.”
In January 1950, Mason Crum, a professor of religion at Duke University, penned these final words to the preface of his book
The Story of Lake Junaluska. The curious simplicity and beauty of the resort town in the western Carolina Smoky Mountains easily captivates the wayfarer, passerby, or motoring tourist.
DALLAS (SMU) – Bridwell Library (Perkins School of Theology and SMU Libraries) at Southern Methodist University has been named the recipient of the collections of the recently closed World Methodist Council Museum in Lake Junaluska, N.C. The announcement was made by the World Methodist Council (WMC) Archival Committee on April 1, 2021. The entire collection will be given and transferred to Bridwell Library at SMU by May 15, 2021.
“I am relieved and excited that the collection will remain intact and under the care of the Bridwell Library,” said Robert Williams, Retired General Secretary of the United Methodist Church General Commission on Archives and History, who assisted with the deaccessioning of the museum. “All who care about this collection can be confident that its future impact for faithful ministry in the Wesleyan tradition is assured.”