Judge Orders National Slavery Museum Property Sold

A judge has ordered the National Slavery Museum's Fredericksburg property be sold for unpaid taxes.

Circuit Court Judge Joseph Ellis issued the ruling September 25.  An auction could occur within 30 days.

Ron Rosner, founder of the Rosner Auto Group in Fredericksburg, offered $1.5 million for the 38-acre property at a court hearing September 4, according to the Richmond Times Dispatch.  A deal was not reached before today's decision.  Rosner wants to purchase the property for the Hagerstown Suns multi-use stadium complex. 

Attorneys said after today's hearing they believe talks could continue and a deal could be reached before an auction takes place, according to the Richmond Times Dispatch.

The planned museum, which was never built due to lack of funding, owes the city of Fredericksburg more than $350,000 in unpaid taxes.

Museum founder Gov. L. Douglas Wilder is considering an appeal of the judge's decision or a second bankruptcy filing.

Related Stories:

Slavery Museum Considering Options to Stop Sale of Property (Sept. 9, 2013)
Council Gives Full Support to Suns', Diamond Nation Proposal (Aug. 27, 2013)
Judge Delays Slavery Museum Hearing, Auction Decision (March 11, 2013)
City Officials Giving Up on Slavery Museum (June 3, 2012)
Judge Upholds Restrictions on Slavery Museum Land (Dec. 11, 2012)
Times-Dispatch: Slavery Museum Faces Tax Sale (Dec. 26, 2010)

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