"Where would we start on the above activities???"
George,
I am involved with the Daughters of Union Veterans in expanding their facilites. The present building is about 40+ years old and in good shape but to small for all the stuff they have. They are actually located in a resedential neoghborhood and the house next door to the present location came on to the market. It is a very fine 100 year old,two story home with a full basement (very dry basement). They were able to buy it with in their budget which is a good thing. Before the sale they were able to find a lawyer to do the zoning and property purchase pro bono and to find an architect that would help them with the planniing and afix his seal to the plans which the city would require. They had to change the zoning from residential to educational ( I think that is what it was called). As you know that requires some legal work. Since it is open to the public it would be in the same class as a theater or church building in terms of saftey. That required the architect. I would think that it should be about the same in Montgomery or any large city. And the facility would have to comply with the American Disabilities Act. So it it were me, I would try to find some professionals who can help you for free or for little of nothing to get your ducks lined up in terms of preliminalry plans and after that I am sure you could have some fund rasiers to get enough to at least qualify for a loan from the bank. I should add that DUV is going to expand their displays and move all the research materials and the National office next door in the new building. FC