I am a native Memphian and recall the Civil War section of the old Pink Palace museum. I remember, as well looking at the substantial collection of artifacts housed at the old museum. At one point, I asked a friend at the museum about what had happened to some of the old relics and was told that many had been placed in storage and a few had "walked off". Someone may correct me on this board, as I know it only from hearsay, but it is my understanding that the Colt revolvers attributed to Nathan Bedford Forrest, which were a part of the collection were stolen, due to poor security and no recording of the serial numbers had ever been made, so they are lost forever.

I don't know if you recall a group of dioramas that depicted the battle of Memphis, the Hornet's Nest at Shiloh, an Indian Village visited by DeSoto and a fort (Prudhomme?) that originally stood where Memphis is now located. As a kid I had looked at these things for hours. Unfortunately, when I was taken to the basement of the old Pink Palace, I found these dioramas cast haphazardly about and on top of one another. The person showing me around said take them if you want them, so I grabbed a couple of them, and kept them for a while with an intention to possibly restore them and donate to someone interested. Unfortunately, they were too badly damaged.

I'd like to hear comments from others as to the items they recall from the "old collection" and ask for some input on what happened to these items.

Jim